A fatty liver can be a silent killer. The liver is one of the most important organs in the body. It has over 500 functions, including filtering the blood, storing glycogen for energy, producing bile to digest fats to regulate hormones, filtering the blood, removing toxins, among a host of other functions. The liver can get damaged and malfunction over time with bad eating habits and toxic lifestyles, leading to a fatty liver, even showing no symptoms. Here is some information that is helpful to avoid, and can reverse, a fatty liver.
What does the liver do? – a plethora of vital functions.
- Acts as a filter for the blood, to remove toxins and harmful chemicals and poisons
- Helps with digesting fats from bile production.
- Stores excess glucose as glycogen and later converts it back for energy
- Keeps healthy amino acid levels in the bloodstream.
- Removes bacteria and waste from the bloodstream through filtration
- Stores a high level of fat-soluble vitamins, plus B12, copper, and iron
- Responsible for blood clotting with the use of Vitamin K.
Can certain foods cause a Fatty Liver? – What are they?
Two of the leading causes of fatty liver are alcohol and fructose. Those who do not consume alcohol can still develop a condition known as None Alcohol Fatty Liver disease. Hepatitis A, B, and C, caused by unsafe sex, yellow fever, and malaria infections, can also contribute to a fatty liver.
As the disease develops, symptoms may appear, including fatigue, tiredness, nausea, abdominal pain, right shoulder pain, headaches on the right side, pain in the right rhomboid, and general weakness. This occurs in the secondary stages and 
must be treated immediately.
Get medical help.
Alcohol is a poison to the body. The liver has to work extra hard to get rid of it. There is no healthy version of alcohol for a fatty liver, no, not even red wine. When the alcohol consumption continues on a fatty liver, it could then advance into cirrhosis or even liver cancer. This is when liver functions become impaired, resulting in more severe problems, including death if left untreated.
Fructose is a major contributor to fatty liver disease and is found in many processed foods and corn syrups, including fast foods, drinks, sauces, baked goods, and salad dressings. This cheap additive is used only to enhance the taste of food and really should be avoided at all cost. Read the labels of the foods you eat; you will be surprised. Do not let your food be your poison.
High fructose foods that we often consume – READ the labels
- High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is added in most convenience food, drinks and condiments
- Candies made mainly of sugar, food coloring and additives and fillers (non-food items)
- Sodas and flavored drinks contains a high amount of sugar as high a 40 – 50 grams per serving.
- Bread, pastries and snacks have added HFCS plus added sugars. Make your own bread and snacks.
- Most store bought salad dressings, condiments and sauces, opt for healthier versions or make your own.
- Most canned fruits, especially those canned in syrup, they are high in sugar as well
- Cereals and Nutrition bars, some have added and sugars and HFCS, choose healthier version.
- Processed foods, such chips, cookies and crackers, choose wisely. Do you really need it?
- Ice cream, yogurt, some brands have extra sweetening from HFCS.
- Other high fructose foods include, sports drinks, jam and jellies, coffee creamers and juices.
- Read the labels carefully and avoid the unhealthy ingredients. Your Liver needs your help.
Some examples of everyday foods with fructose, even natural ones, includes:
- Sweeteners like agave nectar, honey, table sugar, and molasses
- Dried fruits, especially dried figs, prunes, dates, and raisins
- Fruits such as apples, pears, mangoes, grapes, lychee, kiwi, and watermelon
- Fruit juices, especially apple juice and grape juice
- Some vegetables, especially sweet corn and sugar snap peas
How to heal a fatty liver with foods.
Even though it is almost impossible to avoid fructose, you can still heal your body and avoid fatty liver disease through a simple change of diet. Some foods that help and even heal fatty liver disease include:
Drink organic black coffee and teas, such as Green tea, Dandelion, Milk thistle, Rose, Schizandra berries, peppermint, Oat chamomile, Jujube fruit, and Lotus teas. They have powerful detoxing and cleansing effect on the liver, blood and the body. The beneficial polyphenols, antioxidants and purging effect, help loosen the liver stiffness due to fat build up.
- Stay hydrated -Drink warm lemon and cucumber water, it helps flush out the toxins. Its also refreshing!
· Cook with extra virgin organic olive and coconut oil. Avoid vegetable, peanut, palm and hydrogenated oils.
· Eat more healthy fish like wild-caught salmon, sardines, and mackerel – all high in omega 3 fatty acids. Also, use fish oils that are high in DHA and EPA. Choose a reputable brand. I like Calsons, it must be refrigerated to keep from spoiling,
· Eat nuts like walnuts, pistachios, macadamias, pecans, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds.(soaked overnight)
· Eat quinoa, brown rice, spelt flour, barley, wheat berries, oats, wheat germ, lentils, and chickpeas (whole, not canned) always soak grains and seeds 24 – 48 hrs to reduce the phytic acid that can block the absorption of certain minerals
· Include more spices when cooking, such as garlic, parsley, cilantro, mint, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, rosemary, bay leaf, basil and oregano, thyme, peppers and lavender they add flavor and beneficial micro nutrients to your meals.
· Eat fruits like grapefruit, lemons, goji berry, avocado, apricots, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.
· There’s a whole host of veggies (and veggie products) to add to your meals, including artichokes, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale, leeks, mushrooms, onions, peppers, pumpkin winter squash, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, tempeh, tofu, turnips, and yams
· Substitute red meat for pastured organic eggs, organic liver, organic free-range chicken, and turkey
· Consume more probiotics like coconut keifer and yogurt, kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickles.
· Eat a Mediterranean diet. This will help decrease fat and add more flexibility to the liver for better function.
· Be sure to exercise regularly, mixing aerobic exercise with vigorous intensity, incorporating yoga for flexibility to lose weight, stay trim and fit, and graduate to a healthier lifestyle. Stay positive, keep smiling!
In simplest terms, eliminate sugar and alcohol. Your liver is counting you, do not disappoint.
Eat wisely and enjoy vibrant health
It is clear that making healthy lifestyle choices have excellent benefits for your body’s wellbeing and organ function. I 
personally know people who passed away from liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. It was quite painful. But remember that you have a choice and an opportunity to reverse liver disease. Substitute the foods that cause fatty liver for ones that help maintain a healthy liver. Now you know better, let’s do better because your life depends on it. Let me know what you think. Does this make sense? Will it help you? Let your food be your medicine not your poison!