Finding out that you have liver disease is a blow, no matter what caused it. For most of us, it sneaked up slowly. We were bopping along and probably just getting to the best years of our life. I know that, because any type of liver disease is silent for many years. It’s not until you start to have symptoms that the diagnosis comes in…. and most of the time, it is not good news. If this is you, take heart – there are steps you can take to start healing your fatty liver. You’ve got this.
Start off by looking at what you need to back off of. There are things to avoid and things to embrace. We’re going to make this easy for you. If you think I’m sounding like the liver expert… well, I’ve outlived a death sentence with liver disease. I’ve had everything in the book thrown at me. Still standing.
Healing Your Fatty Liver Step by Step
Lifestyle Change– This is the umbrella that all the following fall under. Change is never easy, but neither is dying too soon because of liver disease. If you wanna heal, ya gotta change.
Avoid Foods– Some foods are harder on your liver. Sugar and unhealthy fats are the worst. It’s ok. I know a Liver Loving Diet Way to help you heal. Your liver is responsible for most of your body functions. It’s the largest organ inside of you. Read here for simple info on how hard it works.
Avoid Alcohol– Drinking any amount of alcohol is like pouring gasoline on an open flame. Stand back! Somebody is going to get hurt! Just stop. With liver disease, you have to.
Watch Out for Herbs– All supplements and vitamins filter through your liver. Ask your doctor, or read here, to find out which ones are safe.
Slow Down or Stop Smoking– As a former smoker, I know it’s hard. There are a lot of tools to help you. Check out which ones are right for you. Keep trying, and even if you go back to smoking, chances are you will end up quitting for good.
Get More Rest– Getting a good nights sleep can be the most therapeutic thing you do. Your body needs rest to heal and restore. Spend more time in bed.
YOLO and Relax– You only live once. This is your shot at life, and you’ve got to chill out and quit worrying so much. Stress is a killer. It sends chemicals from your brain to your body that get you all jacked up and tense. Learn to meditate, or find another form of relaxation.
Eat More– Starvation is a killer with liver disease. There are some foods that heal your body and reduce inflammation. Many of the recipes I’ve cooked and eaten over the last 10 years have helped me stay alive.
Just Start
Think this sounds too easy. Believe me, I know that it’s work. I’ve been through Hepatitis C Virus, Liver Cancer, and had end stage liver cirrhosis for many years. It’s the best work you will do. I just finished a great weekend with my family. I’m so happy to be alive that I cry a little every day. They are tears of joy. I’m hoping that you are able to begin Healing Your Fatty Liver soon. Xo Karen
6 thoughts on “Healing Your Fatty Liver”
I’ve been following your blog for a few years since my diagnosis with cirrhosis due to NASH. I am now battling hepatic Encephalopathy. You are a wealth of info and so is your book! There are days that I feel like throwing in the towel and giving up, but you are such an encouragement and have given me renewed hope to hang in there. Thanks for sharing your life and journey with this most terrible disease.
Tonya,
So awesome to hear from you. What a battle to be going through HE. I still consider it to be the worst part of the whole liver disease mess. Your message gives me a lot of encouragement and hope. I do feel that you and all my other friends through this site are the ones who really understand what we feel like.
All my love and continued friendship in the journey,
xoxo Karen
Hi Karen,
Its really good to find you today. I have read some of your blog and see you have had many challenges you have met head on and I say bravo!! People really appreciate you!!
I was diagnosed with Hep C for about 13 years. I haven’t consumed alcohol in over 18 years and quit smoking at 43 and found running. When I was diagnosed the biopsy showed no scarring so they said at the time to wait for treatment. I started running 10k’s then half marathons then the marathon. I never had any problems at the time. I transitioned to trail running and got into ultra running longer distances. When I turned 50 I had a big year doing 2 50 milers and a 50k. An even bigger year at 51 doing 3 50k’s 2 50 milers and a 100 miler. In all my running up to that time I didn’t notice any ramifications to having Hep C. Then I took a break for a few years. When I returned to running in 2017 I started having GI issues among a few others during my longer sustained runs. Now I have always had to deal with a right side side cramp but it seemed to go away with training and breathing so I always wrote it off to that ligament attached to the diaphragm. It seems to last longer now and sometimes happens even when I am not running. I also don’t seem to get the nutrients when running races. Could my liver be an issue as to why I am bonking, I seem to fatigue so much more now? I have tried to find info on log distance endurance races and the liver with little success. Could it be an indication of my liver getting weaker or more damaged? I have newer health insurance and am always afraid of seeking treatment because I don’t think I can afford it. Are there any studies on endurance athletes and Hep C?
Lost for ideas
Wow… What a story! You’re a remarkable person. I greatly admire your determination to live a healthy lifestyle and put your body first. As a novice runner whose longest run is a 10K, I say bravo! (standing ovation at my computer)
So much to say about that alone… idk if you read or not, but I was cycling when my liver failed. I didn’t even know I had Hepatitis C. So your body seems to be doing really well so far, and I am going to assume that as an athlete, you’ve stayed waay ahead of the game as far as general health.
Fatigue – yes. The virus replicates in your liver and makes overall fatigue a problem.
Cramps – I agree about the diaphragm part, but also think a visit to the dr is in order.
Protein – is hard to process and you’ve probably read my blog about getting plant based with a protein shake. Muscle weakness can be a sign that your body is not healing as fast as you need it to.
Studies? I found an obscure on. I was befriended by Dr. Don Jensen who helped introduce the new drugs and first used the word “cure” with HCV. He is a runner and was aware of my varices. He encouraged me to keep my heart rate below 110 in order to prevent a bleed out. I also had to take beta blockers because I was end stage though. He encouraged me to drop out of weight training when I was really sick. I gave up cardio for about a 6 months. Again, only because with endurance, the heart and pulmonary system need to filter the blood through a healthy liver. If the liver is compromised with scar tissue, the blood backs up. (portal vein hypertension)
My husband is a runner and follows a paleo type/autoimmune diet. It can be hard for those of us with liver disease due to the fats and meat. I kind of found a good balance. Let me know if you’ve got the book.
REAL QUICK: In case this sounds too scary, just stop and take a deep breath. I had it all and survived. You’re in good general health – and you’re aware. But your liver is Crucial to life.
Get your metabolic panel and see where your liver enzymes are. Mine always ran really well, therefore no diagnosis…
If your liver panel is off, a peek with an ultrasound would be super helpful.
I hear you on the insurance. Let me know if you have any further questions about that.
2 friends: Alan Franciscus at hcvadvocate.org/ regarding treatment costs.
Sue Randolph is my facebook friend. She’s a marathon runner and had a transplant in 2016. She had some insurance woes and worked through them and is running again. She never had varices!
Follow me on fb and I’ve got a lot of private boards to click you to. xo
I hope these ideas get you started. It’s gonna be ok. xo Karen
Its really good to find you today. I have read some of your blog and see you have had many challenges you have met head on and I say bravo!! People really appreciate you!!
I’m glad you found the website too. I think everyone with liver disease faces many challenges. I like to point out that we can overcome just about anything if we find out early, and make changes. xoxo Karen
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