Nutritional deficiencies associated with fatty liver disease cause skin complications, doctors say.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rates are rising rapidly in developed countries. As the name of the disease implies, it is not associated with alcohol. The main cause of the disease is malnutrition and other factors.
NAFLD causes nutritional deficiencies, which in turn lead to their own spectrum of clinical symptoms. For example, a rash around the mouth may signal that liver dysfunction is depleting zinc levels in the blood.
Chronic liver disease interferes with the absorption of nutrients such as zinc. This was confirmed in a study published in the journal Metabolism Open. Physicians have considered several reasons for the prevalence of zinc deficiency in patients with NAFLD.
– Patients with NAFLD have shown a significant decrease in serum zinc concentrations compared with the control group. These indicators are also associated with liver fibrosis,says the study.
Insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, and diet may be potential causes of low zinc levels.
Zinc is an essential micronutrient for sustaining life. It is needed for the production of proteins and DNA, muscle growth and repair, the proper sense of taste and smell. Zinc promotes wound healing, helps the immune system fight bacteria and viruses, improves digestion, and regulates hormone production.
Expert nutritionist Emma Derbyshireexplained that “zinc contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system.”
— Zinc is known to modulate antiviral and antibacterial immunity and the inflammatory response. It must be admitted that about 18 percent of children aged 11 to 18 and one in 20 adults do not receive the recommended amount of zinc, she emphasized.
Zinc deficiency causes irritation of the skin around the mouth. It looks like a rash of small, fluid-filled blisters.
Impaired liver function can also cause other facial symptoms such as swelling, itching, and rosacea. Zinc supplements may reduce the accumulation of lipids in the liver, but they must be prescribed by a doctor. Otherwise, serious complications are possible.
There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of developing fatty liver disease:
- Obesity, especially in the abdomen
- Type 2 diabetes
- Insulin resistance
- Hypothyroidism
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Metabolic syndrome (combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity)
- Age over 50
- Smoking.
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Important! Information provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.