Fatty Liver Disease: The Silent Epidemic That’s Affecting Younger Individuals
“Fatty liver disease is no longer exclusive to middle-aged or overweight individuals. Nowadays, many young people in their early 20s are being diagnosed with this condition,” warns TS.BS Trinh Thi Ngoc, Former Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at Bach Mai Hospital, during a discussion on VTV.
According to statistics from the Vietnam Hepato-Biliary Association, currently, up to 30% of the Vietnamese population suffers from fatty liver disease to varying degrees. The primary culprit is attributed to a diet that is energy-rich, imbalanced, and laden with trans fats.
Deep-fried Foods: A Liver’s Worst Nightmare
Deep-fried chicken, french fries, doughnuts, and fried sausages are familiar dishes, especially among the youth. However, these are the “number one enemy” of the liver.
As TS.BS Nguyen Cong Long from Hanoi University Hospital shares: “Deep-fried foods, when cooked at high temperatures, produce trans fats – the most harmful type of fat for the liver. Whether you’re skinny or obese, if you consume a lot of fried foods, the risk of fatty liver disease remains very high.”
Research also indicates that trans fats not only cause fat accumulation in the liver but also disrupt lipid metabolism, increasing bad cholesterol. If left unchecked, this can lead to liver inflammation and fibrosis.
Organ Meats: A Cholesterol-rich “Delicacy”
Chicken gizzards, pork intestines, blood pudding, heart, and liver are commonly enjoyed during drinking sessions and festive occasions. However, these dishes are incredibly high in cholesterol and purines, which the liver has to work arduously to process.
Dr. Do Thien Hai from the National Hospital of Pediatrics once remarked in Sức Khoẻ & Đời Sống: “Regular consumption of organ meats forces the liver to work harder to metabolize animal fats and proteins. Over time, the liver can become overwhelmed and start accumulating fat.”
It’s worth noting that many individuals mistakenly believe that “organ meats are good for the liver,” when in fact, the liver is the organ most susceptible to damage if one indulges in these dishes excessively.
Sugary Drinks and Beverages: A Sweet Treat for the Taste Buds but a Bitter Enemy for the Liver
A seemingly harmless can of soda contains up to 7-10 teaspoons of sugar – far exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations. When fructose from sugary drinks enters the body, it is directly metabolized by the liver, and if consumed in excess, it will accumulate as fat.
According to Sức Khoẻ Đời Sống, the official mouthpiece of Vietnam’s Ministry of Health, daily consumption of sugary drinks increases the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by 60%, especially in sedentary young individuals.
Excess sugar not only contributes to fatty liver but is also implicated in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity – chronic conditions that are rapidly rising in Vietnam.
How to Protect Your Liver Through Dietary Choices
Modifying daily eating habits can effectively prevent fatty liver disease without resorting to medication. Here are some practical suggestions:
- Prioritize boiled, steamed, and grilled foods with minimal oil.
- Reduce consumption of organ meats and red meats.
- Stay hydrated, eat green vegetables, and consume fresh fruits.
- Cut down on sugar, replace sugary drinks with water or detox water.
- Maintain a habit of exercising for at least 30 minutes daily.
As TS.BS Trinh Thi Ngoc advises: “The liver can recover if patients make timely adjustments to their lifestyle and diet. However, if left untreated, fatty liver disease can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer.”
Conclusion
Fatty liver disease is a “silent killer” knocking on the doors of many Vietnamese families without warning. Instead of waiting for symptoms to appear, the simplest and most effective way to protect your liver is to start with your daily diet.
Remember: What you eat today will reflect on your liver’s health tomorrow. Don’t let your dietary preferences become an invisible “poison” to your well-being and that of your loved ones.
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