Managing Fatty Liver: How to Improve Your Liver Health Naturally

If the liver could speak you would know how hard it works to keep your system running. Filtering harmful toxins from the blood and processing nutrients, secreting bile and generating energy, it does some of the most crucial functions. So, healthy liver is very essential for a healthy body. That’s why in this blog, I bring you Ayurvedic tips to cure Fatty liver.

Last year on World’s Liver Day, Smita asked me why is fatty liver disease becoming such an epidemic. Also she inquired if Ayurveda has a way to combat fatty liver.

These were the questions that most people have in mind. Fatty liver is one of the most commonly diagnosed liver diseases in clinical practice. Yet the awareness about this is so scarce.

Fatty liver is a condition that occurs due to an extra build-up of fats in the liver cells. It is a common complaint in the west and it is now witnessing a rise in our home ground. 

Is it a risk?

A chubby liver causes no harm. But over time it may lead to inflammation resulting in severe conditions like steatohepatitis or cirrhosis. This often leads to liver failure. 

Risks of fatty liver in an Advanced stage:

• Excessive bleeding 
• Jaundice 
• Gastrointestinal bleeding 
• Fluid accumulation 
• Mental changes 
• Coma 
• Liver cancer

Identifying the issue of fatty liver

Some fat in the liver is normal, but if the fat accounts for more than 10 percent of the liver’s weight then you have a fatty liver. Now taking the liver out and weighing it in a weighing scale does not sound feasible?

In most cases, fat in the liver is spotted in tests done for a general checkup or other purposes. Most common test identifiers include:

• Ultrasonography, 
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan 
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Blood tests

Is fatty liver disease reversible? 

Well, in the initial stage fatty liver disease is completely reversible. Regular exercise, proper diet and healthy lifestyle can help. But unfortunately, in most cases, a fatty liver condition may go undiagnosed. This can lead to serious irreversible damage.

Ayurvedic Diet to fight fatty liver

Diet plays a major role in keeping the liver up and healthy. In Ayurveda, bitter tasting and cooling foods like aloe vera, neem, karela, amla, and turmeric are used for protection and enhancement of liver health. Green leafy vegetables, broccoli, beetroots, carrots, and apples are also good for the liver.

The diet also comes with a restriction in consumption of alcohol, sugar, refined grains, salty foods, fatty foods, and fast foods. And there are certain foods that are good for the liver. The list includes –

1. Garlic and onion

Onion and Garlic have a hepatoprotective effect. Garlic has great anti-inflamatory effects. This combination works amazingly well as a NAFL disease remedy.

2. Coffee

World Journal of Hepatology calls coffee to be the magical beans for liver disease. Several studies say coffee may play a big role in preventing and treating chronic liver diseases. Consuming more than two cups of coffee can reduce fat build up and collagen deposition in the liver.

Also Read: How much coffee is good for health?

3. Amla

Amla is revered for its digestive powers and its aid in removing toxins from the body. Ayurveda hails amla to be a natural remedy for liver diseases. It is a great detoxifier for the liver.

Also Read: Top 10 scientific research on health benefits of Amla

4. The water of boiled Rice

The water that is left after boiling rice is called manda in Ayurveda and it is good for improving liver function. ( manda is diluted rice gruel; here rice and water ratio is 1: 14 )

5. Walnuts

A report from 2015 found that eating walnuts improved liver function tests in people with NAFLD.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fatty liver is a common condition that can turn chronic if not cared. It is very important to take the right precautions and care to prevent the aftermath of fatty liver. Controlling your weight, diet and lifestyle can help in managing this.

So, get your FLT done and take care of your health!