Green tea and exercise may be the key to preventing fatty liver disease. This is according to a recent study by researchers from Pennsylvania State University. For their study, they fed mice a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to induce obesity-related fatty liver disease.

They found that mice with fatty livers that consumed green tea extract and exercised regularly by running on a wheel had just a quarter of the lipid deposits present in the livers of obese mice. Meanwhile, mice treated with green tea extract or exercise alone had half as much fat in their livers as the control mice.

These findings suggest that the combination of green tea and exercise may help reduce the severity of obesity-related fatty liver disease.

Green tea extract and exercise for fatty liver disease

Aside from analyzing the mice’s liver tissues, the researchers also measured the protein and fat content in their feces. They found that the mice that consumed green tea extract and exercised had higher lipid and protein levels in their feces, which means their bodies were handling food and processing nutrients differently.

The researchers believe polyphenols in green tea extract are behind its apparent benefits. Polyphenols are a big family of naturally occurring compounds in plants. They’re included in many supplements, but they’re also easy to get in your diet from plant-based foods, such as tea, fruits, vegetables, spices and whole grains.

The polyphenols in green tea extract likely interacted with the digestive enzymes secreted in the small intestine of the mice and partially prevented the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in food. If a mouse doesn’t digest the fat in its diet, that fat will just pass through its gut. A certain amount of that fat will come out in the mouse’s feces.

This is likely why mice treated with green tea extract alone or with exercise had higher lipid levels in their feces than the control mice.

The researchers also found that mice treated with green tea extract and exercise had a higher expression of genes related to the formation of new mitochondria – the power plants of a cell. This gene expression is important because it can help scientists better understand how green tea polyphenols and exercise work to mitigate fatty liver deposits.

More studies are needed to see if green tea extract and exercise work together to reduce fat deposits in the liver or if their effects are just additive. In the meantime, the researchers advise exercising more often and replacing unhealthy, high-calorie beverages with healthier ones like green tea to prevent fatty liver disease.

Keeping your liver healthy

There is currently no mainstream cure for obesity-related fatty liver disease, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Yet this condition is estimated to be the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the United States, affecting 80 to 100 million individuals. That figure is expected to go beyond 100 million by 2030.

But that isn’t to say that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can’t be prevented or treated in its early stages. A combination of dietary modifications and increased physical activity remains a popular therapy for people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. If the disease is addressed as soon as possible, liver damage can be avoided.

But don’t wait to develop liver problems before you tweak your lifestyle choices. Taking steps to ensure that your liver is healthy even in the absence of liver problems may greatly reduce your risk of developing any of those problems.

On that note, here’s what you can do to keep your liver happy and healthy:

• Avoid fatty, salty foods. Stay away from fried foods as these are often high in fat and salt – both of these can do a number on your liver.
• Limit alcohol intake. Depending on the state of your liver, you may have to avoid alcohol. If you’re allowed alcohol, limit it to no more than one to two drinks a day. Excessive consumption of alcohol causes the destruction of liver cells.
• Eat a balanced diet. Make sure your diet has all the essentials, like grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, healthy oils and lean meats.
• Increase your fiber intake. Dietary fiber helps your liver function properly. Plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains are excellent sources of dietary fiber.
• Drink plenty of water. Water prevents dehydration and helps your liver function properly.

Fatty liver disease is a common disorder that can lead to irreversible consequences if left unchecked. Keep your liver healthy by avoiding fried foods, limiting your alcohol intake and eating a well-balanced diet.

Sources:

IntegrativePractitioner.com

WJG.net

LiverFoundation.org