Liver disorders are rising at an alarming rate, especially the fatty liver, which might not be because of alcohol consumption.
Somewhere you are putting pressure on your liver with your unhealthy food habits, erratic lifestyles, and self-medication.
These factors can change the morphology of your liver cells and result in various diseases.
So let’s follow a healthy lifestyle and some ayurvedic remedies to eliminate this disorder and protect our body’s detox machine.
What is fatty liver?
Fatty liver is a condition where your liver cells get accumulate excess fat. It can be of two types, namely alcoholic fatty liver disease, and nonalcoholic liver disease. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is primarily due to excessive alcohol consumption. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) arises due to lifestyle changes, in which alcohol is not the leading cause. Nonalcoholic fatty liver occurs in people who drink very little or do not drink alcohol. It is more common in overweight, prediabetic, and diabetic patients.
It can afflict people of any age, including children. Nonalcoholic fatty liver occurs when fat accumulates in the liver cells. NAFLD usually does not cause significant problems. However, in a tiny percentage of people, it causes liver ulcers and, eventually, cirrhosis.
A poor diet, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, obesity, insulin resistance, rapid weight loss, certain antibiotic medications, etc., are many factors that can lead to NAFLD.
NAFLD often does not cause any symptoms. Therefore, the diagnosis of the disease is delayed. However, some may experience pain in the liver, vomiting, and dizziness.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis causes inflammation and scarring of the liver in addition to inflammation.
This can later lead to severe liver disease. In addition, NASH can later progress to cirrhosis.
Symptoms of fatty liver
It usually shows no symptoms unless it progresses to further stages which includes
- Fatigue
- Upper Abdominal pain in the right quadrant
- Abdominal fullness
- Edema
- Weight loss
- Jaundice
- Nausea or vomiting
- Poor appetite
- Skin discoloration
Causes of fatty liver
In fatty liver disease, fat is stored in the liver cells in excess, where it gets accumulated. A lot of factors can be the cause of this fat buildup.
Drinking too much alcohol can cause AFLD. This is because heavy alcohol use can alter specific metabolic processes in the liver.
In people who don’t consume alcohol, the cause of fatty liver disease is unknown or less clear. For these people, it is possible that their body produces too much fat or doesn’t metabolize fat efficiently.
Fatty liver develops in people who are with the following risk factors
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Insulin resistance
- High levels of cholesterol, especially triglycerides, in the blood
- Metabolic syndrome
Other potential causes of fatty liver include:
- Pregnancy
- Side effects from certain types of medications
- Certain bacterial and viral infections, such as hepatitis C
- Rare genetic conditions
- Different stages of fatty liver
- Mainly there are four stages of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
- Simple fatty liver or steatosis
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Fibrosis
- Cirrhosis
How to treat fatty liver in Ayurveda?
Ayurvedic views on the fatty liver differ from that of western medicine. The treatment principles also vary. Lifestyle disorders can be easily tackled with Ayurveda, and so the fatty liver. Ayurveda considers this disease as an Imbalance of Pitta and Kapha dosha.
Virechana (Purgation) is the most suitable remedy for this disorder as it helps balance and remove those aggravated doshas and is one of the detox measures indicated in liver disorders. Also, hepatoprotective drugs are very effective and safe in this condition.
When Fatty Liver progresses to the next stage, and Dhatus gets involved, treatment should be directed towards nourishing the dhatus and preventing its degeneration.
The importance of Guda Ardraka Yoga and Gomutra Haritaki Prayoga In fatty liver disease is explained in Ayurveda classics and is very effective in this case.
Various Ayurveda formulations for Fatty liver are mentioned in classical texts. Some of them are Pippali Churna, Patoladi Churna, Maha Sudarshan Churna, Rohitaka churna, Agnitundi Vati, Kaidaryadi kashayam, Arogyavardhini Vati, Patolakaturohinyadi Kashayam, Rohitakarishta, Pippalyasava, Kumaryasava, Kalameghaasava, Yakrit-Plihari Loha and many more. Therefore, consult with an Ayurvedic physician before taking these formulations.
Tips to prevent fatty liver
Lose weight
Weight loss is the most effective treatment for preventing NAFLD. It’s just that weight loss should be done by following a proper diet.
No sweets
Reducing the consumption of sweets is necessary to prevent NAFLD. Instead, broccoli, leafy greens, carrots, apples, and eggs are good as they have a low Glycemic Index (GI).
Dandelion root tea
It helps in cleansing and detoxifying the body.
Liquorice root tea
Liquorice means our double sweetness. A spoonful of liquorice root powder mixed with warm water is good for fatty liver.
Keezharnelly
Consuming 900 mg of keezharnelli twice a day can help cure fatty liver. But unfortunately, it also helps increase glutathione production in the liver.
Gooseberry
Gooseberry is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants and is suitable for liver health.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a cure for all diseases. So adding turmeric to your diet is very good for your health. Turmeric can even prevent liver cancer.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is good for good digestion. Consume cinnamon by adding it in tea or pill form.
Dietary changes
Try to include foods that are bitter or astringent in taste and light to digest, such as
- Horse Gram
- Green Gram
- Barley
- Buttermilk
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Drum stick
- Bitter gourd
- Methi leaves
- Curry leaves
Foods to be avoided
- Refined carbs, including white rice, white bread, noodles, and pasta, must be removed from the person’s diet.
- Processed junk foods contain excess greasy fats and thus need to be avoided.
- Breakfast cereals are also highly processed and should be avoided.
- Baked goods like cakes, cookies, scones, puff pastry, etc., require excess fats for baking and must be avoided entirely.
- Deep-fried sweets and savories are also to be avoided by the person.
- Meat, especially red meats like lamb, pork, and beef, and meat products containing animal fats
- Avoid dairy-rich products like cheese, butter, margarine, mayonnaise, ice creams, and fruit yogurt
Foods to Promote Healthy Liver
- Whole grains like brown rice, wheat, rye, and oats are to be part of the person’s regular diet.
Organic fruits and vegetables rich in fiber will benefit a fatty liver sufferer.
If you cannot avoid meat, the person should switch to fat-trimmed meats and chicken and may consume seafood like prawns, salmon, sardines, tuna, etc., which are rich in essential fatty acids.
For regular cooking, oils that contain omega-3 fatty acids are recommended for the sufferer. The best choice would be cold-pressed olive oil.
Conclusion
Fatty liver is increasing due to changing eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. It is becoming more common even among non-drinkers due to the increased consumption of fat and junk foods. Fatty liver symptoms are subtle and may go unnoticed until they become severe. Therefore, make appropriate diet and lifestyle changes to prevent or reverse fatty liver. Taking Ayurvedic medicine for the fatty liver can strengthen liver health and ensure a disease-free life.
If you are looking for fatty liver Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala, then visit an Ayurvedic hospital in Kerala