Fatty liver disease is a condition where fat builds up in your liver. This condition can lead to inflammation of cells, causing the liver to get bigger.
This condition can trigger for two reasons:
- Nonalcoholic – This is a condition where fat deposits are not caused due to alcohol consumption.
- Alcoholic, also known as alcoholic steatohepatitis, is caused due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Fatty Liver Disease Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes
Fatty liver disease is not directly caused due to diabetes type 2. Obesity and insulin resistance are common to both. Uncontrolled obesity and A1c levels can cause fatty liver in diabetics. Fatty liver can be a concern as it can affect metabolism and blood sugar regulation. If left unchecked, it can increase the risk of heart disease.
Major risk factors include:
- Unhealthy diet
- Being obese
- High cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
In type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance can cause changes in hormones and can affect enzymes in the body, leading to an increase in free fatty acids that can flow into the liver.
How to Diagnose Fatty Liver Disease?
- Blood Test: Blood tests help identify abnormal liver function. It helps detect inflamed liver cells.
- Imaging Studies: Abdominal ultrasounds can help diagnose this condition, although it cannot differentiate between a fatty liver in general and a non-alcoholic fatty liver.
- Liver Biopsy: A liver biopsy is expensive; however, analysing the tissue can help detect the difference between a fatty liver in general and a non-alcoholic fatty liver.
Better Diabetes Management
Fatty liver disease can be prevented and reversed.
- Weight loss: Losing weight helps and can do wonders for the liver. But make sure weight loss is a gradual process as rapid weight loss can worsen the condition.
- Exercise: Exercise again leads to weight loss and improves insulin sensitivity which can improve the condition.
- Medication: Certain diabetes pills like metformin boost insulin sensitivity and can prove beneficial.
- Diet: Diet plays a key role in the production of liver fat. A well-managed diet is key to diabetes management and liver fat loss. Limiting saturated and trans fats can help increase sensitivity to insulin and lower inflammation. Limiting carbs lowers sugar levels in the blood and can help promote better management of diabetes.
Read More: Diabetes and Hypertension | The Lethal Combination
Invest in a Glucometer
Maintaining a good lifestyle and normal blood sugar levels can be difficult. Regular sugar testing is costly and time taking. Instead, invest in a glucometer. You can buy glucometer online. The best glucometer would be one which connects with a diabetes management app. You can also alert important contacts when blood sugar is low or high.