The Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Strategy™ By Julissa Clay the program discussed in the eBook, Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Strategy, has been designed to improve the health of your liver just by eliminating the factors and reversing the effects caused by your fatty liver. It has been made an easy-to-follow program by breaking it up into lists of recipes and stepwise instructions. Everyone can use this clinically proven program without any risk. You can claim your money back within 60 days if its results are not appealing to you.
What is the difference between NAFLD and NASH?
The words NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis) and NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) both refer to liver diseases that are marked by fat accumulation in the liver, but they differ with regard to the extent of liver damage and inflammation. The following is the demarcation of differences:
1. Definition:
NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease):
This is a general term used for a variety of liver diseases brought on by the accumulation of fat in the liver without causing liver inflammation or liver damage. It normally occurs in individuals who are non-drinkers or only light drinkers.
NAFLD is generally referred to as the least severe condition of fatty liver disease.
NAFLD is characterized mainly by fat deposition in the liver cells (hepatic steatosis) without inflammation, liver cell injury, or scarring.
NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis):
NASH is a more advanced disease than NAFLD. In addition to fat deposition in the liver, NASH involves inflammation, liver cell injury, and some degree of scarring (fibrosis).
NASH is more harmful than simple NAFLD because it carries a risk of progressing to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
2. Liver Damage:
NAFLD:
Fat (triglycerides) is stored in the liver cells, but there is little inflammation or damage to liver tissue.
NASH:
In NASH, there is inflammation of the liver as a result of fat accumulation. The inflammation damages liver cells and the risk of fibrosis (scarring). If left untreated, NASH can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, or even liver cancer.
3. Symptoms:
NAFLD:
The majority of those with NAFLD are asymptomatic or mildly, nonspecifically symptomatic, such as fatigue or right upper quadrant pain.
NASH:
Patients with NASH may also be asymptomatic in the early stages, but after the disease progresses, they may exhibit signs such as abdominal discomfort, fatigue, and spontaneous weight loss. With more advanced statuses, signs of cirrhosis, including jaundice (yellowing of the skin) or ascites (belly swelling), may be present.
4. Risk Factors:
NAFLD and NASH share the same risk factors, including:
Obesity
Type 2 diabetes
Metabolic syndrome (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and central obesity)
Sedentary lifestyle
Diet rich in fat and sugar
Genetic susceptibility
NASH is more common in individuals with long-standing NAFLD, particularly those with additional risk factors such as insulin resistance, higher body mass index (BMI), and increased age.
5. Diagnosis:
NAFLD:
NAFLD is typically diagnosed through blood tests showing elevated liver enzymes (e.g., ALT and AST) and imaging tests, including ultrasound or CT scans, that show fat in the liver.
In rare instances, liver biopsy is required to diagnose NAFLD but can be performed if it is suspected that the liver disease has progressed to NASH or cirrhosis.
NASH:
NASH is diagnosed on the basis of liver biopsy, which may quantify the severity of inflammation, injury, and fibrosis (scarring) of the liver. NASH can be hinted at by imaging and blood tests but needs to be diagnosed with a biopsy.
Non-invasive tools like FibroScan or blood tests may measure liver stiffness to estimate the extent of fibrosis or scarring.
6. Prognosis:
NAFLD:
In most cases, NAFLD is reversible with lifestyle change, such as weight loss, exercise, and diet. In most people, the condition is benign without progressing to more severe liver disease.
NASH:
NASH has a poorer prognosis than NAFLD. The liver inflammation and damage caused by NASH can lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), which can result in liver failure, liver cancer, or the need for a liver transplant.
If detected early, NASH can be treated and even reversed by lifestyle changes and medications to avoid inflammation and liver damage. If left untreated, however, NASH can develop very poorly over the years.
7. Management:
NAFLD:
Management is the treatment of risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and physical inactivity. Weight reduction with diet and exercise is the primary treatment.
NASH:
In addition to the lifestyle changes recommended for NAFLD, NASH occasionally requires more intensive treatments, especially if fibrosis of the liver is detected. Some medications, such as vitamin E and pioglitazone, have shown promise in treating inflammation of the liver in NASH, but no medication has been approved for use in NASH.
8. Potential for Progression:
NAFLD:
If properly managed, NAFLD can be stable and may not progress to more severe liver diseases. Some individuals will, however, develop NASH in the long run.
NASH:
NASH stands a better chance of progressing to more severe liver diseases like cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer if not treated. The risk of developing such conditions is increased in individuals with advanced liver fibrosis.
NAFLD is a milder condition with liver fat accumulation without inflammation, while NASH is a more severe fatty liver disease with inflammation, liver cell damage, and potential fibrosis.
