Studies have shown that women with irregular or longer than normal menstrual cycles are at increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease refers to a disease where fat accumulates in the liver, similar to people who do not drink or only drink a small amount of alcohol.
Women with irregular menstrual cycles have a higher risk of non-alcoholic fatty liverㅣSource: Clip Art Korea
The research team at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital revealed that if the menstrual cycle is irregular or longer than 40 days, the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver is about 35% higher than women with normal menstrual cycles. The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
The research team conducted a study on 72,000 adult women under the age of 40. Among them, about 50,000 people without fatty liver were followed for about 4 years, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease occurred in about 9% of women. They found that the incidence increases by 22% in menstrual cycle irregularity.
The research team hypothesized that there may be a hormonal influence as the menstrual cycle independently affects non-alcoholic fatty liver. Pharmacist Kim Ji-young presented five ways to manage liver health, saying, “Even a young woman in her 20s and 30s who doesn’t enjoy drinking should pay attention to liver health if her menstrual cycle is long or irregular.”
1. Eat ‘Well’
Pharmacist Kim Ji-young said it is important to eat well to maintain liver health. He advises filling your plate with healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. At this stage, carbohydrates should be reduced to 55-80% of the recommended daily energy requirement. Simple sugar causes insulin resistance, which not only affects menstrual irregularities but also causes fat to accumulate in the liver.
2. Move ‘a lot’
To prevent the accumulation of fat in the liver, you have to move a lot. In particular, it is good to do large muscle exercises such as squats and planks shortly before and after meals. When blood sugar levels are high, our body produces fat easily and accumulates it all over the body. Large muscle exercise is most effective in lowering blood sugar quickly.
3. Refrain from ‘drinking parties’
It is a well known fact that alcohol damages the health of the liver. Alcohol itself is also a problem, but the snacks eaten at drinking parties also put a lot of stress on the liver. Adding a greasy snack that is high in carbohydrates increases the chance that excess calories will be stored as fat in the liver.
4. Managing ‘Stress’
Chronic stress can cause hormonal imbalances, which can increase the risk of fatty liver accumulation. Therefore, pharmacist Kim Ji-young said, “You have to find your own way to rest and recover, such as meditation, yoga, or gentle walks.”
5. Eat ‘soy soy sauce’
Pharmacist Kim recommended UDCA as an effective hepatic agent for non-alcoholic fatty liver. Studies have shown that UDCA can help treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by preventing cholesterol reabsorption and cholesterol entry into the liver. In addition, UDCA is a non-toxic bile acid, which protects the liver by controlling the ratio of toxic bile acid that is toxic to the liver. However, pharmacist Kim Ji-young said it is important not to rely on UDCA intake alone and combine it with a healthy lifestyle.
Help = Chemist Kim Ji-young
