Suddenly, when we hear the word cholesterol, we will start thinking about its consequences, like heart disease, clogged arteries, and even stroke. Have you ever imagined that rising cholesterol levels could take a toll on another vital organ, that is the liver?

Liver, your body’s natural detox center, may be at risk even without you realizing it. One of the lesser-known and increasingly common conditions associated with high cholesterol is fatty liver disease, and that connection is stronger than you can imagine.

Further, this blog will break down the intricate relationship between high cholesterol and fatty liver, the signs to watch for, and what all the possible steps you can take to control your liver health.

What is high cholesterol?

In high cholesterol, your blood contains more lipids (Fats). It is otherwise called hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia. Simply, an individual’s body needs a perfect amount of lipids for proper functioning. Also, when having excess amounts of lipids, your body can’t use them all at once. Further, those excess lipids will start to develop in your arteries. They will be combined with other substances in your body and will form plaque.

Typically, you will experience any pain with this plaque for years, over time, it could form bigger in your arteries. This is why medical professionals highlight that untreated cholesterol is highly dangerous. You can find that you have cholesterol only through the blood test.

A blood test is known as a lipid panel, which shows you how much lipid is in your blood. Also, the criteria for high cholesterol differ based on an individual’s age, sex, and history of heart disease.

Good cholesterol vs. bad cholesterol:

There may be several types of cholesterol, but most of the time, we only hear about ‘good cholesterol’ and ‘bad cholesterol.’

Good cholesterol is known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Typically, HDLs will carry cholesterol to your liver. It will make use of most of it, and the rest cholesterol gets rid of. Also, an individual should have sufficient HDLs to carry cholesterol to your liver. In case your HDL level is low, too much cholesterol will keep on circulating in your blood.

Bad cholesterol is otherwise called LDL (low-density lipoprotein). This makes plaque form in your arteries. When there are too many LDL, there is a high chance of affecting your heart health.

What are the effects of high cholesterol?

High cholesterol will result in plaque buildup in the arteries, which surges the risks of heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. It will also result in high blood pressure and reduce the blood flow to the vital organs of the body. When overlooked, it will silently damage your cardiovascular system, all this will happen without noticeable signs until complications arise.

When should I check my cholesterol?

High cholesterol can strike anyone at any age, as it can start in childhood or adolescence. So you should consider starting the screening during childhood.

Children and teens: Consider checking your cholesterol level at least once in five years, starting at age nine. Also, kids who have cholesterol or have a history of heart-related issues should plan to begin it even sooner.
Males: Until the age of 45, you should check your cholesterol once in five years, and from the age of 45 to 65, get checked every one to two years. After 65, check your cholesterol every year.
Females: Until the age of 55, consider checking once in five years; also, from 55 to 65, check every one or two years. After the age of 65, consider checking every year.

Also, you need to understand that these are the general guidelines, only your healthcare provider can tell what best suits you.

What are the causes of high cholesterol?

Both lifestyle factors and genetics play a pivotal role in causing high cholesterol. Those lifestyle factors include:

Smoking: When smoking, your good cholesterol (HDL) will be lowered, and bad cholesterol (LDL) will be reduced.

Stress: As we all know, stress has the potential to trigger your hormones, and this will cause your body to produce cholesterol.

Drinking alcohol: Binge consumption of alcohol can increase your total cholesterol.

Lack of physical activity: When engaging in physical activities such as aerobic exercise, your cholesterol levels will increase. In case you are living a sedentary lifestyle, your body won’t produce sufficient ‘good cholesterol.’

Diet: Few foods have the potential to raise or lower your cholesterol. At times, healthcare providers will suggest dietary changes or will ask them to visit a nutritionist to modify their diet.

How does high cholesterol affect your liver?

An individual’s liver plays a significant role in metabolizing fats, including cholesterol and triglycerides. In case your blood cholesterol levels are constantly high, notably LDL and triglycerides, your liver must work too hard to manage all that extra fat. Further, let’s see what will happen:

Fat accumulation: Typically, when an excess amount of cholesterol is circulating in the blood, some of it will get deposited in the liver cells.

Swelling: When fat is continuously accumulating, it triggers inflammation in the liver, damaging its cells, and remains significant reasons for fatty liver.

Progression to NAFLD or NASH: After some time, this can form into Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease or even Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), which are the serious forms of fatty liver involving liver swelling and damage.

How does high cholesterol silently cause fatty liver?

One of the saddest things about fatty liver is that, in the initial stages, it won’t show any symptoms, so healthcare providers often call this ‘a silent disease.’ You will feel alright even when your liver is struggling. During this time, signs such as fatigue, abdominal pain, or weight gain appear, and the liver may already be compromised.

So if you are diagnosed with high cholesterol and also experiencing other risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure, you should realize that you should pay attention to your liver health.

Shall I try lowering my cholesterol level to reverse fatty liver?

