Due to its many functions in the body, the liver plays a key role in maintaining a general well-being and the joy for life. A healthy liver is essential to cope with daily demands and maintain an active lifestyle.

The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body and the only visceral organ that has the ability to regenerate completely, to its previous size and capacity, without losing its functions during the growth process.

The liver is responsible for over 500 essential functions, the main ones being in the body’s metabolic processes. 

Blood filtration

Blood from the digestive tract reaches the portal vein in the liver, carrying nutrients, medicines, and also toxic substances. In the liver, these substances are processed, detoxified and sent back into the bloodstream or released into the gut to be eliminated. This way, the liver removes alcohol from the blood and secondary ingredients from the breakdown of medicines.

Bile production

Liver cells produce about 800 to 1,000 ml of bile per day. This yellow-brown fluid is transported to a section of the small intestine called the duodenum. Bile contains bile salts, cholesterol, bilirubin, electrolytes, and water and plays an important role in the breakdown and absorption of fats, cholesterol, and liposoluble vitamins.

Supporting blood clotting

The liver synthesizes most coagulation factors: fibrinogen, prothrombin, factors V, VII, IX, X, XI,XII.

Bile is essential for the absorption of vitamin K. This vitamin is known for its role in blood clotting, but also for the synthesis of clotting factors. If the liver does not produce enough bile, coagulation factors cannot occur. 

Metabolism of fats

The role of liver cells is to break down fat and produce energy, and the role of bile is to facilitate the absorption of fat in the body.

The liver also plays an important role in the synthesis of cholesterol, but also in regulating the level of the cholesterol in the body.

Metabolism of carbohydrates

The liver has the role of storing, breaking down, and transporting carbohydrates converted into glucose in the bloodstream, to maintain normal glucose levels. Glucose is stored as glycogen and released into the blood whenever the body needs energy, and blood sugar levels decrease.

Storage of vitamins and minerals

The liver stores significant amounts of vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12. The liver also stores iron from hemoglobin in the form of ferritin, and it is always ready to help in the synthesis of new red blood cells.

Immune function

The liver contains a large number of Kupffer cells that are involved in immune activity. These cells destroy any disease-causing agents that could enter the liver through the gut.

What is hepatic steatosis?

Due to its complexity, the liver is prone to multiple issues, the consequences of which may be dangerous for the body.

Fatty liver disease or hepatic steatosis involves the accumulation of triglycerides and other lipids in liver cells, in a proportion of over 5% -10% of the body surface. This phenomenon is the result of the defective metabolism of the fatty acids that can be determined by the imbalance between energy intake (calories) and consumption, mitochondrial disorders (alcohol), resistance to insulin, or defects in receptors or enzymes involved in this metabolism. Alcohol is considered a causal factor when it is about the consumption of more than 20 grams of pure alcohol per day.

Hepatic steatosis may cause complications in cases of obesity, alcohol intoxication, due to excessive alcohol consumption or liver disorders, such as type 2 diabetes. 

Hepatic steatosis is the most commonly diagnosed chronic liver disease. It is often discovered by abdominal ultrasonography during investigations for the causes of chronic growth of liver enzymes or another unrelated condition.

Hepatic steatosis may also occur in people who drink little or no alcohol at all. This condition is called Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).

In some cases, steatosis may develop into steatohepatitis, which in turn can turn into cirrhosis (when the liver becomes fibrous).

Phases of the fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease has several development phases. For each phase, there is a series of associated symptoms:

Hepatic steatosis

The liver is resistant and able to regenerate, but an unbalanced diet, weight gain, lack of exercise, consumption of a large quantity of alcohol, even for a short time, may lead to the accumulation of fat in the liver.

This is the first phase of fatty liver disease, and it is reversible. Once with the interruption of alcohol consumption or the adoption of a balanced lifestyle, weight loss, the liver begins to return to normal.

Steatohepatitis

Steatohepatitis occurs when the causes that created the steatosis persist for a longer period. Very rarely, steatohepatitis may occur after the consumption of a large quantity of alcohol in a short period.

