D o y o u need to reboot your liver?

develop the condition than women, after menopause, Prof Fallowfield es that, “women’s risk increases d may be similar to that of men”. Many of us might be worried that erindulging at Christmas and New ar could have tipped our livers over e edge, but he is reassuring.

“An isolated instance of overindulnce might not be a direct trigger, ut a recurring pattern of overeating, articularly if it results in obesity or etabolic imbalances over time, can ease the risk of developing it.”

ASLD is often referred to as a t” disease. ome people may experience ue, weakness or discomfort in the r right side of the abdomen in the stages,” says Prof Fallowfield. it progresses to cause liver osis, symptoms like jaundice, ointestinal bleeding, abdominal ing and confusion can occur.” how can you tell if you have it? here is no single test to diagnose the disease,” explains Prof Fallowfield. “There are blood tests to check for liver damage, an ultrasound or other imaging tests to measure the build-up of fat or scar tissue in the liver, and sometimes a liver biopsy for confirmation.”

Unlike other organs, the liver is able to regenerate and repair itself and in the early stages damage can be reversed.

“Losing weight by eating healthily and being more physically active can help reduce liver fat and even liver scarring,” says Prof Fallowfield. “Once liver scarring is severe [cirrhosis], damage may be irreversible.”

Along with weight loss and exercise, other health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol need to be under control.

“This reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes that are the leading cause of death in people with MASLD.”

Sharan adds: “It’s about making dietary changes, such as including more whole foods in your diet to make you feel fuller for longer, eating lean meat, cutting down on ultra-processed foods and moving more – even for just 30 minutes a day.

“They need to be small, sustainable changes you can keep to. Avoid alcohol and stay away from added free sugars. Make small swaps, such as swapping white bread and rice for brown.

“It can be as simple as having more vegetables.”

However, having a fatty liver doesn’t mean you can never have chocolate again.

“I don’t say cut it out completely, I recommend limiting it as I want my clients to get the stuff that their body needs from fruit, vegetables, fresh poultry, beans and pulses.

“But if you want some chocolate, eat it mindfully and let your brain register that you are eating chocolate rather than simply feeling the sugar high afterwards.” Because genetics could play a part, Sharan is tested every year.

“There are no signs – not until it progresses,” she says. “Often when people are diagnosed, they might work on it for a month or so but because they don’t have any symptoms, they forget about it. When they get checked again, they want to do something about it but it could be too late.

“Once you’ve been diagnosed you have to be careful for the rest of your life. Your lifestyle and dietary changes must be sustainable.

“This disease doesn’t have to be here,” she adds. “People are more educated about it and hopefully they’ll soon have the same awareness as they do about diabetes and high blood pressure.”

■■January is Love Your Liver month. To learn more and see if the Love Your Liver roadshow, offering free liver scans, is visiting your area this spring, visit britishlivertrust.org.uk

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You need to cut down on ultraprocessed foods and move more