Introduction:
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a rising concern that also has been affecting the younger populations. For understanding it is nothing but fat accumulation in the liver, but has detrimental consequences when left uncared for. It is a metabolic condition often finding its link to obesity and unhealthy lifestyle. There is a strong bidirectional link between NAFLD and mood disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, etcmediated through metabolic, inflammatory, neuroendocrine, and lifestyle pathways. Recent studies indicate a rising incidence in children and adolescents, largely driven by childhood obesity and metabolic disturbances.
The Root Cause:
· The stress- liver link: Chronic psychological stress induces consistent increase in cortisol and gluconeogenesis which causes insulin resistance, fat accumulation in the liver along with elevated liver enzymes.
· Emotional eating behaviour – liver: Anxiety and depression and other eating disorders can cause emotional eating which may dysregulate the metabolic axis which leads to fatty liver.
· Major environmental contributors include: Sedentary behaviour, high-calorie diet, ultra-processed foods sleep deprivation, circadian rhythm disruption. These factors collectively create ametabolic and inflammatory milieu favouring hepatic fat deposition.
· Genetic analyses suggest a bidirectional relationship, where depression increases NAFLD risk and NAFLD increases anxiety risk.
· Gut-brain-liver axis: Altered gut microbiota in stress and depression may influence liver disease via: endotoxin leakage, immune activation, altered bile acid metabolism.
· Traditional Chinese Medicine understanding: liver-qi stagnation, spleen dysfunction, damp-phlegm accumulation, blood stasis. Liver qi stagnation leads to spleen deficiency which causespoor digestion and accumulation of dampness.
The Symptoms to look for:
– feeling very tired
– feeling generally unwell
– liver pain or discomfort, which is felt in your abdomen under the right side of your ribs
The risky population:
– Overweight, particularly with excess abdominal fat
– follow an unhealthy diet
– have low levels of physical activity
– have underlying conditions such as type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol
– risk also increases in individuals over the age of 50 years.
What you can do?
Lifestyle should be comprehensively addressed.
– Healthy food choices – less ultra-processed unnatural foods, emphasize Mediterranean or anti-inflammatory diets.
– Exercise one hour/ day-At least 150–300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise combined with resistance training, which enhances fat mobilization and improves insulin sensitivity
– Drinking adequate water – to enhances overall metabolism
– Maintain proper sleep hygiene – regular sound sleep will improve circadian rhythm regulation, reduce cortisol dysregulation, and give better metabolic outcomes.
– Manage weight- for maintaining insulin sensitivity and metabolic parameters
Takeaway:
Your health is a pawn in your own game. So, what you feed will come back amplified.
Written by Dr Shobhitha Tantry B