About four years ago, 32 year-old bank executive John Michael Tang was rushed to the hospital due to burning fever, vomiting and loss of appetite. He was diagnosed to have fatty liver.
Also known as “hepatic steatosis,” fatty liver is one of the most common liver diseases, affecting millions worldwide. And while many doctors often disregard it as an innocuous condition, the associated health risks warrant attention.
“People with fatty liver have a shorter lifespan, with the most common cause of death being cardiovascular disease, usually from heart attacks and strokes. They need to be screened for diabetes, heart disease, elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure, among other conditions,” revealed Dr. Eternity Labio, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at the Center for Liver Disease Management and Transplantation of the Medical City and Asian Hospital.
Dr. Labio further explained that fatty liver disease comes in two types: the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). For the nondrinkers, the condition is common particularly among those who are overweight, have diabetes and with high cholesterol levels.
In John Michael’s case, the doctor pointed to his weight, diet and lifestyle as the cause for the condition, and he concurred “My family loves to eat and I used to drink a lot. I eat whatever I want. I never thought of myself as fat, so I never controlled what I ate before.” But at 274 pounds, he was clearly overweight.
After his hospitalization, he became committed to losing weight, at first by cutting down on his carbs, almost eliminating rice from his diet, and even taking herbal medicines. When these did not work as quickly as he desired, he enrolled in the Cohen’s Lifestyle Program, as recommended by a friend whose transformation he witnessed.
Wellness solution
The Cohen Program is a rapid weight loss and wellness solution through nutrition based on a person’s unique blood profile. It was developed by Dr. Rami Cohen, an international specialist renowned for his research on hormones involved in obesity and weight loss.
By following the prescribed diet and lifestyle change, John Michael soon saw his weight drop to 193 lbs in six months. As a most welcome consequence of weight loss, succeeding tests have also shown his liver to be in their best state ever. As a bonus, he shared, “It’s now easy for me to shop for clothes, plane rides are more comfortable, and I feel that I have more energy than before throughout the day.”
Like him, 28 year-old businessman Moses de Ocampo Lalwani discovered having fatty liver disease by accident. Coming from a family whose members are admittedly all on the heavy side, he did not make much fuss about weighing 190 lbs and the associated hypertension. That is, until test results on his liver alarmed him.
Moses recounted that he had been living the unhealthy life of the young: “I was always with my barkada almost every night, eating out and drinking.” So when his doctor said he needs to lose weight to treat his condition, Moses took to the gym. However, the results were slow, and the weight getting shaved off, much less than he desired. So, he sought something more effective: the Cohen program.
After five months, he was down to 140 lbs. He has likewise been cleared of his liver condition, and has been feeling light and healthy, and looking better than ever before. Like John Michael, he also urged people struggling with fatty liver disease to lose weight, and become determined to embrace a healthy life for them and the ones they love.
Dr. Labio explained: “A healthy and active lifestyle is the first step to reduce your chances of developing these conditions. Weight loss through a healthy diet and exercise coupled with good control of sugar and cholesterol levels and avoidance of too much alcohol are the most effective strategies known to prevent progression of fatty liver.”