How Red Meat Consumption Could Up the Risk of NAFLD

There is bad news on the table for all the diehard meat lovers out there. Bacon is good, but it may just be your downfall if you eat too much of it. Studies have come out to heavily suggest that eating too much red meat or processed meats can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

What is Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver disease, more formally known as, hepatic steatosis, is a term that refers to the buildup of fat inside the liver. While it is normal to have small amounts of fat in your liver, too much can lead to some concerning health issues:

• Nausea
• Emesis
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Jaundice

If left untreated, these health issues can devolve into more dire issues, such as, permanent scarring of the liver, liver cancer, and actual liver failure. Liver failure is something you absolutely want to avoid, because the liver is crucial to your body running properly. It plays a crucial role in the metabolic process; it breaks down fats and creates energy. It also produces proteins that are responsible for blood clotting. It even breaks down old and damaged blood cell, thereby keeping your bloodstream healthy. And of course, the liver filters and detoxes the blood of harmful toxins and impurities.

How Red Meat Increases the Fat in Your Liver?

The research suggests that red meat and processed meats may result in insulin resistance which will increase the amount of fat in your liver. There are several reasons for this:

1. Red meat has saturated fats which can cause inflammation.
2. Processed meats have a higher concentration of sodium which has been linked to NAFLD.
3. Red and processed meats have a higher concentrations of nitrites and nitrates which can lead to inflammation.

Synopsis: Any amount of inflammation in the liver and your cells can result in higher amounts of insulin resistance. Avoid all of these pitfalls for your liver by prioritizing lean proteins in your diet.