Posted on 08/20/2022 11:06:26 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
When fat accumulates in the liver, the immune system may assault the organ. Research identifies the molecule that trips these defenses, a discovery that helps to explain the dynamics underlying liver damage that can accompany type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Researchers mimicked these human metabolic diseases by genetically altering mice or feeding them a high-fat, high-sugar diet. They then examined changes within the arm of the rodent's immune system that mounts defenses tailored to specific threats. When misdirected back on the body, this immune response, which involves B and T cells, damages the organs and tissues it is meant to protect.
"For the longest time, people have been wondering how T and B cells learn to attack liver cells, which are under increased metabolic stress due to a high fat high sugar diet," said Dr. Laura Santambrogio. "We have identified one protein that is produced by stressed liver cells and then recognized by both B and T cells as a target."
In type 2 diabetes or obesity, the liver stores an excessive amount of fat, which can stress cells, leading to a condition known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, commonly called fatty liver disease. The stress leads to inflammation, a nonspecific immune response that, while meant to protect, can harm tissue over time. Researchers now also have evidence that B and T cells activity contributes, too.
While these experiments were done in mice, a similar dynamic appears to be at play in humans. The researchers found elevated levels of antibodies in blood samples from people with type 2 diabetes, as well as in autoimmune conditions affecting the liver and its bile ducts.
Unlike in autoimmune conditions, however, improving one's diet and losing weight can reverse this liver condition.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
It would appear losing weight changing one’s diet (and maybe losing weight because of that) can bring the immune reaction back to normal.
This is a unique moment in medical history. We have so much information available to us that it leads me to believe that something is it going to get you. Don’t let it be you.
On the surface, it sounds like feeding the mice a diet of 2 substances together would make it difficult to determine whether both substances in combination create the problem or just one of the substances, and, if so, which one.
At issue: The keto diet is known for fighting type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver by eliminating sugar but eating high-fat foods. This study seems to overlook or at least not clarify that.
Comment caveat: I am in an extreme caffeine deficiency at the moment which will be rectified over the next 30 minutes. Comments may not make sense.
Which diet are you on?
Appreciate your posting these reports.
I’ve heard milk thistle is supposed to be good for the liver. Haven’t had a chance to research it yet, but plan to in my spare time later this week.
Technically, it's possible to get rid of a fatty liver by greatly reducing calories, regardless of diet, according to prior studies. It is also possible to eliminate fatty liver through pantethine use (I posted that study this past year and I have a relative with ultrasound before and MRI after scans that showed the fatty liver was gone (with the doctor saying the same), despite being around 20-25% on the body mass side).
Personally, I agree that the practical way for people is to change their diet and increase exercise, because eating your normal diet at a crash diet-level of calories is both difficult, and still not feeding you as well as you needed on other fronts.
If only it would’ve been that simple for me.
I have not one, but two autoimmune diseases that did a one-two whammy on my liver. I was told I DID have a little more fat in it than normal, but my cirrhosis was caused by Sarcoidosis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, from long term Ulcerative Colitis.
I was blessed to receive a new liver last year.
My biggest change in my diet is no more alcohol- it messes with the meds, and has the added benefit of just being a good thing for my body in general. I still need to watch my diet, and this information is a reminder to me that I need to limit my intake of carbs and fatty foods.
I feel pretty good and I thank the Lord every day, say a prayer for my donor
(and his or her family) and give respect to the gift that has been given to me.
I still miss that glass of red wine with dinner, but what a small price to pay…
Thanks for posting this , a very interesting read, and a great reminder for myself.
After trying literally every kind of diet imaginable, I’ve sort of settled on my own diet.
I’m gluten free, as I found that my body’s reaction to gluten was a huge reason why I had trouble keeping weight off. I also avoid vegetable oils, because they’re poison.
Beyond that, I don’t overthink it too much. I eat in a calorie deficit and keep macros at protein first, fat second, carbs third.
I probably will go back on low carb again at some point, but I’ve spent most of my life on hugely restricted diets and dammit, I feel like having a baked potato with my steak or rice with my curry should be a doable thing. I don’t eat sweets and I have very little trouble with portion control.
I lift weights at least 4 days a week. Cardio every day.
Choline and inositol (I actually think more the inositol than choline, but they still say both) are also very effective for fatty liver. I take both that and the pantethine, which I credit you for posting here about so much and leading me to do my due diligence on it. Thank you! :-)
When I start eating carbs again on a regular basis, my cholesterol and blood pressure shoot up (and probably a thousand other things unnoticed).
I also work out a lot, lifting light and road & mountain biking for cardio (at least 4 days a week).
I am honored to have been of help.
Thank you!
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