FATTY LIVER

abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver cells, usually as a result of chronic malnutrition. The particular substances the lack of which brings on fatty liver are choline and methionine. Choline is a vitamin essential for the metabolism of fat in the liver (by oxidation the liver breaks fats down into forms that can be used by tissues outside the liver), and methionine is an amino acida nitrogenous compound, one of the components of proteinthat is used by the body in the manufacture of choline. Persons who have fatty livers characteristically either lack choline and methionine in their diets or are unable to assimilate these substances. Children with kwashiorkor, a protein-deficiency disease, have fatty livers, as alcoholics frequently do. In the case of alcoholism, it is thought that, in addition to the faulty diet, the stimulatory effect of alcohol on the production of fat in the liver may play a role. Fatty liver may also be caused by anything that interferes with the functioning of the liver, including infections, chemical poisons, and a deficient supply of oxygen to the liver. Treatment of fatty liver is directed toward the underlying cause.