While NAFLD can be managed with lifestyle change and may not progress to more advanced liver disease, NASH requires more careful management due to its higher risk of progressing to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Early diagnosis and lifestyle modification are crucial for the treatment of both conditions as well as to prevent further liver damage.
AFLD (Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) and NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) are both conditions in which fat in the liver is deposited, but the most striking difference between the two is why the fat is deposited. This is how they are different:
1. Cause of the Condition:
AFLD (Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease): It is an alcohol-related disorder. While metabolizing alcohol in the liver, the liver cells become injured and have a buildup of fat, leading to fatty liver. It is inherently linked with the quantity and duration of alcohol consumption.
NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease): NAFLD, nevertheless, occurs in individuals who do not consume high volumes of alcohol. It is predominantly linked with metabolic factors such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, and physical inactivity.
2. Pathophysiology:
AFLD: Alcoholic liver damage causes fat to accumulate in the liver due to improper fat metabolism. The prolonged use of alcohol creates an imbalance of liver function such that fat is accumulated quicker than metabolized.
NAFLD: In NAFLD, fat accumulates as a result of metabolic derangements instead of alcohol-induced liver damage. Conditions such as insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, and overconsumption of calories from an unhealthy diet may cause fat to accumulate in liver cells.
3. Disease Stages:
AFLD and NAFLD both may go through the following stages:
Simple Fatty Liver: In the first stage of both AFLD and NAFLD, fat is stored in the liver but without any inflammation or damage.
Steatohepatitis (Alcoholic or Non-Alcoholic): In this stage, fat storage is also associated with inflammation and damage to liver cells. In the case of NAFLD, this stage is referred to as NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis), while for AFLD it’s ASH (Alcoholic Steatohepatitis).
Fibrosis: As the inflammation persists, both conditions may lead to fibrosis, or scarring of the liver tissue.
Cirrhosis: Eventually, the liver becomes badly scarred, which can impair liver function and possibly lead to liver failure.
Liver Cancer: Both AFLD and NAFLD increase the risk of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), particularly in those with cirrhosis.
4. Symptoms:
AFLD: AFLD symptoms are often linked with the effects of alcohol on the liver, including:
Abdominal pain (mainly in the upper right area)
Fatigue
Loss of appetite and nausea
Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) in later stages
Swelling of the stomach or legs (ascites or edema) due to fluid buildup
NAFLD: In the early stage, most individuals with NAFLD do not have symptoms. As the condition advances, individuals may experience:
Fatigue
Stomach discomfort
Inexplicable weight loss (in advanced cases)
5. Diagnosis:
AFLD: Diagnosis is usually based on a history of excessive alcohol consumption. Blood tests to measure liver function, ultrasound, or other imaging tests (like CT or MRI) are employed to detect fat in the liver. Liver biopsy may also be needed to assess the extent of liver injury.
NAFLD: NAFLD is diagnosed in patients without a history of alcohol intake. It typically reveals itself incidentally as a part of routine blood examinations that show elevated liver enzymes or imaging studies (like ultrasound or CT). Liver biopsy is sometimes required for a definitive diagnosis, particularly to differentiate simple steatosis from NASH.
6. Risk Factors:
AFLD: The key risk factor is alcohol excess, but the exact amount varies for each person. Malnutrition and obesity may also be causative factors.
NAFLD: NAFLD has shared metabolic risk factors like obesity, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and physical inactivity. Genetics might play a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.
7. Treatment and Management:
AFLD: The primary therapy for AFLD is cessation of all alcohol use. This might prevent further liver injury. Changes in diet, weight reduction, and management of other disease conditions (like diabetes or hypercholesterolemia) are also important components of treatment.
NAFLD: Treatment of NAFLD is aimed at treating the underlying metabolic disorders. Important management options are weight reduction, a balanced diet, and exercise. Control of diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol levels is also important. In advanced NAFLD (such as NASH), drugs can be employed to decrease inflammation, and liver transplantation can be done in cirrhosis or liver failure.
Conclusion:
While AFLD and NAFLD are both disorders of fat accumulation in the liver, the important distinction is that AFLD is caused by alcohol use, while NAFLD occurs without the intake of alcohol and is most often linked with metabolic risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia. Both of the conditions are capable of developing into liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer if left unaddressed, but treatment avenues differ with AFLD being directed towards abstinence from alcohol and NAFLD being directed towards metabolic management and lifestyle change.
The Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Strategy™ By Julissa Clay the program discussed in the eBook, Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Strategy, has been designed to improve the health of your liver just by eliminating the factors and reversing the effects caused by your fatty liver. It has been made an easy-to-follow program by breaking it up into lists of recipes and stepwise instructions. Everyone can use this clinically proven program without any risk. You can claim your money back within 60 days if its results are not appealing to you