Ghee, coconut oil can aggravate fatty liver

Ghee and coconut oil have always been revered as good fat. But, as per a noted hepatologist to reduce the risk of fatty liver disease, limit the consumption of ghee, coconut oil and other fats. Cases of fatty liver diseases are surging across the country. In a launch event on Friday, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh had said that one in three Indians is suffering from fatty liver disease.
This makes it extremely important to understand what fatty liver disease is, what causes it, what are the complications associated with it and how to combat the risk.
Fatty liver disease, also known as hepatic steatosis, is a condition characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in the liver cells. This buildup can occur due to various factors such as excessive alcohol consumption (alcoholic fatty liver disease) or conditions like obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). Over time, fatty liver disease can progress from simple steatosis to more severe forms, potentially leading to inflammation, scarring (fibrosis), and liver damage.

Fatty liver disease is primarily caused by factors that lead to the accumulation of fat in liver cells. The main causes include excessive alcohol consumption, which results in alcoholic fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be caused by obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high levels of triglycerides in the blood, or metabolic syndrome. These conditions promote the storage of fat in the liver, impairing its function over time. Genetic factors, certain medications, rapid weight loss, and viral hepatitis can also contribute to the development of fatty liver disease.
"In the Indian context, if you have metabolic-disorder-associated fatty liver disease (previously NAFLD), remember to limit saturated fat sources in your diet," said Dr Abby Phillips, popularly known as LiverDoc, on the social media platform X.com.
"This means limiting foods containing Ghee, clarified butter (north India), Coconut oil (south India), and Palm oil (processed/ ultra-processed foods)," he explained, adding that "saturated fats increase liver triglycerides and hence liver fat and inflammation."
While ghee is traditionally considered healthy, the doctor noted that it "is not a superfood. It is a super danger. It is almost all fat, and more than 60 per cent is saturated (unhealthy) fat."
He stressed the need to replace it with "healthier (vegetable) seed oils that have low saturated fat and trans-fat content."

Dr Abby also recommended using a diverse range of seed oils in daily cooking. Instead of frying food items, he suggested "bake, boil, broil, grill, or steaming foods."
He also called out to "increase portions of plant-based protein in daily meals and to add daily fresh cut fruit portions (instead of fruit juicing)."
"This is far more important than limiting meat (including lean meat more than red meat), fish, and eggs -- all of which can be consumed in their recommended daily/weekly intake," the doctor said.
For individuals concerned about fatty liver disease or looking to manage their condition, incorporating healthy fats into their diet is recommended. This includes mono- and polyunsaturated fats found in foods like avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish. These fats have been shown to have protective effects on liver health and overall cardiovascular health.