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Fatty liver disease is an increasingly common health concern, often linked to being overweight. However, it’s important to note that even individuals with a healthy weight can develop this condition. Fatty liver is often diagnosed during a routine checkup or suspected due to excess abdominal fat.
The liver, located on the right side of the body, is the largest organ after the skin and plays a vital role in detoxification. Moreover, the liver is crucial for thyroid hormone conversion. The thyroid produces T4, which is then converted to T3, the active form of the hormone, primarily in the liver. Addressing fatty liver can positively impact thyroid function.
Intermittent fasting can potentially reverse fatty liver. This is possible because of the way cells interact with insulin. Cells have insulin receptors, which act as antennas for insulin signals. When insulin binds to these receptors, it signals the cell to open and allow glucose to enter.
Excess glucose and insulin, often due to overeating and obesity, result in fat accumulation. The combination of glucose and insulin is a surefire way to create fat. When the liver becomes fatty, a layer of fat develops, disrupting its function and hindering detoxification processes. This can lead to digestive issues and difficulty losing weight.
High insulin levels, often triggered by refined carbohydrates, can cause cells to become resistant to insulin. Cells downregulate their insulin receptors, becoming less responsive to the hormone. This insulin resistance makes it challenging to lose weight, as the body struggles to process glucose effectively. In cases of fatty liver, insulin resistance is almost always present.
Intermittent fasting can help reverse this process. It involves cycling between periods of eating and voluntary fasting on a regular schedule. The traditional approach of eating three meals a day with only 8 hours of sleep often results in prolonged periods of high glucose levels.
However, intermittent fasting turns this around by allocating 16 hours to not eating and an eight-hour window for eating. This less extreme but effective approach helps break insulin resistance caused by fatty liver.
To effectively implement intermittent fasting, the body needs to be prepared with adequate hydration and sufficient levels of magnesium and potassium. These nutrients are vital for creating glycogen, the stored form of glucose in the liver. Glycogen serves as a reserve energy source during fasting periods, preventing hunger.
During the fasting period, the body is forced to use its stored glycogen. When this happens and the body is well hydrated and has magnesium and potassium for glycogen production, the body then begins to break down fats. This process, known as ketosis, includes breaking down the fat stored in the liver, gradually reducing the fatty liver.
Many people have successfully reversed fatty liver by incorporating intermittent fasting into their lifestyles. Regular checkups sometimes reveal to people that their liver has healed. By correctly implementing intermittent fasting and preparing the body, fatty liver can be reversed. Insulin sensitivity can also be restored as cells are no longer overwhelmed by excessive insulin signals.
