Fatty Liver & Cholesterol - Stop Liver from Producing High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is basically a fatty substance that is used by the body to carry out its optimal functioning. It is produced by the liver and distributed to other body parts where it is required. Also, the liver is responsible for making lipoproteins that assist the cholesterol, and other lipids travel in the bloodstream.

1. Cholesterol levels are produced as well as regulated by the liver with the help of two mechanisms. 
2. For example, when the levels are low, the liver produces cholesterol and delivers it to other body parts. And when the levels are higher than the acceptable limit, the liver attempts to eliminate it by converting excess cholesterol into bile salts. The body then excretes the bile salts in excreta and bile.    
3. High cholesterol levels in the blood can be a potential indicator of abnormal liver functioning, indicating the presence of fatty liver. This is because bile production is hampered in fatty liver, and cholesterol levels are raised at the same time.
4. If this condition prevails for longer, there are higher chances of an individual suffering from end-stage liver problems, such as Liver Cirrhosis. 

Excess cholesterol in the bloodstream signals that the body is soon or is already in the process of undergoing devastation. High cholesterol level, though is not a disease but is found to exaggerate the symptoms of the underlying disease potentially. Below are some diseases that can get worse if the cholesterol levels are on the higher side.

1. Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which the blood cholesterol profile is raised. During Chronic Cholestatic Liver Disease, hyperlipidemia comes into the picture. This liver disease is marked by high HDL and comparatively low LDL levels.
2. Coronary Heart Disease is another health complication caused by high cholesterol levels in the blood. Here, the Low-Density Lipoproteins, or LDL, exceed HDL levels. The LDL increasingly settles in the walls of arteries, leading to the formation of plaques (hardening of arteries due to fat accumulation). 
3. This eventually results in the condition known as arteriosclerosis. Due to this, the arteries become narrow, and the flow of blood through them decreases, concluding in partial or total blockages in the arteries.  
4. Cholesterol ingested in the form of food undoubtedly goes to the liver. When dietary cholesterol levels are higher than the permissible limit, the liver loses its ability to process fat and convert it into bile acids. 
5. As a result, the excess fat or cholesterol begins to deposit in the liver, resulting in the condition known as fatty liver disease. When not detected or diagnosed on time, the condition could turn fatal, developing into a severe disease called nonalcoholic fatty steatohepatitis. 
6. Also, fatty liver cholesterol levels can make the liver face terrible episodes such as cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), hepatic cancer, or even liver failure at the end stage.

Changes in the structure and functions mark fatty liver cholesterol levels. High levels of fat accumulation in the liver cause damage over time, disturbing the entire functioning of the body. Also, liver damage does not happen overnight; instead, it takes several years for the damage to become prevalent. 

Given below is a series of fatty liver progression: 

1. The first stage, called simple steatosis, is normal, where the damage level is the least. Here, the fat accumulated in the liver cells is harmless and thus does not exhibit any sign of abnormality. Also, if not bothered, it can go unnoticed, provided an individual gets tested for it due to other noticeable complications in the body. 
2. The second stage is known as steatohepatitis. This can be considered a more severe one as it is the marked grade of fatty liver progression. The liver undergoes structural change here, showing inflammation due to more fat accumulation. 
3. In the third stage, liver fibrosis is usually seen. The presence of inflammation accompanied by fibrosis contributes to the scarring or damaging of tissues on the surface of the liver. Along with the tissues, blood vessels in proximity suffer similar damage. However, the liver still functions at this stage and does not exhibit abnormality. 
4. The last or most severe stage occurs after years of liver suffering from inflammation and fibrosis. Cirrhosis is the end stage of fatty liver, where the liver has scars with a lumpy appearance. 

The damage carried to this stage is irreversible, and the liver loses its ability to function. Also, cirrhosis can even give rise to even more severe conditions such as liver failure or carcinoma. 

It is found that if the fatty liver condition is not detected on time, there are chances that the evolving damage can be life-threatening too. Moreover, taking preventive actions in the first stage is important to save the liver from facing the worst. 

Fatty liver and cholesterol are linked to one another. Thus, it becomes essential to bring cholesterol to the body's optimal range for ideal liver functioning. 

Also, it takes years for the liver to undergo extreme destruction, i.e. Cirrhosis. Hence, with a few simple steps or fundamental lifestyle changes, an individual can reach the ideal cholesterol levels and eventually combat fatty liver. 

Read below to learn how to stop the liver from producing cholesterol. 

Weight Loss

1. Making attempts at weight loss can help lower the cholesterol levels in the body. It's better to have more focus on reducing HDL cholesterol as it's the one that tends to accumulate in the liver cells. 
2. Physical activities such as cardiovascular exercises, namely cycling, jogging, swimming, etc., can help reduce overall body fat. 

Follow a good diet

1. Healthy food or a balanced diet can help reduce cholesterol levels. 
2. Eating more fibre and good carbohydrates, i.e. replacing regular bread with multigrain slices or switching to natural fruits rather than consuming processed sugary drinks. 
3. Also, it is crucial to limit the consumption of cholesterol, i.e. avoiding cheese, red meat, or any other product which consists of high quantities of saturated fatty acids. 

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle 

1. Ending to all the bad habits can also stop the liver from producing cholesterol. 
2. Smoking and drinking are the two enemies that contribute to disturbing most functions of the body and can equally affect the body's lipid mechanism too. Hence, limiting alcohol intake and distancing oneself from smoking can sufficiently manage cholesterol levels. 

Most of the time, fatty liver disease does not exhibit more symptoms until the severity level is high; however, a routine check-up is always an ideal backup plan to avoid such undesired health crises. When cholesterol levels are high, at this stage, it becomes mandatory to seek professional help before it gets too late to treat. Thus, finding reliable and efficient medical help at the right time can reverse the adverse effects. 

Joining hands with HexaHealth can prove to be valuable in diagnosing or treating the abnormalities associated with the liver. Visit HexaHealth’s official website and explore the health assistance offered by the team of experts.