Most people know that drinking alcohol in excess is taxing on the liver. But what you may not realize is that excess fat can be just as detrimental. According to a report published in BMC Gastroenterology, 40% of U.S. adults between the ages of 60 and 74 have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
“Fatty liver refers to the accumulation of fat in the liver,” says Dr. Sujit Janardhan, MD, PhD, a hepatologist at Rush University Medical Center who specializes in fatty liver disease. Dr. Janardhan explains that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is caused by metabolic dysfunction, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
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Dr. Giuseppi Morelli, MD, a gastroenterologist with East Jefferson General Hospital, University Medical Center New Orleans who specializes in liver disease, says that age is a risk factor for developing fatty liver disease, explaining, “Risk peaks in the 40s and 50s and continues to be high for several different reasons."
These reasons include metabolic changes (according to Dr. Morelli, aging often comes with increased insulin resistance and more visceral fat, which is more toxic to the liver), decreased liver volume (he says the liver naturally loses about one-third of its volume and blood flow as we age, making it less efficient at detoxifying) and hormonal changes that can trigger more fat storage. These hormonal changes are directly related to an increased risk of fatty liver disease in postmenopausal women.
If fatty liver disease is left untreated, both doctors say it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke and liver failure. This is why it’s so important to catch and treat fatty liver disease early. Here’s how to do exactly that, according to both doctors.
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The Silent Warning Sign of Fatty Liver Disease Women Over 50 Often Miss
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Fatty liver disease develops slowly over time, often without someone even noticing. Dr. Morelli calls it a “silent disease” because it often doesn’t have any early symptoms. “Most people only find out they have it through routine blood tests that show elevated liver enzymes or imaging tests, like an ultrasound, done for other reasons,” he explains.
That said, both doctors say that there is an early symptom that often goes undetected. “When symptoms do appear, the very first is often unexplained fatigue or a general sense of weakness,” Dr. Morelli explains.
Dr. Janardhan adds that fatigue is an early symptom of fatty liver disease, sharing, “Symptoms are very mild and often quite nonspecific. The most common complaint is fatigue, which is obviously something many of us feel day to day."
He explains that the reason fatty liver disease can cause fatigue is that the liver has become less efficient at converting food to energy.
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In addition to fatigue, Dr. Janardhan says that some people also report feeling a fullness or dull ache in the right upper abdomen, which can be caused by an enlarged liver that sometimes gets worse when lying on or leaning to the right side or bending over. If you are experiencing these symptoms, both doctors recommend seeing your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
As fatty liver disease becomes more severe, both doctors say that symptoms can include yellowing of the skin or eyes, swelling in the legs or abdomen, itchy skin or spider-like blood vessels on the skin, brain fog and unexplained muscle loss.
“Treatment options are more limited for these patients, which is why it is important to focus on identifying risk factors and screening earlier,” Dr. Janardhan says.
Ways To Lower Your Risk if You’re 50 and Older
Ready for the good news? You can significantly lower your risk of fatty liver disease and even reverse it if you already have it.
“The best way to prevent metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease is to maintain a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise. The goal is to prevent the metabolic conditions that cause liver fat,” Dr. Janardhan tells Parade. The first step is working with your healthcare provider to manage any existing medical conditions.
In terms of diet, both doctors recommend following a Mediterranean diet-style eating plan, which includes high-fiber plant-based foods, plant- or fish-based proteins and moderate amounts of healthy fats. Additionally, Dr. Morelli recommends limiting alcohol and sugar consumption, both primary drivers of fatty liver disease.
“Exercise should include both aerobic activity and strength training,” Dr. Janardhan adds. Dr. Morelli says this too, recommending aiming for 150 minutes of physical activity a week.
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While both doctors say that, ideally, these habits are in place before 50, it’s never too late to adopt them. “Losing even 3% to 5% of body weight can reduce liver fat; losing 7% to 10% of body weight can actually reverse scarring,” Dr. Morelli explains.
The consequences of fatty liver disease are life-threatening but can be avoided by working with your healthcare provider to manage any existing obesity-related health conditions and having healthy habits in place. Remember, it’s never too late to start prioritizing your health. Fatty liver can be prevented and even reversed!
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Sources
Golabi, P., Paik, J., Reddy, R., et al. (2019). Prevalence and long-term outcomes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among elderly individuals in the United States. BMC Gastroenterology. doi: 10.1186/s12876-019-0972-6Dr. Sujit Janardhan, MD, PhD, hepatologist at Rush University Medical Center who specializes in fatty liver diseaseDr. Giuseppi Morelli, MD, gastroenterologist with East Jefferson General Hospital, University Medical Center New Orleans who specializes in liver diseaseHence then, the article about the silent warning sign of fatty liver disease women over 50 constantly miss was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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