Home remedies for fatty liver

Ideally, a healthy liver should contain little or no fat as excess fat can interfere with the proper functioning of this organ. Liver plays an important role in processing the food and detoxifying the body. There are many risk factors, including obesity and diabetes, associated with a fatty liver. The condition may not seem severe initially as there are usually no symptoms or any visible effects on the affected person, but it can develop into other life-threatening conditions, such as liver cancer or cirrhosis, if left untreated. There aren’t many optimal treatments for fatty liver as of yet. However, numerous home remedies for fatty liver and lifestyle changes can make a huge impact.

Here, you can learn about different types of fatty liver diseases, common symptoms and risk factors associated with fatty liver, and more. Keep reading to find out natural remedies for fatty liver.

What is a Fatty Liver?

Fatty liver is a condition in which excess fat gets accumulated in the liver that can affect liver function and cause other health problems. Fatty liver can be categorised into two categories:

• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which indicates the presence of fats in the liver but no damage to the liver itself.
• Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which indicates signs of inflammation and damage to the liver cells along with the presence of fat in the liver.

Most cases of fatty liver are usually mild and do not progress further than NAFLD. However, in some cases the disease can become more severe than NASH. If the patient with NASH is deteriorating, they are likely to develop liver fibrosis; this stage is caused by persistent inflammation that results in scar tissue around the liver and nearby blood vessels, but the liver is able to maintain normal function.

Some patients may get cirrhosis, which is the most severe stage of the fatty liver disease. Cirrhosis occurs after prolonged inflammation (often years); the liver shrinks and become lumpy and scarred at this stage. People who have cirrhosis have permanent damage in their liver and may get liver cancer or their liver might fail.

Symptoms of Fatty Liver disease

People with excess fat in their liver can go on with their lives without developing any symptoms. People with NASH may experience the following symptoms:

• Severe fatigue
• Weakness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Yellow colouring of the skin or eyes
• Chronic itching

Risk Factors of Fatty Liver

Although the exact cause of the fatty liver disease is not known yet, several factors, including the following, are associated with the condition.

• Obesity
• High fat levels in the blood
• Diabetes mellitus or prediabetes
• High blood pressure/hypertension
• Dyslipidemia
• Smoking
• High cholesterol

Chronic, low-grade inflammation that is also associated with NASH can become a silent killer and contribute to cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other conditions.

People who don’t fall under any of the high-risk categories can also get fatty liver. Young children have also been diagnosed with NAFLD.

Diagnosis of NAFLD

A liver function test (blood test) is usually recommended to patients who are suspected to have fatty liver; abnormal test results indicate fatty liver disease, and the results are used to rule out other possibilities such as hepatitis. However, it is possible that the blood test may show false normal results in a patient who has NAFLD.

If the doctor is not sure about the test results, they will likely order an ultrasound scan of the abdomen. Further tests are ordered if NAFLD is confirmed to check how far the disease has progressed. Sometimes, a liver biopsy (a test to analyse liver tissue in a laboratory) may also be required.

Treatment for Fatty Liver

People with NAFLD who don’t have any other medical problems can recover from the condition without any special treatment. However, making certain lifestyle is extremely important to manage or reverse the built-up of fat in the liver.

There is no dedicated medication available for reversing the fat built-up in the liver in case of NASH. The disease may continue to progress to a more severe condition. It is better to consult a hepatologist or a liver specialist in case you have NASH. The following treatments and lifestyle changes can help:

• Medication to reduce triglycerides or cholesterol
• Medication to reduce blood pressure
• Medication to control diabetes
• Avoiding alcohol
• Losing weight
• Eating a healthy and balanced diet

Note: People who develop cirrhosis can consider getting a liver transplant.

Home Remedies for Fatty Liver

Listed below are some of the natural remedies for fatty liver:

• Nigella seeds or kalonji powder

Studies have indicated that consuming nigella seeds is beneficial for people with NAFLD. Several patients were administered 1 g nigella seeds powder in a capsule twice a day for 12 weeks in a study, and improvements were reported in their condition. You can try this as a home remedy for fatty liver at home as well. To prepare nigella seeds powder, source good quality seeds from the local market and wash them with plain water then dry in the sun. After they are completely dry, blend in the grinder to make a fine powder and store this in an air-tight container. Consume 1 g twice a day with water.

