Hi! I'm Stelios Pantazis.
I'm a doctor and I specialize in medical
nutrition and metabolic disorders.
In this video we will talk about
the ideal diet
for the treatment
of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Maybe after an ultrasound
you've been told
that you have fat in your liver.
Everyone's liver has fat.
But not enough for an upper
abdomen ultrasound to detect.
However, very often it can
increase significantly enough,
that it can be detected
during the examination.
This condition is called
fatty liver disease.
The most common causes
of this condition
are alcohol abuse, overeating
or eating food that's bad for you.
All of them different,
but with the same consequences.
Of course, we may have
a combination of these causes.
When there's alcohol abuse
involved,
we call it alcoholic liver disease.
If it doesn't have to do with alcohol,
we call it non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
We will talk about this
very common condition.
We will recommend some foods
that can help treat it,
as well as some foods
that make it a lot worse.
Two and a half decades ago,
when I was still a medical student,
I first learned about non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease.
But doctors were reluctant
to call it a disease.
In hospitals, colleagues of mine,
other doctors,
would disregard it, as if it was just
the variation of a normal condition
or something insignificant or benign.
Contrary to medical texts,
some doctors were telling me
that it can't lead to a serious
liver condition, such as cirrhosis,
and that it's so common,
that it's "normal".
Several colleagues
who expressed this opinion
said that they had it themselves,
but didn't worry about it.
Unfortunately, that is not the case.
It's definitely a very common disease.
In Western societies, one in three
adults has the disease.
The only data I managed to find
about Greece
is that less than 30% of people
who pass away,
regardless of the cause of death,
have a normal liver.
So more than 70%
of our compatriots
show fatty liver disease
to some degree in their autopsy.
However, is it a benign condition?
Usually, yes, but not always.
Only a very small percentage
of people with NAFLD
end up with serious liver disease.
But since so many adults have it,
the people who end up with serious
conditions aren't few at all.
Studies show that
one in 25 people at most
will develop serious conditions,
such as cirrhosis or fibroplasia.
The factors that will determine this,
are the usual suspects.
Diabetes, obesity, hypertension.
Unfortunately, even though
the condition deteriorates rarely,
people who end up needing
a liver transplant are so many,
that it will soon be or already is the most
common cause for liver transplant.
Think about it. The number one
reason for liver transplant
is alcohol abuse and overeating.
Sad, isn't it?
The good news is that
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
is fully reversible.
Yes, you heard me right.
If you have it,
you can cure it completely.
It'll be as if you never had it
in the first place. You know the way.
Proper diet, weight loss,
quitting hepatotoxic substances,
such as alcohol and some foods
and exercise.
In this video we will focus
on proper diet.
I will show you which foods
are good and which are bad.
Let's start with 12 foods that you
need to incorporate in your diet
or to start eating more of.
Foods that help treat it, combined
with weight loss, of course.
Number one, coffee.
Unfortunately, I can't tolerate
caffeine, so I've quit drinking coffee.
However, if you can tolerate it,
then you should know
that coffee protects the liver.
Two, leafy greens.
I guess that it won't come
as a surprise to you
that fresh vegetables
are good for your liver as well.
Leafy ones, such as spinach
and greens are most beneficial,
but even non-leafy ones, such as
broccoli, cauliflower etc help as well.
Three, tofu.
Tofu is a natural soy product
that we can add to our meal.
Studies in animals have shown
that soy protein
prevents fat accumulation
in the liver.
Four, fish.
Another food
that is abundant in Greece
and is extremely good for you.
Omega-3 fatty acids
prevent inflammation.
The best sources are well known.
Sardines, mackerel,
anchovy, herring and trout.
Five, non-processed
or not very processed cereals.
Cereals consist of some things
that are very good
and one thing that is rather bad.
The good are the plant fibers
and vitamins. The bad is starch.
By eating them whole or slightly
processed, in normal quantity,
the good overcome the bad
and this makes for a valuable food.
If we separate the good
and only eat the bad,
then we cause great harm
to our health.
You should watch the video
where I explain how you can tell
which whole wheat cereals
are actually whole wheat.
Six, walnuts. They are high
in Omega-3 fatty acids.
Studies have shown that they
help people with liver problems.
Seven, avocado.
Avocado contain substances
that according to studies
30 июл 2024
