Physical activity is an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of fatty liver disease, and it is also a powerful tool against various liver diseases, regardless of their cause. Although rest was traditionally prescribed as the basis of treatment, more recent studies have shown that prolonged inactivity is harmful, promoting muscle atrophy and increasing the risk of fibrosis. Conversely, physical exercise not only reduces the incidence of fatty liver disease but also significantly improves the quality of life of patients with chronic liver diseases.
With regard to the type of physical activity, aerobic exercise helps reduce body weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. On the other hand, anaerobic (resistance) exercise improves lipid abnormalities, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. However, no significant differences have been observed in the benefits for liver disease when comparing both types of exercise. Physical activity prevents the deposition of triglycerides in the liver, which decreases the likelihood of developing fatty liver disease. Furthermore, physical activity is known to be essential for regulating the inflammatory response and effectively reducing liver inflammation.
How does exercise help fight fatty liver disease?
Regarding fatty liver, physical exercise decreases fat accumulation and reduces inflammation. For all these reasons, it is recommended that all patients with fatty liver engage in regular physical activity, consisting of 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week.
Physical exercise offers overall health benefits and increases resistance to disease in various organs. At the brain level, it enhances cognitive function and stimulates the generation of new neurons. It also significantly improves cardiovascular health and promotes gut health by regulating the microbiota. In short, physical activity is essential in the treatment of liver diseases and should be recommended to all patients with liver disease. Dr. Carreño and the foundation’s medical team always advise our patients to exercise for three to five hours per week.
