Prevent, Reverse, or Manage metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, by working with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in Long Island

What is Fatty Liver disease (now known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease)?

The liver plays a vital role in breaking down food, storing energy, and eliminating waste products. Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), formerly known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), is a chronic condition caused by an accumulation of fat in the liver. This buildup can impair the liver’s ability to function effectively.

MASLD is linked to factors such as excess body weight, high blood sugar, elevated cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. Risk factors include Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance, prediabetes, abnormal triglyceride and cholesterol levels, obesity or being overweight, and heredity/genetic predisposition.

How Prevalent is Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic live disease or Fatty Liver Disease?

NAFLD or MASLD Is the most common type of liver disease in the United States, affecting up to 30% of the population, and continues to be the leading cause of liver disease around the world.

By 2018, 42% of U.S. adults had fatty liver disease, with most cases linked to obesity and/or diabetes.
Fatty liver disease is strongly associated with lifestyle factors and is often preventable through healthy choices.

Can a nutritionist help with fatty liver?

Since diet is the cornerstone for prevention and treatment of MASLD, working with a registered dietitian is essential. Nancy is a NYS Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with over thirty years of experience. She often works with patients who have been diagnosed with MASLD, providing a comprehensive nutrition program that includes:

Assessment: Assessing dietary habits, medical history, lab results, weight, and lifestyle.
Goal Setting: Setting personalized nutrition goals, including attaining and maintaining optimal weight, and promoting overall health.
Meal Planning: Developing a personalized meal plan, based upon lifestyle, food preferences, and health requirements composed of a balance of healthful macronutrients that are both enjoyable and satiating.
Nutrition Education: Providing evidence-based education for the treatment and management of MASLD to help patients understand their medical condition and the appropriate medical nutrition program.
Recent Research Data: Staying current with relevant research on medical nutrition therapy for MASLD.
Ongoing Support: Monitoring progress, evaluating outcomes, and providing continued guidance to overcome dietary challenges while empowering individuals to make the best food choices for their unique needs.
Collaboration: Collaborating with healthcare teams to ensure coordinated integrative care.

Nutrition and MASLD (Previously called NAFLD)

Though here are no medications for MASLD, medical nutrition therapy may prevent, manage, or even reverse progression.

Treatment goals include maintaining a high-quality diet, weight loss, and routine physical activity

A Balanced meal plan

Nutrient-Rich, Whole foods: Prioritize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins to provide essential nutrients and sustain a healthy microbiome.
Healthy fats: Select modest quantities of unsaturated fats, like those from avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
High fiber: Fiber from fruits, vegetables, starchy vegetables and whole grains are needed to manage blood sugar, reduce fatty buildup in the liver, and ensure a healthy microbiome.

Reduce Saturated Fats and Sugars

Limit saturated and trans fats: avoid fried foods, processed snacks, and red meat.
Cut back on refined carbs and sugars: Excess sugar, especially fructose, can convert to liver fat. Reduce sugary drinks, sweets, and refined carbohydrates.

Protein and Anti-inflammatory Foods

Lean Proteins: Options like poultry, fish, beans, and legumes provide protein without excess fat.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fatty fish (salmon, sardines), omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for liver health.
Antioxidant-rich foods: Berries, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds offer antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress on the liver.

Limit or Avoid Alcohol

For most people with fatty liver disease, it’s advised to reduce or eliminate alcohol since it can aggravate liver damage.

Control Blood Sugar and Cholesterol

Manage blood sugar levels: Avoiding refined carbohydrates and sugary foods help to maintain stable blood sugars, which supports liver health.
Healthy cholesterol levels: Minimizing the intake of saturated fat and ultra processed foods helps manage cholesterol levels, which can affect liver function.

Hydration

Staying well-hydrated supports overall metabolic functions, including liver detoxification and fat metabolism.

What is the difference between a registered dietitian and nutritionist?

While the terms “dietitian” and “nutritionist” are often used interchangeably, there are important distinctions between them. Dietitians, like Nancy, are highly regulated professionals who must complete rigorous education and certification requirements. Dietitians are the only qualified experts to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT). They possess the critical skills to analyze medical records, lab results, and dietary assessments, applying evidence-based practices to develop effective nutrition strategies. Nutritionists, on the other hand, may not require any formal education or have recognized credentials

Essentially, all registered dietitians are considered nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians.

Schedule a Consultation Today!

Nancy is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and NYS Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist in Long Island. She specializes in preventing and managing MASLD, previously called NAFLD, through a personalized, sustainable nutrition program. Her consultations include comprehensive dietary evaluations, nutrition education, behavior modification, and individualized meal plans. Nancy offers online medical nutrition therapy to patients across New York. Take control of your liver health —schedule your consultation today!

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Nancy Mazarin - Certified Nutritionist & Registered Dietitian MS, RDN, CDN, CNS

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Amy Pedolsky

17:02 26 Dec 22

Over the past six months that I have been seeing Nacny, she has been very helpful in hepling me lose 31 pounds. She understands very aspect of what I needed and how to accommidate them properly. With Nancy's help I have been able to change my lifestyle, eat healthier and change and treat my medical conditions very differently and for the best. I would highly reccommanded Nancy to anyone that has tried diets before and has not succeded and who has a lot of different medical conditions that make it difficult to know what to eat and what not to eat.

Michael Maino

21:11 17 Dec 22

I was hesitant at first to start seeing a nutritionist. I was very comfortable with my poor eating habits despite being upset about my weight; however I knew I needed to make a change.Nancy was very understanding from the start. Before meeting with Nancy, I had been in a constant cycle of over-restricting myself to lose weight rapidly, followed by binge eating and gaining it all back plus some more.Over the past year and a half, Nancy has helped me discover normal eating. She helped me understand my hunger and my fullness in addition to helping me choose better food options.Nancy is very dedicated to working with you and helping you achieve your goals. She doesn’t just help you reach your goals — she helps you change your perspective of food and eating for the better. What you learn with Nancy is not temporary — you will carry it with you and practice it throughout your life.I have lost almost 70 pounds since first meeting with Nancy and continuing on my journey. I highly recommend working with her.Nancy, thank you for all of your help!

Carol Vogt

21:38 12 Dec 22

Although I was unlucky when I developed some health issues, I was very lucky to find Nancy Mazarin, a skilled, intelligent, caring nutritionist. I saw lots of doctors but she was the one who came up with the diagnosis that finally led to my improved health. She was always available when I had questions and was even willing to meet with me one weekend when I was struggling.

Bonnie Eisler

00:22 03 Dec 22

Nancy has been wonderful to work with. She is extremely knowledgeable about nutrition, and very intuitive in identifying and removing roadblocks her clients may be experiencing on their way to achieving their goals. Nancy is extremely organized and promptly keeps her appointments. I highly recommend her!

richard markx

02:55 11 Oct 22

Absolutely knowledgeable compassionate and very personable!Anyone wishing to improve their health through nutrition and education will find Nancy Mazarin incredibly helpful Thank you for all your help Nancy!