Fatty liver – an emerging disease

FATTY liver is a lifestyle disease that is on the rise among Malaysians especially those who are overweight and obese. A study of prevalence and risk factors among the Malaysian population reveals that one out of five people were found to have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (fat build-up in the liver due to increased calorie intake).

With no noticeable symptoms in the early stages, people might not know they have fatty liver unless diagnosed through blood analysis, liver ultrasound inspection or biopsy test. Some people may experience fatigue, pain on the right side near the bottom of the rib cage, unexplained weight loss and weakness. As the condition becomes serious, signs are more apparent, like jaundice (the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), skin itchiness, ascites (abdominal swelling), and edema (swelling in the legs and feet).

Fatty liver is not deadly but ignoring and avoiding treatment may lead to the progression of more serious liver conditions such as fibrosis and cirrhosis. There are two forms of fatty liver diseases, namely nonalcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver (due to excessive alcohol intake).

PC when taken together with vitamins B and E, have additional benefits in assisting liver regeneration and protection against free radicals. This combination has been clinically proven to better both clinical and biochemical indicators of liver disease including fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Phospholipid (PC) Serves as building blocks to replace damaged liver cells.

Vitamin B Completes the liver detoxification process, breaks down fats into energy to prevent continual fat build-up in the liver, enhance glutathione (an antioxidant that gives free radicals protection) production in liver cells.

Vitamin E Acts as an antioxidant to neutralise free radicals, stopping the chain reaction of free radical damage at the liver cell membrane.

Maintaining a healthy body weight and staying physically active are also important in preventing this silent disease.

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