Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects up to 75% of overweight adults, approximately 75% of type II diabetes, and about 90% of obese individuals. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD begins when excess fat accumulates in liver cells. Over time, it can progress to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis eventually requiring a liver transplant.
Another risk is primary liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma. A study of almost 600,000 patients found a more than 7.6 fold higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma among NAFLD patients. Five year survival for this type of cancer is less than 20 percent. And one out of five people who develop primary liver disease skip past cirrhosis right to heaptocellular carcinoma.
Abnormal liver test results are frequently the earliest signs of NAFLD which is why people should get routine lab tests done at least every 6 months. Your liver has more than 500 vital functions, some of which I will list below. Don’t wait for NAFLD to reach advanced stages and have to be placed on a liver transplant waiting list or be treated for a cancer that has a low survival rate.
If found early NAFLD treatment with weight loss and medication is highly successful.
Some of the essential functions of the liver include:
- Balancing blood glucose levels
- Cleansing the blood of drugs
- Removing toxic substances
- Breaking down fats
- Making bile to carry away waste
- Converting excess gluscose into glycogen for storage
- Regulating blood levels of amino acids
- Converting poisonous ammonia into urea
- Removing bacteria from the bloodstream
- Processing hemoglobin
- Removing toxins
Don’t wait for NAFLD to reach advanced stages where you have to hope for a liver doner or develop liver cancer. Give us a call at the Doctors Clinic 806-355-8263 or schedule online at DoctorsClinicAmarillo.com.
Author Gerald M. Parker, D.O. Dr. Parker has been practicing as a Doctor of Osteopathy for over 30 years in the Amarillo area. He specializes in treating allergies, atherosclerosis, hormones, pain, obesity, and strokes. Dr. Parker has had ample training in the field of stem cell therapy and completed module I and II workshops by the American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians. He is a member of various organizations, including the American Osteopathic Association, American Osteopathic College of Pain Management and Sclerotherapy, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, and American College of Regenerative Medicine. He’s received recognition as a Physician of the Year by the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Physician’s Advisory Board and is on Marquis’ “Who’s Who in the World” and “Who’s Who in Medicine” list. Dr. Parker has shared his expertise on TV shows, such as “The Today Show,” and “That’s Incredible.”