Help, I Have a Fatty Liver!
- janlindquist
- Oct 8, 2024
- 5 min read
Fatty liver disease is becoming a common diagnosis for many and the current model of care leaves us with lots of unanswered questions around treatments, medications and a hopeful prognosis.
Having a healthy liver is vital to dealing with the many toxic chemicals in our environment.
A healthy liver allows us to remain healthy, rarely get sick and able to maintain plenty of energy to live life to the fullest.
Unfortunately for many people, the diagnosis of fatty liver disease [which actually means that your liver is full of fat] begins a downward path toward chronic disease and inflammation.
Early signs of Fatty Liver and Insulin Resistance.
Fatigue, poor sleep, brain fog, energy crashed [especially after eating]
Weight gain especially in the belly
Sweet cravings, especially at night
Bloating, constipation
Elevated cholesterol, triglycerides
PMOS, type 2 diabetes, hormone imbalances
Blood sugar swings, feeling really hungry
Elevated liver enzymes [ALT, AST, GGT]
Fatty liver isn't just a liver problem.
Downstream Effects of Fatty Liver.
High triglycerides because the liver converts the extra glucose into fat and puts it back into bloodstream.
Low HDL/High LDL is a direct effect of insulin resistance tht wordens the cholesterol ratios, and LDL recycling isn't efficient.
Hormone imbalances due to the liver struggling to clear excess estrogen and toxins.
Digestive issues due to gut-liver axis becoming inflamed.
Insulin resistance becomes a BIG problem and this turns off fat burning and keeps us in a fat storage mode.
A Frustrating Loop.
Weight gain, increased belly fat
Increased cravings and hunger
Inflammation
Discouragement - You feel like a faliure because "nothing" is working!
Our liver is our metabolic command center. When it's overwhemed, our whole system begins to backfire.
Fatty Liver - The Silent Epidemic.
When we consume a diet full of fructose from processed, packaged foods and sugary beverages, we place a huge burden on our liver. This increases the likelihood of receiving a diagnosis of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease [NAFLD].
Fatty liver disease affects over a third of the population of the world with a condition that's very serious and causes a cascade of other health problems.
Common Conditions Linked to Fatty Liver.
Type 2 Diabetes
Heart Disease
Cancer
Gallstones
Reflux
Thyroid issues
Kidney Stones
Depression
Pregnancy & Fetal problems
Some Good News.
Fatty Liver Disease is both preventable and reversible and early detection, with dietary and lifestyle adjustments are a vital step in saving the liver.
It's All Connected.
It's time to consider our diet, gut health and exposure to more and more environmental toxins as the main driver of a diagnosis of fatty liver disease.
Unfortunately, in conventional medicine the solution is to “manage” the disease with drugs, hoping the patient will avoid an eventual liver transplant.
This “solution” has many drawbacks that can be eliminated when it’s looked at as a Metabolic Nutritional Problem that can be effectively treated through diet and lifestyle changes.
This wise approach provides a hopeful path toward recovery and full health.
Begin Here.
Avoid packaged, processed foods with unpronounceable ingredients.
Break-up with fast food, Starbucks, Quick Stops, etc.- anywhere “food-like” products are poisoning your health.
Value health over the immediate and short-lived pleasure of eating junk.
Remember my friend, you are worth the investment of eating quality, real whole foods every day.
Choose.
Healthy fats like avocado and olive oils, ghee, organic coconut oil and grass-fed organic butter.
Aim for 30 + grams of fiber from fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes.
Focus on 30+ grams of the best quality protein sources you can afford. Eat grass-fed and finished beef, bison and lamb, pastured poultry and pork, organic free-range eggs.
Include a few probiotic foods every day. Try sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, kefir, and apple cider vinegar.
Drink 64+ ounces of filtered water daily and include electrolytes to replace minerals we loose..
Get outside and move your body every day.
Include resistance training along with walking, biking, pickle ball, tennis or anything that gets you to move more.
Guard your sleep. by choosing an early bedtime [10pm] and work towards getting 8 hours of sleep at night.
Get up earlier to greet the sun and try walking barefoot without your sunglasses to set your circadian clock.
Creating healthy rhythms takes time and practice. At first you won’t feel or see any changes, but keep moving forward one step at a time, knowing that each healthy choice is moving you toward your best health.
3 Steps For Change.
Get Labs Now.
You can get real answers by running these vital labs that matter most to address fatty liver, cholesterol health, and insulin resistance.
Fasting Glucose - baseline blood sugar [optimal range: 70-85 mg/dL]
Fasting Insulin - exposes chronically elevated insulin [<8 uIU/mL, optimal <5]
HOMA-IR -glucose X insulin/ 405 = insulin resistance score [<1.5]
HbA1c - 3-month blood sugar average [<5.4]
Triglyceride /HDL ratio shows inflammation & cardiovascular risk [<1.5, lower is better]
GGT - early liver stress marker [<20 U/L]
Waist Circumference - measures belly fat, higher = insulin resistance [men-<37", women-<31"]
Test every 3-4 months to track progress, when optimal-yearly.
If your doctor won't run these tests, you can reach out and I can help.
Join 90-Day Feel Great Reset
This will reverse fatty liver, decrease belly fat, improve cholesterol and triglyceride ratios, and support hormones by focusng on both Insulin Levels and Liver Support.
Sign up for the Feel Great System.
2 Yerba Mate tea sachets that contains a highly concentrated form cholorogenic acid a potent antioxidant and polyphenol that improves blood pressure, blood sugar regulation, lowers weight, cognitive function and cardiovascular health
1 pre-meal fiber blend that blunts blood sugar and insulin spike. [taken daily before largest carbohydrate meal].
Used daily, these powerful nutraceuticals lower cravings, reduce liver fat, and rebalance the gut-liver axis.
Learn How to Eat to Support Low Insulin.
Use meal timing, meal order, protein+fiber, and light exposure to reset metabolism naturally.
A program that's safe, sustainable, and centered in how our body is actually designed to function properly.
Bi-weekly Support & Accountability.
Live zoom session with me as your coach with your Feel Great subscription.
Questions, labs, and everything around using Feel Great is explained.
Stay motivated and connected.
USE THIS LINK to order your Feel Great System with my discount.
After signing up, you will receive a welcome from me and a zoom link to join our 90-Day Reset Group.
Feel Great 90-day Reset Begins Monday June 1st 6:30pm PT.
No worries if you just signed up and the first session is over. All sessions are recorded and you can jump in anytime.
I hope to see you in class!
Jan Lindquist, NTP
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