Research shows that a Japanese diet of 12 foods can improve fatty liver disease, and prevent the development of cirrhosis, liver failure.
Research by Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, published in May, indicates that foods popular in Japan such as rice, miso soup or soybeans can limit fat accumulation in the liver. This condition often occurs in overweight and obese people, as a result of a poor diet.
The team tracked the diets and progression of fatty liver disease in 136 people. They scored each individual’s diet based on compliance with the Japan 12-Component Dietary Index (mJDI12). The higher the score, the lower the cirrhosis metabolic rate.
The 12 foods in this diet include miso soup, pickles, soy products, green vegetables, fruits, seafood, mushrooms, seaweed, green tea, coffee, beef, and pork. In particular, three foods that have a significant effect on inhibiting liver cirrhosis are soybeans, seafood, and seaweed.
Experts also found that people who ate more soy products had greater muscle mass and a lower overall rate of fibrosis progression.
Previous research has shown that soy is a low-fat food, so it is extremely effective in reducing fat storage. Seaweed contains alginate that can prevent the body from absorbing toxins, fucoidan compounds enhance liver function, and protect the liver.
Soy products can limit cirrhosis and fatty liver. Photo: Freepik
Non-alcoholic fatty liver symptoms
According to Japan’s National Health Service, the early stages of the fatty liver do not cause any harm but can lead to serious liver damage and cirrhosis if not treated promptly.
Groups at high risk of fatty liver disease are people over 50 years old, people who are obese, or overweight, people with type 2 diabetes, and people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking habits.
Fatty liver is often asymptomatic in its early stages. The most effective way of detection is a blood test. People with fibrosis (severe stage of the fatty liver) may have a dull or aching pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, extreme fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
As cirrhosis develops, the patient has more severe symptoms such as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, itchy skin, swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet, or abdominal edema.
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