Losing weight and developing severe fatty liver? I was so scared that I quickly ate a bite of the cake

Review expert: Wu Xinsheng, deputy chief physician of gastroenterology department

Recently, a girl in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, was very strict with her diet when losing weight. She seldom ate anything other than vegetables. Although she successfully lost more than 40 kilograms, she was diagnosed with severe fatty liver. Doctors said that this is not uncommon. This type of fatty liver is caused by excessive dieting and "hunger". How can fatty liver be caused by starvation? Can thin people also get it?

Source: Weibo screenshot

What is fatty liver and how does it occur?

The liver of an adult generally weighs one to two kilograms. Hundreds of chemical reactions occur in the liver every day, and it plays an important role in the normal metabolism of the human body. As the name suggests, fatty liver is the accumulation of too much fat in the liver, which causes the chemical reactions in the liver to not proceed normally, thus causing the body's functions to decline. Especially for middle-aged people, due to the reduction in exercise and the increase in the intake of high-calorie, high-sugar, and high-fat foods, fat is likely to accumulate in the liver and suffer from fatty liver.

In addition to dietary issues, insulin is a key hormone that regulates fat metabolism. If insulin resistance occurs, fat cannot be stored effectively and accumulates in the liver. Diabetic patients are also very likely to suffer from fatty liver due to insulin resistance and long-term high blood sugar levels. Some patients are also more likely to suffer from fatty liver due to congenital inheritance and environmental influences.

If left unchecked, fatty liver disease may eventually develop into hepatitis, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer, so it is crucial for people with fatty liver disease to initiate appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes early on.

Source: Sohu.com

Why do you get fatty liver even if you lose weight?

Now that you know how fatty liver develops, you may wonder: Why does losing weight also lead to fatty liver? In fact, this phenomenon may involve a variety of factors, including the following reasons:

1. Losing weight too quickly: Weight loss is closely related to the body's breakdown of fat, but if you lose weight too quickly, a large amount of fat will be broken down into fatty acids and absorbed into the blood. The liver cannot process fatty acids quickly enough, so fatty acids are easily accumulated in the liver, leading to fatty liver.

2. Low-carb diet: After reducing the intake of carbohydrates, the human body begins to rely on fat for energy. The fatty acids produced after fat decomposition enter the liver and accumulate and synthesize fat, leading to fatty liver.

3. Metabolic adjustments: The body's metabolism changes during weight loss, especially when energy intake is reduced. This may lead to a series of metabolic adjustments, including changes in insulin levels, which may have an impact on liver lipid metabolism.

4. Damage repair: During weight loss, the body usually repairs and regenerates tissues. If the liver is damaged to some extent during weight loss, it may take more time to repair and remove fat, thus leading to fatty liver.

5. Nutritional imbalance: Some people lose weight due to unreasonable diet, resulting in a lack of certain nutrients, which may also affect liver health. The body cannot obtain the required energy and fat, and will automatically adjust the fat in other places to convert into energy in the liver. When a large amount of fatty acids enter the liver, it will easily cause fatty liver if it stays in the liver for a long time.

Fatty liver is not only caused by being fat, you should also pay attention to these situations?

Fatty liver disease is not just about weight. In addition to weight, there are other conditions and factors that may increase your risk of fatty liver disease, including:

Metabolic syndrome: If you suffer from metabolic syndrome, your body's ability to metabolize is abnormal, which is very likely to lead to fatty liver.

Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to develop fatty liver disease because insulin resistance and a high blood sugar state can cause fat to accumulate in the liver.

High cholesterol: High cholesterol levels, especially high LDL cholesterol, may increase the risk of fatty liver disease.

Drugs and chemicals: Long-term use of certain drugs, alcohol abuse, or exposure to certain chemicals may lead to fatty liver disease.

Rapid weight loss: As mentioned earlier, rapid weight loss can lead to fatty liver disease .

Genetic factors: Genetic factors may make some people more susceptible to fatty liver disease, especially if fatty liver disease runs in the family.

High carbohydrate intake: Excessive carbohydrate intake, especially high fructose corn syrup, may have adverse effects on fatty liver disease.

Fast food and unhealthy diet: Frequent consumption of fast food and unhealthy foods that are high in calories, fat, and sugar may increase the risk of fatty liver disease.

Other chronic diseases: Certain chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, are associated with the risk of fatty liver disease.

Source: Sohu.com

Although weight loss may lead to fatty liver disease, it does not mean that weight loss itself is unhealthy. Moreover, for people with fatty liver disease, losing weight is often an effective way to improve liver health. Therefore, when losing weight, it is best to consult a professional such as a doctor to ensure that the process is safe and reasonable. In addition, moderate physical exercise can also help lose weight and improve liver health. To prevent fatty liver disease, it is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, moderate physical exercise, limiting alcohol intake, controlling weight, and receiving regular medical care and doctor's advice. If you are concerned about the risk of fatty liver disease, it is best to consult a doctor for personalized advice and diagnosis.