What Medications Are Recommended for Moderate Fatty Liver Disease?

The liver is a vital organ in the human body, and various factors can lead to liver diseases, with fatty liver being a typical example. If the condition is not detected promptly, it can progress to moderate fatty liver, necessitating timely treatment to prevent further deterioration. So, what medications are suitable for treating moderate fatty liver? Let's explore.

Currently, there are no specific drugs that can effectively prevent or treat fatty liver. Western medicine typically involves the use of hepatoprotective agents, lipid-lowering drugs, and antioxidants, such as vitamins B, C, and E, lecithin, ursodeoxycholic acid, silymarin, inosine, coenzyme A, reduced glutathione, taurine, carnitine lactate, and certain lipid-lowering drugs. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine herbs like Danshen, Hawthorn, Cassia Seed, Alisma, Bupleurum, and Wuling San can also be used for treatment.

Maintaining a diverse diet is crucial for fatty liver patients. Each food contains different nutrients, and no single food, apart from breast milk, can provide all the nutrients needed by the human body. Daily, our bodies require over 40 nutrients, which cannot be met by relying on one or a few simple foods. Therefore, it is recommended to consume a wide range of foods, including cereals, animal products, vegetables and fruits, legumes, dairy products, and fats.

Cereals should form the staple of a fatty liver patient's diet, avoiding a meat-heavy approach. Coarse grains are particularly recommended. Appropriate consumption of animal-based foods, including 2-3 servings of seafood per week, is also beneficial. Animal proteins provide amino acids that are well-suited to human needs, and seafood, especially marine fish, is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, beneficial for preventing chronic diseases.

Consuming 500 grams of vegetables and 2 servings of fruits daily is advisable. These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and natural antioxidants. Fruits are best consumed as snacks between meals to avoid overloading the pancreas with carbohydrates.

Energy intake should be controlled for fatty liver patients, with recommended intakes varying based on activity levels. For those with mild activity, 30-35 kcal/kg per day is suitable, while obese or overweight individuals should aim for 20-25 kcal/kg per day.

Reducing sugar and sweetened foods is crucial as excess sugar can convert to fat, contributing to obesity and fatty liver formation. Carbohydrates should primarily come from whole grains rather than refined sugars, honey, juices, jams, and other sweet treats.

Plant-based oils are beneficial for fatty liver patients as they contain no cholesterol and have components that can prevent or reverse fatty changes in liver cells. Total fat intake, including cooking oils, should not exceed 40 grams per day, and high-cholesterol foods like animal fats, organ meats, egg yolks, crab roe, squid, and cuttlefish should be consumed in moderation.

Increasing dietary fiber is also essential. A balanced diet combining whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and foods rich in fiber like seaweed and konjac can aid in the elimination of metabolic waste and regulate blood lipid and sugar levels.

In summary, managing fatty liver involves a multifaceted approach, including dietary modifications, controlling energy intake, reducing sugar and sweetened foods, and incorporating healthy fats and fibers into the diet.