What Is Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver disease can result when too much fat builds up in your liver. While a small amount of fat is normal, problems often develop when fats compose more than 5% to 10% of your liver's weight. Two types of fatty liver disease cause issues: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). As the names suggest, these forms differ based on your use or abuse of alcohol. Both types, however, can lead to significant problems, including inflammation, scarring and even liver failure when left untreated. Advanced stages of NAFLD, called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cause lasting damage and increase your risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Why Older Adults Should Pay Attention

Aging affects how your liver metabolizes fats and toxins. Even if you've lived a healthy life before joining an assisted living community, age alone can increase your vulnerability. Seniors with other health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure, face even higher risks of developing NAFLD. If left unchecked, the disease can progress silently, eventually compromising liver function and your overall health. Some symptoms to look for include:

• Fatigue or low energy levels
• Discomfort or dull pain in your upper-right abdomen
• Unexplained weight loss
• Feeling full after small meals

What Increases Your Health Risk?

Several lifestyle and health factors contribute to NAFLD. Knowing these risks can help you take control and make smarter daily choices. Contributors to fatty liver disease risks include:

• Excess weight or obesity
• High triglycerides or LDL cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
• High blood pressure
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Processed foods with added sugars
• Heavy alcohol consumption (for AFLD)

Lowering Fatty Liver Disease Risks

While you can't control aging, changing your lifestyle and habits can prevent fatty liver disease, whether you live on your own or in an assisted living community like Bethesda Gardens Fort Worth in Texas. The main one? Limit your alcohol consumption or avoid drinking altogether. These other strategies can help protect your liver and improve your overall health.

Clean Up Your Diet

Eat whole foods to fuel your body without overloading your liver. Support digestion and liver function with fiber-rich foods, including whole grains, vegetables and legumes. By contrast, foods like sodas, pastries and processed snacks contribute to fat buildup in the liver, so replace them with fresh fruit and dark chocolate in moderation. Limit refined carbs such as bread, pasta and rice to reduce blood sugar spikes and fat storage triggers, and embrace healthy fats like avocados, olive oil and nuts. Lastly, reduce red meat consumption, opting for fish, chicken and plant-based proteins.

Exercise Every Day

Physical activity activates your metabolism and burns excess fat in your liver. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days with activities like briskly walking around your neighborhood, trying out water aerobics to improve your mobility or dancing to your favorite music. Short bursts of movement throughout the day, such as chair yoga during TV commercials, can help burn fat.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Carrying extra weight around your midsection raises your risk for fatty liver disease. However, losing a small percentage of your body weight may prevent you from developing the condition. Avoid crash diets or skipping meals, which can worsen liver issues. Instead, eat regular, balanced meals, choosing smaller portions. Keep healthy snacks like carrots and seeds on hand to stave off hunger. Also, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about a weight loss plan tailored to your needs.

Get Regular Checkups

Your doctor can help by monitoring your medication and changing drugs to those that don't increase strain on the liver. Tests for liver function and abdominal ultrasound can also help when symptoms arise, as can screenings for conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol.

Reversing Fatty Liver Disease

If you catch fatty liver disease in its early stages, the correct care can often regenerate and heal the organ. There's currently no specific medication approved for NAFLD or NASH, but treatments that focus on reducing the associated risk factors can help. The lifestyle changes with the most significant impact include:

• Losing weight
• Getting nutritional counseling
• Joining exercise programs
• Managing your cholesterol and blood sugar
• Monitoring liver function regularly

What Happens If You Ignore It?

Unchecked fatty liver disease can lead to serious health issues and permanent damage, even without alcohol use. Early intervention gives you the best chance to heal, but ignoring the issue can lead to conditions like:

• Fibrosis that causes mild to moderate scarring
• Cirrhosis that hinders liver function due to severe scarring
• Liver failure or cancer with life-threatening complications

You don't need a complete lifestyle overhaul to protect your liver in your golden years at Bethesda Gardens Fort Worth. Small yet consistent habits, such as switching processed snacks for healthy ones, moving more and staying well-hydrated, support your liver and give it the respect it deserves.