A silent killer that’s on the rise

Most of us know that heart disease and cancer are our number one and two killers.

Yet there’s another potentially deadly condition that may not be as well-known but it affects one out of three of us, and can sneak up on you without any symptoms.

And the alarming thing is, it’s on the rise—especially in kids!

This condition is known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease—not just “liver blubber”

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common underlying causes of chronic liver disease.

It includes a group of conditions that are characterized by varying levels of fat deposits in your liver cells.  NAFLD ranges from steatosis (simple fatty liver), to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) which is fatty changes plus inflammation, to advanced fibrosis (excessive accumulation of extracellular proteins) and cirrhosis.

Although simple fatty liver is considered benign, once chronic inflammation develops (NASH), then you can progress to fibrosis and eventually end-stage liver disease (needing a transplant).

NAFLD has no signs or symptoms, and it’s often discovered unexpectedly through elevated liver enzymes on a blood test.

It resembles alcoholic liver disease, the main difference being NAFLD is caused by factors other than excessive alcohol consumption.

Its numbers are growing…FAST

In the past two decades, the prevalence of NAFLD has more than doubled in adolescents, and climbed at a similar rate in adults.

Studies have shown that it occurs in about one out of ten children and at least one out of five adults in the United States, far surpassing the rate of any other chronic liver condition.

Here’s why we’re seeing these unsettling increases:

NAFLD It is associated with metabolic syndrome—many experts are even considering it as a new metabolic syndrome “component” along with obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and high cholesterol.

And Heaven knows the number of people with metabolic syndrome or any of its “components” is skyrocketing.  When you consider that two out of three of us are overweight or obese, one out of three has high blood pressure, and three out of four of us have some degree of insulin resistance, it’s no surprise that the new member of metabolic syndrome—NAFLD—is also on the rise.

It’s also easy to see why kids are affected—the main reason for that is their excessive consumption of high fructose corn syrup (primarily in sodas and junk food). 

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is not metabolized like regular sugar by your body.  Your liver has to metabolize only 20 percent of the glucose you take in, but 100 percent of the fructose—this puts a tremendous strain on the liver which can set the stage for an unhealthy environment. 

In addition, while glucose can serve as an energy source, HFCS is instead converted into fatty acids, excess cholesterol and triglycerides, which in turn get stored as fat.  Artificially processed fructose causes three times more fat storage than glucose.

So it’s no wonder our kids are getting fatty livers, considering many begin drinking soda as toddlers, and teenagers may drink five to 10 sodas a day.

Stop the downward spiral into NAFLD

The good news here is there is plenty you can do to slash your risk of NAFLD!

Get tested

If you’re concerned about NAFLD, ask your doctor to test your liver enzymes.

Move your body

Nothing makes you shed excess pounds, burn fat, eliminate dangerous toxins and promote better health in all of your organs better than regular exercise.

If you’re a couch potato or make every excuse under the sun to not exercise, kindly stop that now.  Instead get your doctor’s OK and get moving.

Your life just may depend on it.

Eat real foods and stay away from HFCS

What's best for your body (and can help you live disease-free well into your golden years) is having a diet of REAL foods and avoiding processed and refined foods. 

And the Great Taste No Pain health system can show you exactly what to do.

Great Taste No Pain teaches you the dangers of all processed foods and shows you how easy it is to prepare and enjoy delicious REAL foods.  Once you get away from trash like soda and junk food, you’ll likely soon lose your taste for them and end up preferring REAL food.

Consider probiotic supplementation

Evidence is growing that links probiotic use with a decrease in fat accumulation in the liver.

A new study published in September of 2014 in Food & Function revealed that the mechanism by which probiotics help reduce liver fat is twofold--they reduce the formation of new lipids (fats) and also increase the destruction of lipids that have already accumulated.

Especially helpful in this area was the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum--which is one of the 13 super strains in Super Shield multi-strain probiotic formula!

Super Shield contains a variety of 13 robust probiotic strains that will comfortably line your gut wall and can help make it less porous, help protect you from toxins, help keep your digestion in tip-top shape and fight a fatty liver too!

Consider Milk thistle supplementation

Milk thistle (silymarin) has been used since the 15th century for liver health.  It helps detoxify the liver, stimulates the flow of bile and helps tone the liver, as well as its “partners” the gallbladder and spleen.

Recommended dosage is 350-525 mg. of milk thistle per day with meals.

Do all you can to fight back against NAFLD and help to create a healthier body environment for you AND your children.