I often get asked from post surgery clients struggling with stubborn weight gain and fatty liver if they should follow a keto based diet?

Saturated fats are common in many diets, especially keto based diet. In this blog I will discuss why following a keto diet may not be the right choice after gallbladder surgery or if you have fatty liver disease. 

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an issue where too much fat builds up in your liver. Eating lots of saturated fats can boost liver fat and even cause inflammation[i]. This condition is linked to serious health problems like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

If you’ve had your gallbladder removed, your diet becomes even more crucial. Without a gallbladder, your body processes fats differently, making you more susceptible to liver fat build-up. Managing weight gain through diet and exercise becomes important to avoid complications.

The good news is you can make diet changes to support your liver[ii]. Replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats and eating more greens and omega-3 rich fish can help limit liver fat. Understanding and adjusting to these changes not only helps prevent fatty liver but can also improve your overall health.

Key Takeaways

• Saturated fats can increase liver fat and inflammation.
• Post-surgery, it’s important to manage diet and weight.
• Lifestyle changes like diet can help prevent fatty liver.

How Excess Saturated Fats Promote Fatty Liver, Especially After Gallbladder Surgery

Excess saturated fats can significantly affect your liver, especially if you’ve had gallbladder surgery. Without a gallbladder, your liver releases bile directly into your small intestine, making it harder to process fats.

Saturated Fats and the Liver

Saturated fatty acids can worsen fatty liver[iii]. After gallbladder removal, your liver dumps bile directly into your intestines. This bile isn’t as effective at breaking down fats, leading to fat accumulation in the cells of your liver. This can turn into liver inflammation and might even progress to NASH.

Understanding NAFLD and NASH

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are conditions where fat builds up in your liver. This typically happens when you consume too much fat, sugar, or calories, leading to liver steatosis[iv]. If you’re overweight, obese, or have type 2 diabetes, you’re at higher risk. Symptoms might include fatigue or discomfort in the upper right abdomen. These conditions can progress to serious liver damage, including inflammation and scarring.

Diet’s Role in Liver Health

Eating a balanced diet is key to liver health, especially post-surgery. You should cut back on saturated fats, found in meats and dairy products[v]. Instead, focus on consuming more fruits and vegetables, which offer essential nutrients without the excessive fat.

Incorporate fatty fish like salmon for omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce liver fat content. Avoid simple sugars and fructose, commonly found in sweets and sugary drinks, as they can lead to the creation of fat cells and further liver damage. Regular exercise and drinking alcohol in moderation are also crucial steps to manage your liver health.

Maintaining a liver-friendly diet can help prevent liver steatosis and inflammation. By making these changes, you can support your liver’s recovery and overall well-being.

Post-Surgical Weight Issues

After gallbladder surgery, many people struggle with weight gain and other complications. Let’s look at these challenges and how certain diets can make things worse.

The Struggle is Real

Weight gain is a common problem after gallbladder surgery. Your body is adapting to the loss of the gallbladder, which helped digest fats. Now, without it, fats can’t be broken down as easily.

You might also experience digestive issues like bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. This is because the bile, which is now directly released into the intestine, can be more irritating to your digestive system.

Post-surgery, you might become overweight or even develop type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. These conditions occur because your body struggles to manage the fats and sugars in your diet. It’s essential to monitor your weight and work with an Integrative Nutritionist to make the necessary dietary adjustments.

How a Keto Diet Can Make Things Worse and Promote Fatty Liver

Many people try a Keto diet after surgery to lose weight. But this high-fat, low-carb diet can lead to more problems[vi]. The Keto diet often includes a lot of saturated fatty acids, which increase liver fat accumulation.

The Keto diet can raise levels of ceramides, harmful fat molecules that contribute to inflammation and liver damage[vii]. Instead, consider diets rich in polyunsaturated fats like fish and plant oils to avoid complications[viii].

Post-surgery, a balanced diet with moderate fats and plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help maintain healthy liver function and prevent further complications[ix]. For specific dietary adjustments, it’s beneficial to seek advice tailored to your individual needs.

Conclusion

Saturated fats are linked to an increase in liver fat. Eating too much of these fats can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which raises the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems[x].

It’s important to keep your liver healthy by making smart food choices. Eating right not only helps your liver but also supports your digestive system and overall well-being. Ready to learn more?  Sign up for my FREE Master Class on the 4 Steps to Address the Root Cause of Digestive Issues and Fatty Liver After Gallbladder Surgery!