For those who suffer from an alcoholic fatty liver, the main precaution one needs to take is to stop drinking completely. Other precautions that apply equally to everyone with a fatty liver include losing weight by exercising and making dietary and lifestyle changes. Losing weight is essential for anyone with a fatty liver, be it an alcoholic or a nonalcoholic one. The American Gastroenterological Association recommends that those with NASH lose a minimum of 10% of their body weight.
Weight loss can be accomplished by making dietary changes and by exercising. Dietary changes will help to lower your calorie intake while exercising will help you to burn off those extra calories.
In making dietary changes you will need to keep a track of your overall calorie intake. Include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grain cereals in your diet and use only non-fat dairy products. Minimize your use of oil and avoid eating junk food and sugary foods. Other foods to avoid include red meat, high fat meat and processed meats such as beef, pork, bacon and salami. Substitute these meats with lean meat such as poultry and fish. Studies have shown that diets that are high in foods with a high glycemic index such as white bread, white rice and sugar can result in a fatty liver. They too should be avoided.
Regular exercise is also essential. Your exercise routine need not be a heavy workout. A daily routine of aerobic exercises for an hour can help you to lose weight if combined with the dietary changes suggested. Your doctor may also prescribe a drug known as orlistat (Xenical) that helps to decrease the absorption of fat. However, this may be used as a last resort if all other measures to lose weight have failed.
answered by K C