Dietary considerations for fatty liver

  In the last decade, fatty liver disease has been listed as a metabolic syndrome syndrome associated with central obesity along with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, lipid metabolism disorders and other chronic diseases. To provide effective treatment for fatty liver, we must first trace the cause of fatty liver to its origin.  At present, it is believed that fatty liver has the following two factors: one is the internal factor, that is, the immune status, nutritional status, genetic background, lifestyle, as well as age, gender and other condition factors; the second is the external factor, that is, under certain conditions, can cause fatty degeneration of liver cells specific factors, such as alcohol, obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and so on. It follows that the treatment of fatty liver should adopt an integrated lifestyle intervention model of diet adjustment and rational exercise as the basic comprehensive treatment before the use of drug therapy. Its dietary intervention is very important.  Most patients with fatty liver suffer from obesity and overweight. Therefore, the goal of nutritional therapy is to maintain ideal body weight as much as possible, regulate blood lipids and control blood sugar, prevent and improve chronic metabolic complications, ensure the requirements of the three major energy-producing nutrients and micronutrients, and maintain normal physiological functions and social activities. What do we need to pay attention to?  1, reduce the total caloric intake First, lose 10% of body weight steadily. For patients engaged in light physical activities, a reduction program of total energy not exceeding 21-26kcal/kg per day can be recommended to prevent gaining weight and inducing fatty liver. For patients who are overweight or obese, a low caloric energy reduction program of 20-25kcal/kg can be given to reduce body weight.  2.Regulate the structure and quality of the three major nutrients of food Epidemiological surveys show that the intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol in the eating habits of fatty liver patients is far from the recommended amount, while the intake of unsaturated fatty acids, fiber, vitamin C and E is often at low levels. The consumption of sugars and vitamin A in patients was positively correlated with the proportion of fat in the liver, and negatively correlated with monounsaturated fatty acids. This experimental result was likewise confirmed in animal experiments. Therefore, in the structure of the diet, care should be taken to reduce the intake of sugars and sweets. Vegetables and fruits, especially fruit-based vegetables (such as cucumbers and tomatoes), can be appropriately supplemented.  Fat is appropriate at no more than 30% of total energy, and the traditionally low-fat dietary pattern has been shown to be inappropriate for the treatment of fatty liver. Studies have concluded that moderate amounts of essential fat are necessary to ensure the smooth transport of fat from the liver and to facilitate the treatment of NAFLD. Cooking oil should be mainly vegetable oil because it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and soy sterols, which have better lipid-lowering effects.  Try to use fats rich in monounsaturated acids (such as olive oil), nut foods, and fish oil rich in omega-3. Saturated fatty acids can aggravate insulin resistance, so foods high in saturated fatty acids (such as fatty meat, fatty poultry, heavy oil pastries, etc.) should not be consumed. Foods high in cholesterol (such as animal offal, etc.) should also be appropriately controlled.  The amount of protein should be increased appropriately and high-quality protein should be chosen to facilitate the repair and regeneration of liver cells and prevent further damage to liver cells. Usually, it is better to have 15%-20% of total caloric energy in protein, and lean meat, fish, shrimp, skimmed milk, soybean products, etc. can be used. Animal experiments have shown that a diet lacking vitamin B-methionine and a high-calorie diet can also lead to fatty liver.  3.Appropriate supplementation of trace elements Supplementation of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Carnitine, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B12, folic acid, choline, zinc, magnesium, etc., all have a positive effect on the normal metabolism of the body.  4, diet should not be too fine fatty liver patients should not be too fine diet, the main food should be coarse and fine grain with more vegetables, fruits and algae to ensure sufficient intake of dietary fiber, effectively maintain the intestinal mucosa structure and intestinal permeability, reduce endotoxin damage to the liver, but also delay the absorption of intestinal sugar and other nutrients, increase the sense of satiety, is conducive to improving glucose tolerance, reduce blood lipids. It can also supplement foods with lipid-lowering effects, such as black fungus, oats, corn, kelp, apples, etc.