Dear Dr. Roach: I am 59 years old and am having problems with my lower abdomen. After colonoscopy and ultrasound, my doctor called to say I have a fatty liver. When asked what that means, I was told to lose weight. I weigh 170 pounds, and am 5 feet, 6 inches tall.
Research online suggests that alcohol is an issue, but I don鈥檛 drink. I may have a drink or a beer when I go out, but most times I am the designated driver, so I don鈥檛 drink. The only medication I take is Estradiol-Norethindrone 0.5-0.1; I take one daily. Diabetes does not run in my family, and I have not been tested for it.
Can you give me information on 鈥渇atty liver鈥� and treatment?
J.A.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is an increasingly common problem; in fact, it is the most common liver disorder in industrialized countries. Recent studies have suggested that 30 per cent to 46 per cent of people in the U.S. have NAFLD. Most people are diagnosed in their 40s or 50s.
Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity (as opposed to fat around the hips and thighs) is common in fatty liver disease. People with suspected NAFLD should have other possible causes evaluated, especially viral hepatitis (types B and C), hemochromatosis and autoimmune hepatitis.
Simple fatty liver is a benign condition; however, some people will develop the more serious condition non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis. Seventy per cent of people with NASH are obese, and up to 75 per cent have Type 2 diabetes. NASH without treatment can lead to fibrosis and even cirrhosis of the liver.
Your body mass index is 27, so you are considered overweight, not obese. Still, I would recommend gradually losing 10 pounds or so. I also would recommend that you continue to drink very moderately or not at all. Exercise also can help.
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Dear Dr. Roach: I am 81 years old and in good health. I am five feet, 11 inches tall and weigh 168 pounds, the same as in 1950. My blood pressure and cholesterol are good on treatment, and my pulse is 62. I drink an energy drink three or four times a week after the noon meal, when I don't take a nap and need to keep going. I am a farmer, and am active every day. Are these energy drinks harmful to me?
L.M.W.
The caffeine in one energy drink is about 160听mg per 16-ounce can, which is the equivalent of about a cup or two of regular coffee, depending on how strong you make it. That much caffeine doesn鈥檛 cause problems for most people, especially for those who are used to it.
However, it also has 52听grams of sugar 鈥� about 14 teaspoons. My advice is to stick with coffee. You will save money and reduce your sugar intake a lot.
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Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to [email protected]
