Article Review: Tailored diet, exercise can completely reverse liver disease with diabetes
Often times, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and diabetes go hand in hand. The pathology of the two diseases line up when insulin resistance causes fat to build up in the liver, causing more glucose to be put out into the blood, raising blood sugar levels, and therefore raising HbA1c levels. The liver becomes stuck in a cycle of trying to get rid of the fat build up and processing the incoming calories - over exerting the liver.
The study discussed how the existing nutrients (in the body's adipose stores and fat build up) compete with the incoming nutrients (sugar and fats). The main factor causing the disease is the over exertion of the liver. It happens most when you are full, after a meal. The liver essentially loses its natural rhythm, and stops functioning correctly.
"NAFLD is completely reversible with diet and exercise. -- Thus reducing sugars in the diet signals the liver to store less fat over all." -- Elizabeth Parks, PhD, University of Missouri School of Medicine
So how can I improve my liver disease? A process called "de novo lipogenesis" is the process that turns sugars (carbohydrates) into fat, causing the fat build up in the liver. Reducing the amount of sugar intake will help slow this process, and further reduce the amount of fat building up in the liver. "Data show the more weight loss a person experiences, the greater the drop in de novo lipogenesis." Having a drop in the process, allows the liver to start to return to its natural rhythm and function. This will also allow a decrease in the fat build up, and can further help drop blood glucose, helping your HbA1c levels.
Written by: Jane Pfeufer
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