Overweight / obesity. Hypertension. Increased triglycerides and low good cholesterol, with an increase in the bad one. Intolerance to carbohydrates which can lead to diabetes. These are the classic manifestations that make up the picture of the metabolic syndrome, in a mosaic of conditions that tend to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Now, perhaps, to these elements we need to add another: hepatic steatosis, or a condition in which the liver becomes stuffed with adipose tissue, which represents a possible preferential route for diabetes and other metabolic problems.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
In fact, one of the consequences of hepatic steatosis is insulin resistance, with the pancreas having to produce more hormone to maintain normal blood sugar. Not for nothing, according to recent studies, those with liver filled with fatty tissue have a three or four times higher risk of developing diabetes than those who do not suffer from it, with obvious consequences on the cardiovascular system.
Liver health to protect the heart and arteries as well
Emphasizing the importance of monitoring liver health to protect the heart and arteries is a document developed by experts in theAmerican Heart Association appeared on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. The statement of the scholars points the index on the importance of not underestimating the suffering of the liver, which often gives no sign and is discovered perhaps by chance.
According to the document, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, defined with the English acronym Nafld, would have the classic risk factors in common with heart disease but, according to research, those with Nafld would have a higher probability of undergoing pathologies heart and blood vessels than people who have the same risk profile but have a healthy liver.
Heart door
Beware of alcohol, they are (also) bad for the heart
by Federico Mereta
January 27, 2022
How to diagnose it
The appeal of the scholars is clear: when evaluating a person’s cardiovascular health, it is better to carefully observe the liver as well, considering that the working capacity of this “laboratory” inside our body can mask any suffering well. In fact, in the initial stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, one feels well and even the classic checks such as the evaluation of transaminases can be completely normal.
According to what the scientific document reports, it is essential to proceed with aultrasound that allows to measure the elasticity of the liver, the presence of adipose tissue and the possible stiffness of the organ, which indicates the presence of scars. It is a simple and non-invasive examination that should be performed more often also to arrive at an early diagnosis and focus on more or less radical lifestyle changes.
No to overweight, yes to physical activity
Overweight, in particular, is an element to be countered. In fact, in the document of the American Heart Association it is noted that there are studies that show that a weight loss by 10% allows you to reduce fat in the liver and improve fibrosis. Already with a weight loss equal to 5%, then, you can have appreciable results for the liver tissue, especially if you proceed with the classic half hour of physical activity every day to reduce liver fat and improve sensitivity to insulin, even in the absence of weight loss.
For a correct diet, the ideal remains to rely on the Mediterranean diet, which is low in saturated fats, cheeses, meats, sweets, while it is rich in fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish. Obviously, a reduction in calories is also essential if the subject is overweight and regular physical activity is always necessary. “Without forgetting to talk about your situation with the doctor, to evaluate, case by case, the need for targeted treatments for reduce cardiovascular risk.
Heart door
The end of a love? It puts the heart at risk, especially that of men
by Federico Mereta
February 13, 2022
