Does the liver become fat and swollen? 5 main things that cause fatty liver
The misconception that fatty liver is something that only happens to alcoholics is wrong. Anyone can get this condition in today’s changing lifestyle. The main causes are:
Excessive sweets and starches: The sugar, flour, and excessive amounts of rice that we eat are stored as fat in the liver. Soft drinks and foods with artificial sweeteners increase this.
Lack of exercise: Decreased physical activity causes the food we eat to be stored as fat in the liver instead of being converted into energy. Continuous sedentary work is also a major cause of this.
Obesity and belly fat: Weight gain, especially fat around the stomach (visceral fat), increases the risk of fatty liver. This also leads to insulin resistance.
Diabetes and Cholesterol: Uncontrolled blood sugar levels and high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides can have a detrimental effect on liver health.
Alcohol: Alcohol directly damages liver cells and causes swelling and fat accumulation in the liver. This is called ‘alcoholic fatty liver’.