You know when you get THAT diagnosis? The one you’ve been wanting to deny? The one you were hoping was wrong? Deep down, you know it’s time to make a change.
My background includes doctors ignoring my liver numbers for many years even with a family genetic disease including Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. I am truly grateful for my recent doctor that decided to investigate further and, with my genetic background, referred me to a specialist.
That was exactly a year and a half ago. Through blood work and a Fibroscan, my doctor diagnosed me with stage 2-3 NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). Thankfully, the biopsy showed it was not the Alpha-1 disease specifically, though I am very low in the particular protective enzyme. Though my specialist admittedly knew nothing about nutrition she was emphatic about one specific thing: NO FRUCTOSE. When I started to ask dietary questions, she recommended Mediterranean to start and sent me off to a dietician.
Many of us have dealt with dieticians and know that low carb/Keto is not on the list of options nearly enough. My experience was no different. I lost around 15-20 pounds with lots of exercise on a “Mediterranean” diet. I also was able to get my liver numbers back to normal BUT…my dietician was all about moderation of carbs/sugar which was my downfall. See, I’m a sugar addict. Truly, I could live on sugar for every meal…well, really, I couldn’t because it would have killed me in the end. My liver wasn’t too happy with me. But, I digress…
That “moderate” sugar and carb intake spiralled out of control in a long winter laced with some low-grade depression. I ended up at my highest weight ever, skipping my quarterly liver bloodwork until the very last minute at my annual check in with my liver specialist. In May of 2019, I was 230 pounds and all of my liver numbers had skyrocketed PAST the levels that they had been at my initial diagnosis just a year before. But this time, this wasn’t just information, it was a wake up call. If I continued to live like this, my liver disease would continue to progress.
This time, I was ready to tackle it and I now knew that moderation of sugar was not my friend. Desperate to learn how to control the cravings, I fell into Keto somehow. In my podcast search, 2 Keto Dudes appeared and BAM, my life changed. After listening to a few episodes that peaked my interest, I started at episode number 1 and listen daily. This is the science, motivation, and explanation that I needed to tackle this.
All I have to say is…It worked. Only four months in and I have reversed ALL of my liver enzymes! Nearly every single one is now in the normal range, with the remaining two being only 3 and 4 points away! I nearly jumped for joy and fell over from disbelief all at the same time.
Oh and that pretty cool side effect? 230 lbs down to 192.4 (so far!)
Congratulations on a tough job well done and best wishes going forward with your journey to better health. 
