Just been diagnosed with fatty liver disease

[Jess1993]

Hi I’m very new to this page I’ve got a few health issues going on I’ve just been told I have a fatty liver disease but not sure the engine out yet as waiting for results from scans my doctor presumed it was alcohol fatty disease but I don’t drink alcohol I’m 25 and I’ve probably been drunk eight times in my whole life so now he is looking into other options why and how. Just looking for a bit of advice really he’s told me to start eating lots of green leafy vegetables and fruit and that is what I’ve been doing every day since I’ve seen the doctor I’ve eaten fruit and veg as he said that can help does anyone know of anything else what can I help would be very grateful thank you x

[jojokarak]

Hiya you just need to avoid processed foods just make sure everything is fresh a lot of people say avoid red meat and also no salt, plenty of exercise and water... Its totally possible to reverse fatty liver so please don't worry too much, they will find out why it's happening x

[Owlie]

Hi Jess, welcome to the forum!

Start small making little changes so swap white bread for whole grain, white rice for brown. I love my carbs but now eat very few. Instead of looking for a ‘diet’, which itself has negative connotations, think about a healthy lifestyle otherwise your brain will automatically think you are denying yourself food.

Forgive me for asking but are you overweight? I have lost a considerable amount of weight which averaged out about 1-2lbs a week and both my consultant and Dr are really pleased with how I have gone about it as I have done it in a healthy way and it has worked.

I don’t eat anything processed as it tends to be high in additives, salt, sugar etc. I also eat a lot less carbs than I did before. I don’t eat red meat and I watch my portion size.

My diet now is as follows:

Breakfast: 1 banana or 27g of oats with skimmed milk

Lunch: Salad with half a tin of tuna or 2 slices of whole grain bread with tuna in it or boiled egg

Dinner: salmon, or other fish, with fresh or frozen veg. Chicken or turkey breast with veg.

Snacks: raw carrot, blueberries, banana, strawberries

Drinks: I only drink hot or cold water

I also exercise every day, I started off with 5 minutes a day as that was all I could do, then built up to 60 mins cardio a day and 30 mins strength training.

I hope this helps, the weight will come off if you keep at it and everyone will support you on here. Feel free to msg me with any further questions.

My blood tests have reduced dramatically to normal and my liver is now regenerating, it will take a while but my consultant said it should completely heal in time and I feel and look so much better.

Look at the British Liver Trust link on what food to eat as well.

Hope this helps,

Owlie

[jazzjam in reply to Owlie]

Owlie you are doing fabulous!

I was given a very similar plan and I did really well but the last couple of weeks I have been terrible and I can’t seem to focus my mind back. I know I will make myself ill, but my head is being lazy (if you know what I mean) I’m so mad at myself. How do you focus yourself?

[Owlie in reply to jazzjam]

Hi, thank you so much for the kind words. I didn’t get any help with what to eat I researched and joined this forum. It isn’t easy and you have to not beat yourself up if you have a setback or can’t quite manage much exercise. Eventually it just becomes a natural thing and you don’t really think about it. I have just been given a major setback in that I have been told I can no longer exercise due to another condition appearing, that has sent me on a real downward spiral since last week, however this morning I did my exercise, I adapted a bit of it and got rid of the weights, which I really didn’t want to do. I crash through the floor for a while ( come on here and whinge) and then my fighting spirit kicks in and I pick myself up and start again. I don’t like being labelled and I don’t like being told I can’t do something. If your mad with yourself use it. Use it to plan healthy meals or do that exercise and you will get back on track. The main thing is to keep at it and you will feel so much better for it. You’ve got this, let me know how you get on, Owlie

[jazzjam in reply to Owlie]

Thank you, yes I am mad. I have read this and I have been out and got some stretch bands this morning and dumb bells. Thank you I will push 🌻

[Owlie in reply to jazzjam]

Take it steady with the weights if you haven’t used them before, good luck!

[jazzjam]

I can only agree with the advice you have been given here. I’m sure you must feel better just following some healthy eating, I know I do when I put my mind to it. I can get bored of just eating an apple or eating a banana etc so I also mix berries and other fruits in the blender to have as a drink everyday, or put them on some Greek yoghurt or porridge for breakfast with sliced almonds. I hope you get some good results next time, keep us updated with your scans 🌻

[Bluesky53]

Hi. I've just been given the same diagnosis. My consultant really emphasised to exercise and to lose weight gradually as "mad" starvation diets put more strain on your liver. It's definitely a wake-up call to a healthier lifestyle. Good luck and know that you're not alone.

[Woodystar]

I too have NAFLD and was told by Gp to go on the Mediterranean diet which I mostly do. However my fatty liver is caused by genetic high cholestrol condition Familial hypercholestremia, so along with a good diet I have to take a statin to bring my cholestrol down.

If you've not had your cholestrol checked then do that, try with diet first and see where that gets you but if your cholesterol is high then look at your family history and see if there are others with similar issues or heart disease.

[Oldred]

I had fatty liver disease due to diabetes. There seems little point in trying to find the cause, that's in the past. Do as this doc advises, good diet, no alcohol, no smoking. Seems tough but better than the alternative!

[confused71]

Take the term fatty liver seriously --- eat healthy and exercise lose weight if you need to .Do anything you can to stop it progressing to Nash liver disease ---that is a lot more serious which is where I am because i didnt have a clue that lifestyle could affect your liver .I didnt think that fatty liver was a problem and it wasnt explained to me ---salt and sugar were the main things for me to change .No processed food ---I eat a mediterranean diet plenty fresh fruit and veg ---olive oil