Fatty liver or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition of fat (triglyceride) accumulation in liver cells in people who do not consume excessive alcohol. It is actually a spectrum of disorders – from simple steatosis (only fatty infiltration) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) where inflammation and liver cell damage also occur, which can progress to fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver. Fatty liver is closely associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome and has become a leading cause of liver disorders in the world. Although it initially does not cause symptoms, fatty liver is a serious warning of metabolic imbalance in the body.
Symptoms of fatty liver: often there are no pronounced symptoms, especially in the early stages. It is possible to feel:
- Discomfort or mild pain in the upper right part of the abdomen (where the liver is located)
- Chronic fatigue and weakness
- In advanced NASH: loss of appetite, nausea, weakness, possibly yellowing of the skin and eyes (if liver failure develops, which is rare before cirrhosis)
Most often, fatty liver is discovered accidentally, by ultrasound of the abdomen or elevated liver enzymes on blood tests. The causes are primarily obesity and insulin resistance – excess calories (especially from sugars and unhealthy fats) lead to the accumulation of triglycerides in the liver. Excess fructose from sugary drinks, for example, is directly converted into fat in the liver.
Chronic low-intensity inflammation that accompanies obesity and insulin resistance also contributes to liver damage: adipose tissue secretes inflammatory cytokines that also reach the liver. In the NASH form, the fatty liver itself becomes inflamed – fatty liver cells secrete inflammatory signals and attract immune cells, creating a hepatitis process.
Oxidative stress plays a central role in the transition from “benign” fatty liver to inflammatory NASH: when the liver tries to metabolize excess fat, free radicals are created that damage hepatocytes (liver cells). Also, fat deposits in the liver make it difficult for blood to flow and lead to hypoxia in parts of the tissue, which further creates oxidative stress. This damage then leads to the death of some cells and fibrosis (scarring). Immunological imbalance is reflected in the excessive activation of liver cells (Kupffer cells – liver macrophages) that produce inflammatory mediators and contribute to the development of inflammation and fibrosis.
Natural support for the body
The basis of treating fatty liver is changing the diet and reducing body weight. Even in the absence of significant weight loss, a diet with less refined sugar and more whole grains reduces the deposition of new fat in the liver. Spelt contributes to reducing triglycerides in the blood – fiber and a low glycemic index reduce lipogenesis (fat formation) in the liver. Especially if spelt enriched with omega-3 is used. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce the synthesis of triglycerides in the liver and improve the ratio of fatty acids, which can even lead to regression of fatty liver.
Detoxification is essential: the liver is an organ for detoxification, and when it is overloaded with fats, additional toxins damage it even more. Chlorophyll from spelt and antioxidants help the liver neutralize toxins and reduce oxidative stress. Specifically, spelt is rich in vitamin E and betaine (a natural compound in cereals) – vitamin E has shown benefits in the treatment of NASH because it reduces oxidative stress in the liver, and betaine helps in methylation processes and reduces the level of homocysteine, which is beneficial for the liver.
Spelt contains choline in traces (a precursor of betaine), and choline is very important for preventing fatty liver – it helps in the transport of fat from the liver (a lack of choline in humans can cause fatty liver). Anti-inflammatory properties of spelt also affect the liver: by reducing inflammatory cytokines through weight loss and better nutrients, the liver gradually recovers. The lack of easily digestible simple sugars in the spelt diet also means less stimulation for inflammatory processes (because hyperglycemia promotes inflammation).
By combining spelt with other aspects of the Mediterranean diet (lots of vegetables, healthy fats from olive oil, fish), a regimen is created that can not only stop, but also partially reverse fatty liver. In short, spelt helps the liver to degrease and recover: it enables the loss of excess fat, protects cells from damage and provides building elements for renewal. It is a natural and effective path to a healthier liver, with regular check-ups with a doctor and possible use of medical therapy if the liver is already in the hepatitis phase.