FAQ

Liver functions

The liver has many jobs essential for health, including:

Digestion

The liver produces bile, which helps break down fats and remove waste during digestion

Blood purification

The liver filters toxins and waste products from the blood

Blood clotting

The liver produces substances that help blood clot after an injury

Blood sugar regulation

The liver maintains healthy blood sugar levels by storing and releasing glucose

Immune response

The liver produces immune factors and removes bacteria from the blood

Nutrient processing

The liver absorbs nutrients from food and converts them into energy

Vitamin and mineral storage

The liver stores vitamins, fat, sugars, and minerals

Protein production

The liver produces proteins for blood plasma, including albumin, which carries hormones, drugs, and fatty acids

Hormone production

The liver produces hormones that regulate sexual desire and function

Bilirubin clearance

The liver removes bilirubin, a substance produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. Too much bilirubin can cause jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and eyes

Ammonia conversion

The liver converts ammonia, a poisonous substance, into urea, which is excreted in urine

When fat accumulates in the liver, it can damage the organ by causing inflammation within the liver cells, which can lead to cell death, scarring (fibrosis), and eventually progress to a serious condition called cirrhosis, where the liver loses its ability to function properly due to extensive scarring; this process happens when the liver becomes overloaded with fat, causing stress on the cells and triggering a cascade of inflammatory responses.

Key points about fat accumulation in the liver and liver damage

Cell stress

As fat builds up within liver cells, it can disrupt normal cellular functions, leading to stress and damage to the cell membranes

Inflammation

This stress response triggers the release of inflammatory chemicals, causing inflammation within the liver tissue

Cell death

If the inflammation is persistent, it can lead to liver cell death

Fibrosis

When damaged liver cells die, the body attempts to repair the tissue by forming scar tissue (fibrosis)

Cirrhosis

In advanced stages, extensive fibrosis can lead to cirrhosis, a condition where the liver is severely scarred and can no longer function properly.

Important factors to consider

Severity of fat accumulation

Not everyone with fat buildup in the liver will experience significant damage

Underlying causes

Conditions like obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to fat accumulation in the liver

Progression of disease

Fatty liver disease can progress from a mild condition with minimal symptoms to a more severe stage with significant liver damage

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Is it important to stop drinking alcohol to get liver fat free?

· Fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease is a condition where fat builds up in the liver. It's the first stage of alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD).

· Reversing damage

If you stop drinking alcohol, the damage caused by fatty liver disease can usually be reversed. This can take months or years.

· Other benefits

Cutting down on alcohol can also improve other health conditions, such as high blood pressure, depression, and skin conditions.

Other tips for liver health Eat a healthy diet, Limit simple sugars and portion sizes, Maintain a healthy weight, and Exercise regularly.

Explanation

Yes, it's important to stop drinking alcohol to get liver fat free if you have fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease is reversible, and stopping drinking can help your liver return to normal.

What is there a role of liver cleansing agents?

Liver cleansing agents, often marketed as "detox" products, claim to help remove toxins from the body by supporting the liver's natural detoxification process, but most scientific evidence does not support their effectiveness and some can even be harmful; the liver is already highly efficient at filtering toxins on its own, making dedicated "cleansing" agents largely unnecessary and potentially dangerous.

Key points about liver cleansing agents:

· Limited scientific backing:

While some ingredients like milk thistle or artichoke leaf may have potential benefits for liver health, there is not enough robust research to prove that they significantly enhance liver detoxification in healthy individuals.

· Potential risks:

Some liver cleansing products can contain ingredients with harmful side effects, especially when used in large doses or by people with pre-existing liver conditions.

· Focus on healthy lifestyle:

The best way to support liver health is to maintain a balanced diet, limit alcohol consumption, and engage in regular physical activity.

How the liver naturally detoxifies:

Can androgen including testosterone intake cause fatty liver disease?

Yes, androgens like testosterone can contribute to fatty liver disease, also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the relationship between androgens and NAFLD is complex and depends on sex and other factors.

In men

Low testosterone levels can be a marker of NAFLD.

In women

High androgen levels can promote NAFLD in pre-menopausal women.
Low testosterone levels can be a risk factor for NAFLD in post-menopausal women.

Overall

Androgens can promote hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in both sexes.Yes, certain drugs can cause fatty liver disease. This is called drug-induced fatty liver disease (DISLD or DIFLD)

Drugs that can cause fatty liver

· Steroid hormones: Can make the mechanisms that lead to NASH worse

· Tamoxifen, cisplatin, and irenotecan: Can cause latent fatty liver

· Methotrexate: Can cause fatty liver disease or liver scarring, especially in people who are already at risk

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