Hay Docs / Brain Trust, I have Fat Deposits on my Liver - What Can I Eat?

[M.D. Holloway]

My enzymes have been high for over a year now. Thought it might be the Lipitor I was on but nope. Went in and had a sonogram done and my Doc says I have fatty deposits on my liver. Her recommendation is to:
1) Eat Better - no more junk, or fried foods increase veg and fruit intake.
2) Reduce or better yet stop drinking for 3-6 months or longer
3) Exercise (kinda tough with two different vertebrae that say other wise - but I have started walking.)

OK - I can do this. Heck, I can do just about anything! Eat better? Heck, I was a vegan for 4 years! Give up booze? Hmmm...well, I quit smoking cold turkey so I can do this too! Exercise, if a nice brisk walk everyday for 30 to 45 minutes will do then that is easy.

I just don't know what to eat is all. Do I go vegan again? Everything I have read says high fiber, low refined cabs (white bread, white rice and sugars) and plenty of veggies and fruits. Reduce meats to maybe once or twice a week.

Any ideas for a menu throughout the week?

[red-beard]

Geez you're a mess!

Anyway, I hope you're better soon!

[M.D. Holloway]

nothing a few shots can't handle...opps, can't do that anymore.

[Danny_Ocean]

Oatmeal!

When I couldn't eat "real" food, I had oatmeal for breakfast/lunch/dinner. Went from 179lbs. to 142lbs. in about 3 weeks. Now that I'm back eating "real" food (read: junk), I'm back up to 169.

[azasadny]

Lube,
I've been living with this (NASH) for many years and I've got it under control. Send me a PM and I'll give you a call, if you'd like. Much info for you. Quick advice is to reduce/stop eating/drinking high fructose corn syrup, as the high concentration of sugars is difficult for the liver to process and it metabolizes to fat and is stored in the liver. I'm not a nutjob, I just want to pass on what I've learned to help a fellow Pelican!

[azasadny]

Lube,
Lentil soup, Japanese and Thai food, beans, vegetables, avocados, tart cherries (dried and juice), Stevia for sweetener for coffee (2 cups per day), no alcohol, no red meat only chicken or fish once or twice a week, lots of water/tea/juice with no high frustose corn syrup, NO FAST FOOD, small amounts of salad dressing... You can do it, it's a lifestyle, not a diet. My liver enzymes are now in the 20's and 30's, where I want them to be... I feel better and can sleep again...

[Tobra]

You have most of it, throw all your tylenol away right now, all you can do is diet and activity.

Where you messed up is in your choice of ancestors, that sheet is genetic Mike, or lots of it is. I saw a tube of blood one time that looked like a freakin strawberry milkshake it had so much cholesterol laden goo in it.

[azasadny]

I have metabolic syndrome/dyslipidemia which leads to fatty liver/NAFLD/NASH and can progress to other diseases (diabetes, heart disease, etc...) if not managed. No cure, you have to aggressively manage it and change your lifestyle. It's worked for me and I feel better and I've got my liver enzymes down, cholesterol is down (thanks, Zocor!) and I've dropped 15lbs. I stay active and concentrate on what I CAN eat and drink and not on what I CAN'T eat and drink.

[scottmandue]

I got to get on this bandwagon too...

My numbers aren't that bad (not that good either) but at 53 it is use it or loose it...

Fortunatly I'm not a big meat eater... not vegatarian or vegan... but I can go for days without meat and don't miss it a bit.

I do like my beer/wine... sigh

[azasadny]

Focus on reducing complex sugars, animal fats and alcohol. Your liver will thank you and you may see a significant drop in liver enzymes (AST. ALT, GGTP, etc...) as well as drop a few lbs, which also helps.

[artplumber]

Mike,
Art's all over this problem. Lots of good info for ya.
And you must change your "chemistry" for the "better living through chemistry" saying. Find ways to get the Endorphins going.

[speeder]

What's a Hay doctor?

[azasadny]

I'm sitting here eating dried tart Michigan cherries, drinking Powerade Zero (no sugar, just electrolytes and a little flavoring), just finished detailing my MazdaSpeed3 and our son's Focus ZX3. Drink lots of water and substitute healthy snacks for bad stuff. Reward yourself with something good that you enjoy (fruit, nuts, pretzels, popcorn) instead of snacks full of sugar and fats. If I can do this, anyone can...

[Vern Lyle]

My 80-year old bartender friend always says - I'd rather be a good liver than have one.

[M.D. Holloway]

Been eating oatmeal for breakfast and sometimes dinner, fruit for lunch, nuts for snacks. I am always freaking hungry!!! Been so for 3 weeks now.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by speeder

What's a Hay doctor?

Works on sick alfalfa

[azasadny]

Mike,
Concentrate on the things you can eat and enjoy! There's a lot to learn about NAFLD and NASH and when I write "my book", it will be about how I "beat" this disease/syndrome. I've researched and applied the things I've learned and got my liver enzymes down to the 20's and 30's, but I learn something new almost every day. The "bad news" is that this doen't require a "diet", it requires a "lifestyle". The good news is that, properly managed, you can avoid some very bad things (metabolic disorder, diabetes, gout, coronary artery disease, etc... You have a "manageable ailment", but it requires self-discipline and determination, both of which you have in abundance!

[Rot 911]

Man as soon as I read the title I started thinking about the Art Z. thread and here is Art and he has it covered. Lube, you need to find Art's thread and read it. An amazing comeback!

[azasadny]

Kurt,
Thanks! I think this is the thread you are referring to...

Bad news form the doctor...

Originally, my Dr thought I had PBC, but after the tests and biopsies, my diagnosis was changed to NASH, which is manageable and more common. PBC generally requires a liver transplant, eventually but NASH can be treated with lifestyle and diet, although there aren't any meds that are specific to this condition. I've been living with this for a few years and I'm happy with where I am now, but it took a major lifestyle change and the support of my wonderful wife and family. I'm optimistic about Mike because he's a determined and disciplined guy. The onset of gout knocked me back a little, but I'm aggressively managing/fighting that, too!

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by Vern Lyle

My 80-year old bartender friend always says - I'd rather be a good liver than have one.

He sure looks happy there !