• Garlic

Adding garlic to your diet can also be effective in alleviating a fatty liver as it is antibacterial properties and contains many components such as sulphur, allycetoin I and II, and nicotinic, which promote the synthesis of bad cholesterol and helps the body excrete it. These substances also inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver and can be an important part of natural remedies for fatty liver. You can add garlic to your meals and make a garlic-based sauce.

• Aloe vera

Aloe vera has a detoxifying effect on blood and reduces the fat content in the blood. Fresh aloe vera leaves are also effective in reducing and stabilising fat in the liver and can be a great natural cure for fatty liver. One can consume it in the juice form by blending and straining freshly cut and cleaned aloe vera leaves. Otherwise, eating the flesh of the aloe vera leaf with some water or including it in smoothies/milkshakes also works.

• Cucumber

This popular salad ingredient can help in treating fatty liver disease. You can enjoy a classic cucumber salad or make a juice for the home remedy for fatty liver. It’s readily available throughout the year usually and is fairly inexpensive.

• Lotus root or kamal kakdi in your diet

Consuming lotus root in the form of juice, soup, or vegetable can help in treating fatty liver. This vegetable is often used in Asian kitchens, and it also reduces fat, prevents aging, and stabilises blood pressure. It is possible that this vegetable may not be available in some areas throughout the year; thus, people are encouraged to try other home remedies.

• Turmeric

A staple in every Indian household, turmeric can be extremely beneficial for people with fatty liver. It has anti-inflammatory properties and offers numerous health benefits. Research shows that turmeric supplementation can be an effective home remedy for fatty level. One can prepare a warm beverage by boiling a cup of water and adding a pinch of turmeric in it (lemon and honey for taste may be added to enhance taste) and drink this every morning on an empty stomach.

• Green tea

Studies have indicated that people with fatty liver who consumed green tea extract showed significant improvements. Green tea extracts are different from green tea itself, as they are usually a concentrated form of green tea; however, drinking green tea regularly may help alleviate fatty liver.

• Amla in the diet

Perhaps, one of the most prominent ingredients of many home remedies, amla has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can help improve liver function. Experts believe that adding amla to your daily diet can help with a fatty liver as well. You can prepare amla juice by blending it and straining the juice or make a chutney by adding salt, pepper, and other ingredients as per your taste to consume this potent ingredient. Apart from the home remedies for fatty liver mentioned above, research is being conducted to find more natural cures for fatty liver. One study shows that white rice vinegar improves fatty liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. However, human trials have yet to begin. There are numerous natural cures for fatty liver, including the following, but there isn’t enough scientific research available to back these yet.

• Apple cider vinegar is believed to promote weight loss, reduce cholesterol levels, lower inflammation, and improve liver’s overall health; thus, people with fatty liver may consider taking this as a natural remedy. For this fatty liver home remedy, you can drink one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar mixed in a glass of warm water twice a day.
• Lemon juice is associated with a positive impact on alcohol-induced fatty liver as it can help lower lipid profile levels. You can drink a glass of water with juice of half a lemon twice a day.
• Flaxseeds offer numerous health benefits; they may also help with a fatty liver. Try consuming one teaspoon of flaxseeds with a glass of water every day; make sure to chew them properly.
• Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that may help with a fatty liver. You can include it in your vegetable preparation, boil freshly grated ginger in your tea and drink that, or drink freshly squeezed juice.

Lifestyle Changes to Keep Your Liver Healthy

It is important for people who are diagnosed with fatty liver disease to make some changes in their daily lives to keep the liver as healthy as possible to prevent the disease from progressing and developing other complications. Here is a list of recommendations to keep your liver healthy:

• Avoid drinking alcohol as it can increase the mortality rate in people who have fatty liver.
• Consult a doctor before trying any new natural remedy for fatty liver made with herbs or other medications as some ingredients can be toxic to the liver.
• Get a vaccine for hepatitis A and B.
• Eat a balanced meal and maintain optimum health.
• Go for regular screening to keep a tab on your condition.

The bottom line

A healthy liver is essential for leading a healthy life. NAFLD is a common condition that affects many people; it can go undiagnosed for a long period until it becomes a serious issue as every affected person may not experience symptoms. However, if you notice abdominal pain, swelling in the legs, confusion, and other symptoms, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor.

People who are diagnosed with fatty liver must pay attention and make changes to their lifestyle and diet to improve their health, such as reducing the fat content in the diet, avoiding alcohol, losing weight, and including more fruits and vegetables. The aforementioned home remedies for fatty liver show promise, according to various studies. You can try them for yourself in addition to eating a healthy, balanced meal and increasing your physical activity.