Of course, lowering your cholesterol levels can greatly help you in reversing fatty liver, notably non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The liver plays a most significant role in fat metabolism, and when cholesterol, notably LDL and triglycerides, increases, it will result in excess fat buildup in liver cells. When left untreated, it can trigger inflammation, liver cell damage, and even scarring.

By taking proactive steps to lower your cholesterol, like consuming a balanced diet rich in fiber and healthy fats, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding packed or sugary foods, you not only protect your heart but also ease the fat load in your liver.

At times, a hyperlipidemia specialist in Coimbatore will suggest medications, and they will also recommend some lifestyle changes as a first line of defense. So remember that managing your cholesterol is not just about heart health; it’s a vital step towards healing and possibly reversing fatty liver, notably when addressed early and consistently.

Can someone reverse fatty liver?

When diagnosing the fatty liver in its early stage, by making all the lifestyle changes, one can reverse the fatty liver. The right lifestyle changes include losing weight, regular exercise, and following a nutritious diet. Limiting alcohol consumption, managing cholesterol, blood sugar, and avoiding unnecessary supplements also play a crucial role. Also, you need to understand that advanced stages, such as cirrhosis, are irreversible; only early fatty liver is highly manageable and also reversible with consistent effort and medical guidance.

Who is at high risk of fatty liver due to cholesterol?

You may easily develop fatty liver due to cholesterol if you:

High levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides.
Being overweight or obese.
Having type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance.
Living a sedentary lifestyle.
Following high cholesterol diets like foods high in sugars, processed foods, and saturated fats.
Have metabolic syndrome.

What are the signs that indicate my liver is in trouble?

As mentioned above, until reaching the advanced stage, fatty liver will never exhibit any symptoms, but here we have listed a few signs that could indicate fatty liver is developing:

Persistent weakness or fatigue
Pain or fullness in the upper right abdomen
Blood tests will show high levels of liver enzymes
Insulin resistance or worsening blood sugar levels

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to consult a doctor.

How to diagnose fatty liver?

The usual methods healthcare providers employ to diagnose fatty liver include:

Blood tests: Increased liver enzymes such as ALT and AST

Imaging tests: Ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI scans will reveal more fat in the liver.

Fibroscan: This is a special type of test that measures liver stiffness and fat content.

Liver biopsy: In rare cases, a biopsy is required to check the extent of liver damage.

How can I prevent myself from having a fatty liver?

Fortunately, when diagnosed earlier, one can reverse fatty liver. Simply by concentrating on your cholesterol levels, you can greatly avoid liver-related health conditions. Further, let’s see the ways to take care of your liver health:

Change your diet:
Avoid consuming saturated and trans fats
Stay away from processed and fried foods
Consume more fiber-rich vegetables, whole grains, and fruits
Include healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, and omega-3-rich foods
Engage in physical activity:

Start with moderate activities like brisk walking for 5 days a week.

Maintain a healthy weight:

When you are suffering from fatty liver, even reducing 5 to 10% of body weight can greatly reduce fat in the liver.

Manage your cholesterol:

Once affected by fatty liver, work closely with your healthcare provider to manage bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride levels. Also, take medications if you feel like lifestyle changes are not helping you.

Reduce alcohol consumption:

After being diagnosed with fatty liver, even a small amount of alcohol can worsen your condition.

Avoid unnecessary medications or toxins:

Few supplements will damage your liver health, so always, before starting to consume any supplements, reach out to the best liver hospital in Coimbatore and discuss with your healthcare provider to avoid the side effects.

Regular health checkups:

Keep track of your liver enzyme levels and cholesterol through regular health checkups.

What are the foods that help lower your cholesterol?

A few foods will do magic in lowering your cholesterol level. Further, let’s see the fatty liver diet plan to enhance your health.

Simply, soluble fiber-rich foods such as oats, barley, beans, lentils, apples, and citrus fruits assist in blocking cholesterol absorption in the bloodstream. Also, you can try fatty fish for getting omega-3 fatty acids, which assist in lowering triglycerides and enhancing heart health.

Further, try nuts such as almonds and walnuts, which will give you healthy fats that will assist in reducing bad cholesterol. Avocados, olive oil, and flaxseeds are also good sources of monounsaturated fats that support cholesterol balance. Additionally, green leafy vegetables, soy products, and green tea provide antioxidant benefits that enhance overall heart and liver health.

Just making all these heart-friendly foods a regular part of your diet can go a long way in enhancing cholesterol levels naturally.

Final thoughts:

In conclusion, we can say that high cholesterol is something more than a heart health issue. It can also greatly affect your liver health, as mentioned above, it may take some time to diagnose fatty liver, but it’s our duty to connect the dots on time. If you are suffering from elevated cholesterol levels, don’t wait until your symptoms worsen. Start making small, sustainable lifestyle changes today to safeguard your liver health tomorrow.