Include movements in everyday life to improve liver health
A new study has shed light on the connections between physical exercise and liver health. It has been discovered that aerobic physical activity can improve the condition of fatty liver, which affects one in three adults worldwide. The study, published in the journal Metabolism, demonstrates that the benefits of exercise on the liver are independent of the effects on weight loss. Even if weight does not drop, physical activity has positive effects on the mitochondria, the energy centers of the cells, and reduces fat accumulation in the liver.
The study is based on new knowledge about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is closely related to metabolic problems such as obesity and diabetes. Researchers have found that liver function gradually declines due to mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to the accumulation of lipid droplets in liver cells. The study on animals has shown that aerobic exercise reduces the interactions between lipid droplets and mitochondria, helping to metabolize fats and decrease the size of lipid droplets, and thus the extent of steatosis.
This new research provides insight into the mechanisms through which physical activity can “cure” fatty liver, confirming what has also been observed in humans. Physical exercise reduces diet-induced steatosis and liver fibrosis, and also reduces the severity of the disease and the risk of mortality from various causes. As a result, all patients with hepatic steatosis are now recommended to engage in at least 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes a week at vigorous intensity.
Professor Anna Ludovica Fracanzani, Internal Medicine at the University of Milan, emphasizes the importance of including movement in everyday life to improve liver health. She highlights the fact that even those of normal weight can have fatty liver due to incorrect food choices, and physical exercise is therefore fundamental. Fracanzani also points out that the recommendations must be tailored to the individual, as excessive exercise can be overwhelming and discouraging for those who are very sedentary. She stresses the importance of understanding that everyone, regardless of age or condition, can incorporate physical activity into their lives, even if it’s just through simple activities like walking.
In conclusion, Fracanzani underscores the essential role of physical activity in preventing and treating hepatic steatosis. Together with diet, lifestyle changes and physical exercise are the mainstays of treatment for this common liver disease. This new research serves as a reminder to prioritize movement in everyday life for the well-being of the liver.