Many of us talk about cholesterol because of the risk it poses to the heart. We have a little fear in our minds that 'if cholesterol increases, we will have a heart attack,' right? But did you know that there is another main character in this cholesterol story? That is the liver, one of the most important organs in our body. In fact, there is a much deeper and greater connection between cholesterol and the liver than we think. Let's talk about it today.
What is the relationship between the liver and cholesterol?
Simply put, the liver is the master cholesterol manager in your body. Think of your liver as a big factory that makes and controls cholesterol.
The liver produces the amount of cholesterol the body needs. Then, this produced cholesterol, along with other types of fat, must be sent to other parts of the body through the blood. For this, the liver uses a special type of protein. We call them lipoproteins . These are the ones that carry cholesterol throughout the body like a taxi.
Another major function of the liver is to remove excess cholesterol from the body. This is done through a fluid called bile . The liver converts this excess cholesterol into bile and then removes it from the body.
You may have heard of hereditary high cholesterol. In most cases, this happens because the liver is unable to properly process cholesterol, or remove it from the body. This causes the cholesterol level in the blood to rise unnecessarily.
How dietary cholesterol affects the liver
We've all heard that dietary cholesterol is bad for your heart. But the truth is, it can actually be even worse for your liver.
Most of the cholesterol we eat goes directly to the liver. So if you eat too much cholesterol-rich foods (for example, foods high in saturated fat and animal fat), it greatly increases the risk of fatty liver disease (or steatosis) .
Fatty liver is a condition that may not initially cause major symptoms, but can become serious over time.
If this condition worsens, it can lead to a potentially fatal condition called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) . NASH is simply a condition in which fat builds up in the liver, causing it to swell and begin to become damaged.
Once NASH develops, it can lead to other serious liver diseases, including:
- Liver inflammation
- Liver hardening or scarring, a condition called cirrhosis
- Liver failure
- Liver cancer
Not only this, but changes in cholesterol levels can also affect a number of other chronic liver diseases. Let's take a closer look at this in the table below.
| Other liver diseases that affect cholesterol changes | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Alcoholic liver disease | The damage to the liver of alcoholics can be further exacerbated by high cholesterol. |
| Hepatitis C | This virus can alter fat metabolism in the liver and cause cholesterol problems. |
| Hepatitis B | This infection can also affect the liver's cholesterol control. |
| Cholestatic liver disease | In this condition, the flow of bile from the liver is impaired. As a result, cholesterol stops being removed from the body and accumulates in the blood. |
| Cirrhosis | When the liver is severely damaged (cirrhosis), its ability to produce and control cholesterol is almost completely lost. |
How to control cholesterol to protect the liver?
The good news is that if you have high cholesterol and are a little worried about your liver, there are many simple, yet very important things you can do to reduce this risk.
- Regular exercise: It is very important to do aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Reduce saturated fat and trans fat: Reduce your intake of fatty, fried foods, cakes, biscuits, sausages, and red meat (beef, pork) as much as possible.
- Eat more fiber-rich foods: Include fiber-rich foods like oats, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and brown rice in your diet. Fiber helps lower cholesterol levels in the body.
- Controlling carbohydrates: Eat only the necessary amount of starchy foods like bread, rice, and noodles. It is especially important to limit sugar and sweetened beverages.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Maintaining a weight that is appropriate for your height can reduce the risk of fatty liver disease.
Mediterranean Diet
Research has found that the Mediterranean diet is very good for the liver. This is somewhat similar to the diet in our country. In this diet, red meat and dairy are reduced and the following foods are added to the diet more:
- Fresh vegetables and herbs
- Fresh fruits
- Whole grains
- Legumes like lentils, chickpeas, and green beans
- Nuts and seeds like cashews, peanuts, and almonds
- Healthy oils like olive oil
If these lifestyle changes don't help lower your cholesterol, your doctor may recommend that you start taking cholesterol-lowering medication. Statins are the most common type of medication. However, this decision should be made only after your doctor has evaluated your health.
Therefore, if you have high cholesterol and are concerned about your liver health, be sure to talk to your doctor and discuss what steps you can take to reduce this risk.
Take-Home Message
- Cholesterol is something that directly affects not only your heart, but also your liver.
- The liver is the main organ in the body that makes cholesterol and removes excess amounts.
- High cholesterol intake from food can lead to serious conditions such as fatty liver and NASH.
- A healthy diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can help keep both the liver and cholesterol healthy.
- If you have any concerns about your cholesterol levels or liver health, consult your doctor immediately. Never take medication based on guesswork.
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