Diet/Lifestyle Tips

[nash1996]

Hi all,

I'm 27 years old. I was diagnosed with NASH about 2 years ago. About a year ago I had a fibroscan and a biopsy which confirmed F2 fibrosis, the fibroscan score was 12 which is a stage 3 but my hepatologist felt this was elevated because of my high enzymes and the subsequent biopsy lowered this to stage 2. I was also quite overweight and my diet had been quite fast food heavy in the past.

Now, I've lost 2 stone overall. My enzymes are significantly down. My fibroscan has dropped down to 7.8. I was going to have a repeat biopsy but my hepatologist has decided against this because of my big fibroscan drop and he'll reassess in another year.

I'm hopeful that I am reversing my disease.

I just wanted to share with you what I've been doing as I know when I was first diagnosed, I was desperate for info! The below is by no means perfect, but it's what I've been doing and it seems to be working so far. If you think I could be doing more, please let me know! Sharing is caring.

Daily Food/Drink:

2-3L of water a day with squeezed lemon juice added.

4 cups of decaf coffee a day (I'm not great with caffeine, I'm hopeful that the decaf still helps the liver but there isn't much research into this)

2 cups of green tea a day (Be careful about this, green tea helps the liver but ONLY when brewed as tea, the supplements can harm the liver)

A serving of walnuts.

A serving of fish, usually tuna, sometimes salmon.

A serving of Broccoli.

A tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (if you can stomach it, just take it like a medicine, you get more out of this than using it just in food).

Daily Exercise:

I haven't gone crazy with exercise at all. I don't enjoy it. But I have just been getting out for more regular walks.

Supplementation:

2x 400IU vitamin E with lunch and dinner.

Calorie intake:

500 calorie deficit a day.

Bad things:

It's difficult to sustain the above non stop. So I do allow myself a treat, usually in the form of going out for a weekly/bi-weekly meal, such as a steak or going for a curry etc.

Whilst I've cut down my alcohol intake, I've not been able to cut it out. This isn't because I'm dependent or anything, but more because my friends and family enjoy going out for drinks and it's therefore a big part of my social life. I ensure I stay under 14 units a week. I have switched from drinking beer and whisky to drinking solely vodka (and diet coke). There's a lot of research which suggests that the body metabolizes and breaks down clear spirits such as vodka and gin, a lot easier than beer or dark spirits such as whisky.

Thanks all! It's a journey I never wanted to be on but a journey nonetheless.

[Herman7275]

Well I too bout same numbers and same fibrosis, I agree with some of yours but some are different, but I presume with you in Gr Britain, I am from states , I too had been taking olive oil and my liver dr said No do not take olive oil dailyNo, NO. Harmful to body. Not good for bowel or liver!! Also was told Positively NO ALCOHOL!!! Any alcohol is poison to liver!! I stopped cold turkey because did not want to die!!!!

[nash1996 in reply to Herman7275]

Oh that's interesting about the olive oil? I've only ever heard that it's good for the liver. I think the moderator of this page also recommends taking daily olive oil on his NASH diet page.

[Herman7275 in reply to nash1996]

Yes, I know that is where I also got my information at my start, but when I told my liver dr. She said ! Oh No. This is told but , but do not do this, harmful to liver and other organs, I am prescribed only to take Vitamin E 800iu. Also No Milk Thistle!! Also not been proven as a liver help.I know after 12 months of daily olive oil I can't even use to cook with!! Taste is atrocious!!! I use coconut oil to cook with! I also am on a low carb diet, I am allowed 30 carbohydrates, 134 gr. Of protein, 89gr. Of fat, and usually 1200 to 1450 calories but am allowed 1700 calories.

[nash1996 in reply to Herman7275]

I was taking milk thistle but my hepatologist said to save my money because there's next to no evidence to support it.

[MINTVCX in reply to Herman7275]

I think coconut oil has a lot of saturated fatty acids. Not sure why it might be healthier for liver than olive oil (BTW rapeseed oil seems to be better than olivie oil in some aspects).

[Herman7275 in reply to MINTVCX]

Not sure bout grapeseed oil, never seen any bout that. Coconut oil, very clean with no aftertaste, after taking that internally daily for several months until.my liver dr stopped me, I had an extreme distaste for olive oil! But coconut is promoted as an excellent choice in my low carb diet!!

[nash2 Partner in reply to Herman7275]

There is good research that olive oil is good for the liver and a lot of research that many docs know very little about it. Here is a link to some studies, you might ask your doc what research they rely on to say olive oil is bad for you. We can't practice medicine so you have to work with your medical team but it is fair to ask them what science informs their advice.

fattyliverfoundation.org/sc...

[Herman7275 in reply to nash2]

I have read your article as I had when I 1st came to this site. I took your information as what was something I should do . My liver specialist put me on a low carb diet and exercise with direction to loose 125lbs in a year, do it in a year , their way keep it off. My dr is from IU Medical Center of Indianapolis, In. Since I started all of this I have lost.most of weight, reversed my fatty liver, improved my fibrosis & my cirrhosis. So I feel if she says do not take olive oil, that it will harm my other organs and and no virtual evidence, I will accept her that she knows what she's talking about. Since you are not a dr than what you put out may not be correct, or been proven for all patients.

[nash2 Partner in reply to Herman7275]

You definitely should listen to your doctors. She has your history and is responsible for providing your care. We counsel people to ask questions as many here look back at the care they have received with dismay so we want everyone to be as informed as they care to be. It sounds like what your doing is working for you and that is what matters. From a science perspective, if anyone has studies that showed olive oil to be harmful to other organs please post it here. I'm not aware of it but it is something we should all know about.

[Herman7275 in reply to nash2]

Thankyou!!

[TNWONDER]

Bottom line is that everything should be in moderation. However, we know that sugar is toxic to the liver. So eliminate it completely. We know that alcohol is harmful. So if you can't cut it out then cut it way back. We know that processed foods and fatty meats are harmful. We know that veggies, lean proteins, whole grains and exercise is beneficial. So maximize that. There seems to be some questions around olive oil or coffee so take it in moderation.

[ThyroidDeb]

The only things I can add are; don't drink diet coke or regular soda it's really bad for the liver as is too much alcohol. I have read 1 drink per hour to not overload the liver, best if you cut out completely but mixers are usually bad. Vitamin E is insoluble so it can accumulate, has your doctor prescribed it? Mine had me do 400 IU three months then stop and take a multiple vitamin to maintain E and Vitamin C daily both for healing but if you have an iron problem no Vitamin C. I was told olive oil is good and if you don't get enough in cooking orally is okay but about 120 calories per tablespoon so for that reason not to add orally if you use in salads or cooking daily. I combine ideas for diets which seems to be working, good luck.

[SarahG23]

They don’t sell vitamin e 800ui that’s why you take 2 of the 400 ui . Is that okay to do ?