Fatty Liver Treatment

Here is a list of home remedies for fatty liver disease and fatty liver treatment for alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver. Find out what is the best fatty liver diet and fatty liver health supplement.

What is fatty liver disease? What are the causes of fatty liver? What are the symptoms of fatty liver disease?

Fatty liver disease refers to a condition in which there is a buildup of excess fat in the liver, usually more than 10% of the liver's weight. There are two types of fatty liver disease. One is called non alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD and the other is alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Fatty Liver Causes

Alcoholic fatty liver disease is mainly caused by abuse or overuse of alcohol. In certain cases, because of genetics, even drinking a moderate amount can lead to acute alcoholic fatty liver.

The major causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver are obesity and type 2 diabetes. Other conditions and diseases that can cause NAFLD include high cholesterol, high levels of triglycerides in the blood and metabolic syndrome. Certain medications may also contribute to NAFLD.

NAFLD can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis which is the accumulation of fat accompanied by hepatic inflammation. If left untreated, NAFLD can cause scaring of the liver or fibrosis and cirrhosis. NAFLD increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and liver failure.

Fatty Liver Symptoms

There are usually no signs and symptoms of alcoholic fatty liver disease. But internally, after a few days of consuming alcohol, greasy deposits will form on the liver. The symptoms of alcoholic fatty liver disease will show up only when it is already severe which include abdominal discomfort, jaundice, nausea and weakness.

There are also no symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. But unknowingly, the liver may have problem breaking down fats and its accumulation could have already caused inflammation and scarring. Some signs may appear such as pain in the right abdomen, fatigue and weight loss.

The best way to determine if you have a buildup of fatty liver deposits is to see a hepatologist and do a blood test, liver ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.

In the early stage, reversing fatty liver is possible. For alcoholic fatty liver, the best fatty liver treatment is to stop consuming alcohol.

Listed below are some of the options for nonalcoholic fatty liver treatment.

Fatty liver treatment No. 1 - Lose weight

If obesity is the cause of NAFLD, the solution is to lose weight. Obesity is one of the causes of diabetes. So, besides treating fatty liver, losing weight will also reduce your risk of diabetes and many other major illnesses.

Eating high calorie foods can also lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. You must start to eat healthy, reduce your calories and consistently do aerobic and weight training exercises. You can read a list of home remedies for weight loss by clicking the link.

Fatty liver treatment No. 2 - Treat and manage the underlying problem

If diabetes or high cholesterol is the cause of NAFLD, the only option you have is to treat and manage the problem. If diabetes isn't treated, many other complications will follow such as heart disease and bone and joint disorders. And high levels of bad cholesterol will increase your risk of heart diseases.

You can read natural remedies for diabetes and remedies for high cholesterol by clicking on the links.

Fatty liver treatment No. 3 - Diet for fatty liver

A study on mice indicates that a high glycemic diet may lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Foods that fall in this category include broad beans, French fries, white rice and white bread.

What you should eat are foods with low GI which is 55 or lower than that. Some examples are broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, grapefruit, natural muesli, lentils, linseed, lettuce, green beans, peanuts, prunes, soya, walnuts and whole grains.

Cut down or totally avoid fatty foods and saturated fats. You will not only reduce the accumulation of liver deposits but also lose weight. Some examples of foods high in saturated fats are butter, cheese, ice cream, whole milk, fatty meats and all processed foods.

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are good fats. Some examples are avocado, canola oil, salmon, tuna, sardines, tofu, soymilk, flaxseed, sunflower oil, olive oil and nuts.

Include fish, fresh fruits and fruit juices, lean meat, skinless chicken, soy, fat free dairy products, fresh vegetables and whole grains in your diet daily and you will not only reduce your risks of liver diseases but also improve your overall health.

Fatty liver treatment No. 4 - Supplements and vitamins for fatty liver

A report in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that taking vitamin E may help treat obesity related fatty liver disease. According to the report which was published in 2010, the liver functions of adults with advance fatty liver disease improved by 43% when they were given high dosage of vitamin E.

A study conducted by the Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands indicates that omega 3 fatty acids is capable of reversing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Omega 3 fatty acids supplement are sold as fish oil, canola oil, soybean oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil.

Fatty liver treatment No. 5 - Herb for fatty liver disease

Milk thistle is one of the herbs that may boost the production of enzymes to assist the liver to remove toxins. According to researchers, milk thistle contains silymarin which is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

You can find a list of herbs for liver health and for preventing or treating liver problems by clicking on the link.

Back to Remedies for Various Conditions and Diseases

Back from Fatty Liver Treatment to Various Home Remedies