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diet for fatty liver

Hi,

As I go thrugh all the steps prior to treatment, various questions arise.  Saw my hepatologist today -- she said the ultrasound of my liver indicates some enlargement and a fatty condition, due to metabolic syndrome.  Will have a biopsy next month, but in the meantime whe wants me to lose weight, on a low fat diet.  Now my brother, who has type 2 diabetes, informs me that low carb diets work better and, despite their higher fat content, seem to reduce visceral fat more effectively than low fat diets do.  What do you folks think?  I'm very confused.  Thanks in advance for any advice you all can offer.  

Love,
pigeonca
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Avatar universal
This is supposed to be good for those of us with fatty livers.

Lecithin:

In biology

Nervous and circulatory lecithin is produced by the liver if the diet is adequate. It is needed by every cell in the body and is a key building block of cell membranes; without it, they would harden.

Lecithin protects cells from oxidation and largely comprises the protective sheaths surrounding the brain.


As a food additive:

Lecithin is regarded as a well tolerated and non-toxic surfactant. It is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for human consumption with the status "Generally Recognised As Safe". Lecithin is an integral part of cell membranes, and can be totally metabolized, so it is virtually non-toxic to humans. Other emulsifiers can only be excreted via the kidneys.

You can sprinkle lecithin on your cereal in the morning or whatever you eat.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It was atkins , when you said 100 grams,i know thats a lot higher,i think i did something like 24 grams or lower i cant remember but it did mess with my liver enzymes...
I think if you keep it under a 100 that leaves you room for fresh fruits and veggies...
Helpful - 0
86075 tn?1238115091

Incorporate fresh, organic fruits and vegetables in your meals
Reduce your intake of polyunsaturated vegetable oils (such as sunflower, corn and safflower oils), replacing them instead with extra-virgin olive oil
Use healing spices in your cooking: turmeric, ginger and red pepper can add zing to meals, and all are natural anti-inflammatories

this is from the anti-inflammatory diet...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey wait a sec, I too live "not far from the vineyards of central Caifornia" I am in Santa Barbara, you?
We have several members in Ventura county too.

I can hear the theme song from It's a Small World playing somewhere!

I hear you on the wine conniseur issue, I certainly was no conniseur but I used to enjoy all the fun around the "wine thing"
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Kalio,
I live in central Los Angeles, near Farmer's Market and the museums.  But my niece went to boarding school in Los Olivos, so my bro and his wife and I all discovered wine.    Never was much of drinker before then, but I was trying to make up for lost time. visiting vineyards and tasting room from Ojai to Paso Robles.  But even without the wine I get up to Santa Barbara every couple months (have friends there).  I love SB.  You live in paradise.
pigeon
Helpful - 0
86075 tn?1238115091
it would seem that you live a few miles from me, small world indeed, ha ha! I hope you get a handle on your diet, I'm sure you will...not going to SB this weekend, but to Laguna Beach...trying to find a hotel now...
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Avatar universal
I guess the old adage "Looks are deceiving" says it all. We recently had a member be told by her doctor "you are too pretty to have cirrhosis" as chauvanistic as that sounds, I do believe the doctor was just being human and was shocked at the state of poor health such a healthy looking, pretty woman was in. I would venture to say that is true of just about everyone here on this forum.

Getting old is NOT for sissies as my Granny used to say.
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Avatar universal
Please be very careful of the low carb diet, iwent on it for 2months lost 30 pounds, and my alt went from 58 to 127 and it took 3 months to get it back to normal, im almost sure it caused my liver to have a little fat...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
How low carb was your diet?  I'm going to try to stay under 100 grams a day, keeping as many fruits, whole grains, beans and dairy products as possible in the mix.  Definitely not Atkins type of low carb.
pigeon
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Avatar universal
Thanks.  All sounds good-tasting too.
pigeon
Helpful - 0
92903 tn?1309904711
<i>We recently had a member be told by her doctor "you are too pretty to have cirrhosis" <i>

Hey, mine said exactly the same thing!! Maybe they all say that?? Well, in my case it was my proctologist, so I tend to think he was shooting straight.

<i>....extra-virgin olive oil..</i>

From extra-homely olives???

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your advice.  This diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was indeed an unwelcome blow.  I sort of feel as if I'm falling apart.  I'm 62 years old, but everyone tells me I don't look a day older than 45, so I've always figured that outward appearance reflected inward health, LOL.  Well, I guess that in addition to giving up my adored wine drinking (I was something of a connoisseur, living as I do in southern Calif., not far from the vineyards of the central coast),  I have to change all my eating habits as well.  But reading this forum will keep me on the straight and narrow.  Thanks again and best wishes,
Love,
Pigeon
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
When it rains it pours! Sorry to hear you had more disturbing heakth news and a diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome as if you didn't have enough to worry about! The good news is although you are dealing with two disease conditions, Hep C and Metabolic Syndrome,the "cure" for metabolic Syndrome will also help you deal with Hep C. Here is an article that succinctly sums up dealing with Metabolic Syndrome.
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3000/3057.asp?index=10783

This is a serious condition that requires immediate and dramatic lifestyle changes but can be controlled and even reversed over time if you work hard at it. If you don't do anything about it it will progress and become more and more complicated. Good luck with it, here is a brief excerpt from the article on diet but if you google Metabolic Syndrome you can find lots and lots of diet info to assist you in making these changes. Double check that things on your new diet arent contraindicated with Hep C, for instance these diet changes mention flax seed oil and I was told to avoid that with Hep C, so you might want to substitute another oil. Take care and good luck with it.

"Maintain a diet that keeps carbohydrates to no more than 50 percent of total calories. Eat foods defined as complex carbohydrates, such as whole grain bread (instead of white), brown rice (instead of white), and sugars that are unrefined (instead of refined; for example cookies, crackers). Increase your fiber consumption by eating legumes (for example, beans), whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Reduce your intake of red meats and poultry. As much as 30 percent to 45 percent of your daily calories can come from fat. Consume healthy fats such as those in canola oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil and nuts."
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