21/7/2025–|Last update: 09:21 (Mecca time)
Oman- The liver works silently and hidden, performs vital functions that are indispensable, protects the body from exposure to toxins, and the liver plays a major role in fat metabolism. The main center for the manufacture of fatty acids and fat circulation is through the manufacture of fatty proteins (lipopopotein). But what happens when fat begins to accumulate on it? Is it possible that this accumulation leads to serious diseases without feeling?
The consultant of the diseases of the digestive and liver system, Dr. Youssef Al -Ajlouni, said that the liver is one of the most important organs in the human body, because of its multiple and essential functions, most notably the production of bile (Bile) necessary for the process of digestion. This juice is made up of salts والوليسترول And the water and bilirubin material Wallet The small intestine helps analyze food, absorb fats, cholesterol and some vitamins.
Al -Ajlouni explained that the liver has a direct role in the blood clotting process, as it plays a role in absorbing the vitamin K (K) necessary to prevent blood bleeding, through the production of the bile juice that it secretes. The liver is also responsible for the metabolism of bilirubin, a substance that is caused by hemoglobin analysis, and is necessary for liver function.
He pointed out that the liver has a major role in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, as the bile juice works to analyze fats and facilitate its absorption, and carbohydrates in the liver are stored in the form of glycogen and converted into glucose when needed to ensure a balance of sugar in the body. The liver also stores a set of Vitamins Important minerals such as “A” vitamins (A), “D” (D), “E”, “K” and “B12” (B12), in addition to iron and copper.
And Al -Ajlouni indicated that the liver has other functions that include the metabolism of proteins, their breaking, filtering and purification of blood, enhancing the work of the immune system, and the production of albumin, which is the main protein in the blood, as well as the manufacture of the hormone “Angiotensinogen” (Angiotensinogen), which plays a role in raising blood pressure when it turns into its active form.
Filled fat on the liver
He explained that the presence of a certain amount of fat in the liver is normal, but the accumulation of fat by more than 5% to 10% of the liver weight may indicate the presence of a disease that may cause serious complications. Liver fat is divided into two main types: non -alcoholic fatty liver and alcoholic fatty liver.
In the first type, called “Non-ALCOOHOLIC FATY Live Disease”, two cases appear: simple fatty liver, as fat accumulates in the liver without infections or damage to the cells, and “nonalcoholic steatohepatitis”, as accumulation occurs with infections It is damaged in the liver cells, which may lead to cirrhosis.
As for the second type, “alcoholic Liver Disease”, it occurs as a result of excessive drinking of alcohol, and it may develop into fibrosis if a person continues to drink.
Al -Ajlouni emphasized that the severity of fatty liver disease varies between simple and advanced conditions, and the disease may end with cirrhosis or even hepatic failure if it is not treated. He added that there are several common causes of liver fat.
He said that some groups are more likely to have liver fat, such as people who suffer from Obesity Or weight gain, patients Diabetic Those who often suffer from insulin resistance and injured people With high blood pressure Those who share similar risk factors with diabetics, as well as those who suffer from high cholesterol.
Exposed groups also include those with metabolic syndrome that combines obesity, high pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, in addition to those who have a family history of fatty liver disease, and women after menopause due to hormonal changes that may increase the risk of fat accumulation in the liver.
He also pointed out that toxins, and the use of some medications such as corticosteroids, tamoxifin and some chemotherapy medications, in addition to genetic disorders, may lead to the accumulation of fat in the liver. In rare cases, this accumulation may occur during the end of pregnancy, and then is known as the loader liver.
Al -Ajlouni indicated that oily liver disease does not cause clear symptoms in most people, but in advanced cases symptoms such as pain or fullness of the abdomen, nausea, loss of appetite and weight, a feeling of general weakness, yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice), flatulence in the abdomen and legs, and severe fatigue, may appear, and symptoms may reach physical confusion.
Dangerous developments
The consultant of internal diseases and a specialist in the digestive system, liver, diagnostic and therapeutic therapeutic, Dr. Basil Al -Khalidi, says that the diagnosis of fatty liver disease is usually through a group of means that include medical history, clinical examination, and laboratory and photographic tests. The disease is often discovered by chance during a routine blood test, as it is noticed that a height of liver enzymes, especially “ALT” and “AST”, is noticed, which requires additional tests.
Al -Khalidi adds that ultrasound photography (Ultrasound) is used as an initial tool to diagnose the presence of fats on the liver, where the liver appears in a bright appearance as a result of the accumulation of fat, while in some cases it resorted to “Magnetic Resonance Imaging” or “CTS” to obtain a higher accuracy in the evaluation. In cases suspected of arrogant fatty inflammation or fibrosis, it may be recommended to perform a hepatic biopsy to determine the extent of fibrosis or inflammation.
And it warns that liver fat, if left without treatment, may lead to serious complications that begin with non -fat accumulation, and then turn into non -alcoholic fatty hepatitis, which leads to liver cell damage. In the event that the intervention is not made, the matter develops into a fibrosis, as it is replaced by the healthy liver tissues with fibrous tissues that hinder its functions, up to the stage of cirrhosis, which is one of the most dangerous stages, and is related to the high risk of infection Liver cancerAnd the failure of the liver, and the high portal pressure, and these cases may require cultivation of the liver.
Al -Khalidi stresses that the treatment until today does not include a drug that is directly dependent on the treatment of liver fat, but rather depends on treating causes and improving lifestyle. Weight loss gradually is one of the most important steps of treatment, as losing between 7 to 10% of weight can cause a noticeable improvement in liver function.
He stressed the need to control associated chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, in addition to complete abstinence of wine, and regular physical activity. In some cases, drugs may be used to treat insulin resistance or to reduce triglycerides, but always under careful medical supervision.
Al -Khalidi adds that the diet is the foundation stone in the treatment of liver fat, and it is preferable to follow the Mediterranean, vegetable, olive oil, fish, and nuts system, while reducing repeated carbohydrates and saturated fats, as this contributes to reducing the accumulation of fat on the liver.
It also recommends practicing regular physical activity, such as walking for 30 minutes a day, improving exercise from insulin sensitivity, and reduces fat inside the liver even without a great weight loss, both through Resistance exercises or Cardio exercisesStressing that the combination of proper nutrition and sports is the most successful way to treatment.
It also recommends conducting periodic examinations of liver function, especially for those who suffer from chronic diseases such as obesity or diabetes, and not taking any medications or supplements without medical advice, in addition to the importance of good sleep and avoiding stress, given the effect of the psychological state on the health of the liver indirectly.