What is the relation between fish and fatty liver disease?
Fatty liver disease is now termed one of the components of steatotic liver diseases, technically called Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). As the name indicates, it generally results from a consequence of multiple factors which lead to the accumulation of fat in the liver. The major contributing factor to liver disease is a diet that is rich in processed food, sugars, carbohydrates, saturated fats, and low-quality animal protein.
Other important aspects include a lack of physical exercise and a genetic component. Additionally, moderate alcohol consumption can also lead to fatty liver disease.
Diet and fatty liver disease
Diet is beneficial in preventing fatty liver disease or reducing the amount of fat accumulating in the liver. Ms. Nabanita Saha, Chief Dietician, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road added, “Key dietary strategies include reducing processed foods, saturated and trans fats, direct sugars, and simple carbohydrates while replacing them with complex carbohydrates, healthy unsaturated fats, probiotics and increasing the consumption of high-quality and easily digestible animal proteins. Additionally, incorporating antioxidants and specific types of amino acids that support liver function and help in the production of good-quality protein within the liver is recommended.”
Diet and fatty liver disease
Diet is beneficial in preventing fatty liver disease or reducing the amount of fat accumulating in the liver. Ms. Nabanita Saha, Chief Dietician, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road added, “Key dietary strategies include reducing processed foods, saturated and trans fats, direct sugars, and simple carbohydrates while replacing them with complex carbohydrates, healthy unsaturated fats, probiotics and increasing the consumption of high-quality and easily digestible animal proteins. Additionally, incorporating antioxidants and specific types of amino acids that support liver function and help in the production of good-quality protein within the liver is recommended.”
Consumption of fish to prevent liver disease
Dr. Rajiv Lochan, Lead Consultant – HPB, Liver Transplantation, and Robotic Surgery, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road added, “Incorporating fish into the diet can play a big role in reducing the accumulation of fat within the liver. Fatty fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which can reduce inflammation within the liver and improve liver function. They also provide high-quality protein or lean protein which are easily digestible and essential amino acids necessary for protein building within the body. Apart from that, fish also contain antioxidants that are beneficial in reducing overall inflammation and fat accumulation in the liver. However, it is important to remember that the inclusion of fish may not reverse already established fatty liver disease.”
Video
It is also very crucial to consider how the fish is being prepared. Deep frying the fish and the addition of saturated fat in the process of cooking can denature proteins and negate the numerous beneficial effects of fish consumption. Therefore, guidance from a liver specialist or dietitian working closely with the liver team, in particular, is essential for patients managing the dietary part in preventing fatty liver disease.
To summarize,
Diet is just one component of a multi-pronged treatment strategy for fatty liver disease that also includes exercise, medications, and dietary discretion. “Given that Metabolism-associated Steatotic Liver Disease is associated with multiple factors, focusing solely on one particular aspect like diet is unlikely to provide significant results in terms of treating or managing fatty liver disease.”, concluded Dr. Rajiv Lochan.
It is also very crucial to consider how the fish is being prepared. Deep frying the fish and the addition of saturated fat in the process of cooking can denature proteins and negate the numerous beneficial effects of fish consumption. Therefore, guidance from a liver specialist or dietitian working closely with the liver team, in particular, is essential for patients managing the dietary part in preventing fatty liver disease.
To summarize,
Diet is just one component of a multi-pronged treatment strategy for fatty liver disease that also includes exercise, medications, and dietary discretion. “Given that Metabolism-associated Steatotic Liver Disease is associated with multiple factors, focusing solely on one particular aspect like diet is unlikely to provide significant results in terms of treating or managing fatty liver disease.”, concluded Dr. Rajiv Lochan.
Next Story
READ ON APP