NASH is a liver disease caused by metabolic fat accumulation independent of alcohol consumption. To avoid cirrhosis and/or liver cancer, it is essential to quickly change your lifestyle.
- To date, there are no drugs to treat NASH, “but some molecules are under development and the results of the studies are awaited.”
- The “treatment” involves a healthy lifestyle, changing your eating habits and practicing sports, in order to lose weight.
- “In certain cases of severe or morbid obesity, bariatric surgery may be considered in order to lose weight and improve NASH.”
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the advanced and severe form of fatty liver disease. At this stage, inflammatory mechanisms are set up in the liver: the cells can swell and become necrotic. If nothing is done, the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer increases sharply. “There are currently no drugs to treat NASH.specifies hepato-gastroenterologist Dr Guillouche. But certain molecules are under development and the results of the studies are awaited.”
NASH: essential multidisciplinary care
“What is certain is that the management of NASH must be multidisciplinary, that is to say it concerns your treating physician who remains at the heart of your care, the gastroenterologist, an endocrinologist in case of associated diabetes and a cardiologist to detect cardiovascular abnormalities.” Meeting with a nutritionist may also be necessary in order to implement new eating habits.
“To improve NASH, it is essential to lose weight”
“To improve NASH, it is essential to lose weight”, insists the specialist. Losing several kilos actually helps reduce the steatosis present in the liver and can even make it disappear. “We can therefore completely recover from it!”
How ? “You need to implement a dietary rebalancing, generally with a complete change in your habits. Physical and sporting activity is also essential.”
In terms of diet, you should give pride of place to vegetables and legumes, favor whole grains, fish and lean meats, and avoid added sugars, alcohol, red meat, processed drinks (sodas, fruit juices, etc) and fatty and fried foods. In terms of sport, you must practice regular activity, whether it is divided into small daily sessions or during a more intense and longer session weekly. To get out of a sedentary lifestyle, you should also try to spend less time sitting and looking at screens.
“In certain cases of severe or morbid obesity, bariatric surgery may be considered in order to lose weight and improve NASH.”
