The two types of fatty liver include:
This is fatty liver disorder that is alcoholic related and can be prevented by managing the alcohol intake. If not taken care of, the condition may progress in different stages. They include;
i) Alcoholic Fatty Liver
This is the firsts stage of Alcoholic fatty liver disease and it is caused by the excessive intake of alcohol. This disease occurs when the fat accumulates and toxins builds up within the liver. At this stage there are no specific symptoms and the disease can be reverted by reducing or stopping the intake of alcohol.
ii) Alcohol Hepatitis
This is the second stage of fatty liver disease and it is mainly caused by chronic alcohol consumption. At this stage if the disorder is not treated it can easily progress to severe hepatitis or cirrhosis.
iii) Alcoholic Cirrhosis
This is the third stage of fatty liver disorder and it is caused by severe damage of liver cells. At this stage the disease is not reversible and cannot be treated completely. The life expectancy can however be increased by managing the alcohol intake.
Non Alcoholic Fatty liver disorder can occur as a result of various infections. The condition has four stages which includes;
i) Simple Fatty Liver
Just as the name suggest this stage implies that the liver has some fat around it but not to the extent that it causes damage to the liver cells. This is the condition that most people are diagnosed with. At this stage the liver does not have inflammation but if it is not taken care of, it can become severe with time.
ii) Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis fatty liver
This stage is more severe and it is characterized by inflammation and damage of the liver cells. It leads to the progressive stages of the disease such as fibrosis and cirrhosis which are brought about by liver inflammation.
iii) Fibrosis
This stage occurs as a result of continuous damage of the hepatic tissue and surrounding blood vessels. You can manage this condition and stop further progression by removing the causes of inflammation. If this disease is at this stage and left untreated it progresses to the final stage which is the Nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis.
iv) Non Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is the last stage of Nonalcoholic liver disorder which is mainly characterized by yellow eyes and skin, and persistent dull aches of the abdomen. It is difficult to cure this disease at this stage but you can stop further progression by dealing with the root cause of the inflammation to eliminate it.
It has increasing become important for people with Fatty liver disorder to seek alternative treatments other than medical treatment. Ayurvedic treatment has been widely adopted to cure and also manage the condition.
Ayurvedic diet is one of the approaches to manage the disease. The Ayurvedic diet for treating fatty liver originated from India and it has gained popularity in recent times. It helps by combating the disease and also improve the general wellbeing of the body mind and soul.
Those who adopt Ayurvedic diet and follow all the recommended principles stand a better chance to cleanse and repair their livers and this boost their general health.
Ayurvedic diet is a treatment approach that focuses of different and diverse ways to control the fatty liver and it has huge potential in enhancing the general health of the patients. Fatty liver disorder cannot be medically cured so it needs some intensive diet change to manage it.
The treatment emphasizes of pitta balancing diet plan and including foods and herbs that support, liver such as turmeric. You will need to adopt a diet plan that is personalized according to your needs and this will be complimented by daily exercise, stress management and alcohol abstinence.
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Ayurveda approach to fatty liver treatment put a lot of focus on the important of having a balanced diet. This includes taking foods such as fresh vegetables, whole grains, fruits and lean proteins.
Portion of healthy food
The herbal remedies of the fatty liver are known for their hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The herbs used include; curry leaves, turmeric, giloy, keeezharneli, buttermilk among others.
These herbal remedies are important in supporting the liver function and helping in detoxification
Panchakarma therapies are important in uprooting the root cause of the disease hence preventing any occurrence in the future. It’s detoxification action can also be applied on the fatty liver.
Panchakarma has various benefits to the liver such as:
• It removes the accumulated impurities and toxins in the body.
• Cleansing of the body reduces the accumulation of fats and inflammation which enhances the health of the liver.
• It helps in balancing the body’s doshas
• Panchakarma treats the existing liver complications and prevents them from occurring in the future by balancing the doshas.
Hydration- Ensure that you take enough water as it helps in eliminating toxins from your body. This will then improve the functionality of the liver. Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day.
Take a diet that contains fruits and vegetables since it contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. These are important nutrients to the liver since they reduce inflammation and protects it from oxidative stress. Some of the fruits include; grape fruits, avocado, apples, berries, blueberries, citrus fruits, kiwi, papaya among others.
Include whole grains such as oats, wheat and brown rice which are important sources of fibre which helps in fat formation in the liver. Fibre is an important component in enhancing digestion, increasing satiety and controlling blood sugar levels.
Eat lean protein such as fish, lentils, tofu and poultry. These offer important amino acids and do not have high levels of saturated fat. Lean proteins are crucial in repairing and promoting liver health and this reduces the burden to the liver.
Foods such as avocado, seeds, olive oils and almonds are sources of healthy fats which enhance the liver functioning and reduces inflammation. As part of a balanced diet these fat sources should be consumed moderately.
Probiotics is also a helpful bacterium that supports gut health and that have been found to have potential benefits on fatty liver disease treatment. It helps in improving the liver enzymes, reduce the fat buildup in the liver and reduce liver inflammation.
Also, ensure that you consult a professional dietitian before embarking on the diet changes as a way of treating fatty liver. This will help in having a personalized diet recommendation as per your needs.
Just controlling the intake of fat into the body is not enough way of treating fatty liver. You also need to maintain the blood sugar levels, pressure and lipid levels.
Below are some of the things you need to completely remove from your diet to prevent fatty liver progression:
If you are having a fatty liver alcohol is one of the first things that you need to eliminate from your diet. Alcohol does not just promote the fat liver disease but also worsen the already severe condition.
Sugar contain high levels of fructose which is very dangerous to your liver. Sugar also generally weaken the immune system leading to weak body that is prone to diseases and illness.
Refined carbohydrates contains high levels of glycemic index which is causes spike in insulin which can deteriorate the health of liver. Liver fat accumulation can be avoided by non-free sugars, fibre and starch from whole grain. Sugars and starch from refined grains are less clear and could be harmful to the liver.
Always ensure that you take not more than 1500 grams of salt every day.
Some of the fried dishes such as French fries, chicken wings, doughnuts are high on fat and sugar. These meals raise the blood sugar and this plays a huge role in growth of non-alcoholic fatty liver disorder.
Red meat should be avoided if you are looking to managing fatty liver disease. Red meat includes beef which is high in saturated fat. Also avoid processed meat such as sausages and deli meat since they are rich in nitrites that could lead to cirrhosis.
Milk Gruel processed with dried ginger and pepper
Butter milt that is processed with trikatu and curry leaves
Mudga yusha where green grams are boiled with vegetables
Barley roti with vegetable curry
• It is important to ensure that you focus on the cooking methods that will preserve the component vitamins of the food being cooked as you avoid excessive fats and oils.
• Ayurveda approach always recommends seasonal and locally produced foods that are balanced and free from pesticides.
• Always use whole unrefined or unpolished cooking substances.
• Always chose the cooking methods that are simple such as sautéing, grilling or steaming instead of frying.
• Always use mild and anti-inflammatory spices such as ginger, turmeric, cumin so as to maximize the health benefits
• Ensure that you include buttermilk and curry leaves in every meal since it acts as medicine to the fatty liver patients.
• Avoid incompatible foods and always ensure you do not mix random foods that you are not sure of.
• During they cooking process also ensure that you cook in clay pots, cast iron pans or stainless steel cookware, copper vessels and wooden utensils and glassware for storage. Duet to
their natural properties Ayurveda treatment approach advocates for the eco-friendly options. They help in even heat distribution as you prepare food and they retain the nutrients.