Liver injuries associated with mild alcoholic hepatitis are usually reversible if alcohol consumption is permanently stopped. However, if no action is taken, steatohepatitis may become severe and life-threatening due to the progression to more severe phases.

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is the phase of fatty liver disease in which there is significant scarring of the liver. However, obvious symptoms may be absent even in this phase.

In general, the effects caused on the liver tissue mass are not reversible. Still, if cirrhosis is a consequence of alcohol consumption, immediate interruption of alcohol consumption can prevent further damage to the liver and can significantly increase life expectancy.

Causes of hepatic steatosis

Among the factors involved in the development of non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis (NAFLD) there are elements of metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, or high blood pressure.

For alcoholic hepatic steatosis, the main cause is alcohol consumption. The risk of hepatic steatosis is even higher as people who consume excessive alcohol suffer from obesity, malnutrition, or chronic viral hepatitis.

Symptoms of hepatic steatosis

Most patients suffering from hepatic steatosis have no symptoms, although on closer investigation, many of them describe nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, discomfort, or pain in the right hypochondrium.

In patients in whom hepatic steatosis is caused by alcohol consumption, its extrahepatic effects, such as muscle loss, cardiomyopathy, pancreatitis or peripheral neuropathy, may be evident. 

Signs and symptoms of liver disease may also include yellowing of the skin and eyes (signs of jaundice), abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting.

Over time, liver damage results in scarring of the liver tissue and the installation of cirrhosis, which shows signs such as ascites, edema (swelling of the legs and ankles) or jaundice. Often, the disease may be diagnosed accidentally, following the detection of abnormal results in routine examinations: increased transaminases, suggestive ultrasound aspect.

Methods for the prevention of hepatic steatosis

Prevention has a very important role, and appropriate recommendations may prevent the onset and development of hepatic steatosis.

The main factors of illness are an unbalanced diet and physical inactivity. Therefore, a change in lifestyle may improve health and longevity significantly.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle

To prevent the risk of non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis, it is important to have a healthy lifestyle, based on a diet low in animal fats and a high percentage of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and sources of healthy fats such as olive oil, or avocado fruit.

Through its major active constituent called silybin, silymarin can supplement the diet recommended by the specialist. It has an important liver protection action and is also an effective antioxidant, playing an important role in the detoxification process.

ProHumano+ HepatoDefense Capsule contains an innovative formula that combines the beneficial effects of silybin with those of essential phospholipids.

Maintaining weight in normal parameters

Obesity is a risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

A normal weight may be achieved and maintained through sports and a balanced lifestyle. In case of excess weight or risk of obesity, it is recommended to consult a specialist to recommend a proper diet.

Exercise every day

Movement is recommended every day, and it should not be of high intensity. One may choose an alert walk for 30 minutes a day. An active lifestyle protects the liver and helps the entire body to function optimally.

Moderate alcohol consumption

For healthy adults, moderate alcohol consumption means up to two drinks a day. Moderate alcohol consumption is not dangerous.

It is important to note, however, that consuming one drink a day also has a small but real risk of developing some disorders.

Excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of health problems, such as high blood pressure or liver disorders.

Administration of medicines

It is not recommended to take any over-the-counter medicines. It is also not recommended to drink alcohol while taking medication.

Consult your doctor before mixing herbal supplements or medicines on prescription with over-the-counter medicines.

Methods for the management of hepatic steatosis

Usually, the first step is to lose weight. It helps reduce the fat load, inflammation, and scarring of the liver. Losing only 3 to 5% of the body weight can significantly reduce the amount of fat accumulated in the liver.

Depending on the cause of hepatic steatosis, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, a treatment that often involves changes in lifestyle or a healthy diet, which reduces the concentration of fat in the liver, is recommended.

The administration of food supplements is done, taking into account several factors: the phase of the disorder, the type of hepatic steatosis, and the recommendations of the specialist physician.