For years we have heard that eggs, bacon and fatty foods are the biggest enemies of cholesterol. However, according to nutritionist Predrag Nenadić, the reality is often completely different from what most people think. This nutritionist, who trained at the University Clinic in Ludwigshafen, Germany, claims that one of the most widespread misconceptions is that fatty foods cause fatty liver.
Nenadić points out that fatty liver usually has nothing to do with fats, but with sugar and refined carbohydrates.
People live in delusion
“The problem of fatty liver is not caused by fatty food.
These are huge misconceptions. The liver transfers excess sugar into fatty tissue,” explains Nenadić. He adds that foods such as eggs, bacon and meat contain choline, a compound that helps in the proper redistribution of cholesterol. When healthy fats are removed from the diet due to fear of cholesterol, he says, the body can actually develop a fatty liver.
In other words, overindulging in sweets, white flour and industrially processed foods can cause the liver to start storing excess energy in the form of fat.
Experts warn that non-alcoholic fatty liver often does not show clear symptoms for a long time, but it can be manifested through changes in the skin and general deterioration of the body’s condition.
Everything is visible on the skin
“When the liver is fatty, it cannot perform its functions normally. It cannot cleanse the body of toxins. This can be noticed through acne, dandruff, peeling nails and itchy skin,” says Nenadić.
Although it is often demonized, cholesterol plays an important role in the body. “Cholesterol is not something that nature created against man. It is needed for the synthesis of hormones and the construction of cell membranes. The problem arises only when LDL, the so-called bad cholesterol, is elevated,” explains Nenadić.
How to help the liver?
According to him, the health of the liver depends mostly on daily habits.
He emphasizes the importance of sufficient intake of water, fiber and foods that “the liver loves”, such as bitter herbs, dandelion, lincura and burdock roots.
