Interviews
Through nutrition and exercise they seek to reverse fatty liver in Chileans
- September 1, 2022
- Publicado por: ACCDIS
- Category: ACCDiS in Media
This pathology, that is increasing in the country and is even seen in teenagers, may cause liver cancer or cirrhosis. An intervention in the Maule Region seeks to control it.
C. GONZALEZ
About 30% of the Chilean population suffers from fatty liver, a silent and progressive condition associated with overweight, obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Over time, this pathology increases the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer, it has also displaced alcohol as the leading cause of liver transplantation..
Researchers at the Center for advanced chronic diseases (ACCDIS), the u. ACDDiS, work on a project you are looking for, by changing diet and exercise, help reverse this reality.
"Today it is a growing disease in Chile", explains Catterina Ferreccio, academic of the UC Department of Public Health and deputy director of the ACCDIS. "The liver starts accumulating fat; this generates chronic inflammation that leads to the death of liver cells and fibrosis.
What you eat, daily physical activity and sleep hours are key factors. "It has been shown in other countries that by improving these aspects we can prevent this disease or reduce the damage it produces".
With this in mind, Ferreccio leads a project that began a year ago and for which 300 people were selected, from 40 to 70 years old, with some degree of fatty liver. All are from Molina (Maule region) and are part of a larger study initiated there by the U. ACDDiS, in 2015, to identify factors that favor or prevent the development of chronic diseases.
Half (150 people) have undergone changes in their nutrition and physical activity, while the rest is the control group, for three years. "By intervening in these habits, through anti-inflammatory diets and aerobic exercises and for the development of muscle strength, liver can improve, needs the specialist, who has just been incorporated as a Member of number of the Chilean Academy of Medicine
In a couple of months a first evaluation will be carried out. "So far we have seen that 50% of patients do not continue with the exercises, but those who have are excited and feel good overall, with more energy and encouragement”
Asymptomatic
As it is a pathology that does not usually give symptoms, "Most of the time the diagnosis arises from a laboratory or imaging finding when the person consults for another discomfort, Francisco Barrera needs, hepatologist from the UC Transplant Unit and one of the researchers of the project.
Because of this, many people do not know that they have fatty liver and it progresses to cause, in at least 20% of cases, cirrhosis or liver cancer, In addition, has begun to be seen at younger and younger ages, since adolescence.
Although diet and sedentary lifestyle influence, so does genetics. "Not just family heritage; Chilean genetics is relevant and, due to his Amerindian background, make us more vulnerable to developing fatty liver.", says Barrera,
Hence the importance of changing lifestyles. Although currently these patients are suggested to lose weight, "it is not done in a standardized or regulated way", warns Barrera, who is also a member of the board of directors of the Chilean Association of Hepatology, entity that, with the support of Minsal, has started a campaign to raise awareness about this disease.
In the project in Molina it is encouraged to consume anti-inflammatory foods. “Vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli lower inflammation at the cellular level, The same goes for red paprika, some fruits such as black grapes and blueberries, and replace meats with legumes", says Ferrecio.
To the above is added aerobic training combined with exercises to build muscle mass and strength. "It is recommended to lose at least 10% of body weight; with that, an important effect is already achieved in reversing the damage at the level of the liver", adds Barrera.
Whether the beneficial effect of these interventions is proven, researchers hope that this strategy will be disseminated through clinics and primary care centers. “That we have a successful group can serve as a model for others.", trusts Ferreccio.
Heart at risk
Fatty liver also puts heart health at risk, An analysis of 11 studies, published yesterday in the British Medica Journal, shows that the accumulation of fat at the hepatic level influences the development of heart failure in the following ten years of life, Although it is unclear how fatty liver raises this risk, authors say it worsens insulin resistance, promotes the formation of plaques and inflammatory chemicals.