Rumour: Exercise improves fatty liver disease.
Truth: This is true. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease occurs as a result of excess fat in our diet, which could eventually lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Currently, there are no standard treatments for NASH apart from recommendations for lifestyle changes such as a healthier diet and exercise.
A recent review paper in Exercise and Sports Sciences Reviews summarized previous research on the beneficial effects of exercise on NASH and fatty liver disease. The review outlines how autophagy—degradation process our cells use to remove excess lipids and proteins—allows for the beneficial effects of exercise in fatty liver disease.
Read more about how exercise improves fatty liver disease here.