Fatty liver patients should avoid ghee and coconut oil, says expert

New Delhi: In response to the rising cases of fatty liver disease in India, a renowned hepatologist advised on Wednesday to limit the intake of saturated fats such as ghee and coconut oil.

Fatty liver disease is closely associated with obesity and diabetes. Excessive carbohydrate consumption can elevate insulin levels, leading to chronic high insulin and insulin resistance. This metabolic disruption converts surplus glucose into fatty acids, which are then stored in the liver.

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The disease can be categorised into two primary types: alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/MASLD). Both types can cause liver inflammation and damage, potentially progressing to fibrosis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.

"In the Indian context, if you have metabolic-disorder-associated fatty liver disease (previously NAFLD), remember to limit saturated fat sources in your diet," said Dr Abby Phillips, popularly known as LiverDoc, on the social media platform X.com.

"This means limiting foods containing Ghee, clarified butter (north India), Coconut oil (south India), and Palm oil (processed/ ultra-processed foods)," he explained, adding that "saturated fats increase liver triglycerides and hence liver fat and inflammation."

Although ghee is traditionally considered healthy, the doctor remarked that it "is not a superfood. It is a super danger. It is almost all fat, and more than 60 per cent is saturated (unhealthy) fat."

He emphasised the need to replace these fats with "healthier (vegetable) seed oils that have low saturated fat and trans-fat content."

Dr. Abby also recommended using a variety of seed oils in daily cooking. Instead of frying food items, he suggested "bake, boil, broil, grill, or steaming foods."

He also called out to "increase portions of plant-based protein in daily meals and to add daily fresh cut fruit portions (instead of fruit juicing)."

"This is far more important than limiting meat (including lean meat more than red meat), fish, and eggs -- all of which can be consumed in their recommended daily/weekly intake," the doctor concluded. IANS