Non-alcoholic fatty liver is seen so commonly among people that even the medical community is calling it “normal” these days! Every other person, especially men in their 30’s or women with pcod or hypothyroidism has a fatty liver nowadays.
Well it is quiet commom BUT NOT “normal” at all. In fact it’s the precursor stage of a number of lifestyle disorders namely PCOD, diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia ( high cholesterol), metabolic syndrome, sexual dysfunction, kidney & gall stones and more…
Usually it comes to notice when one does a ultrasound/ sonography of abdomen for kidney stones, abdominal pain or irregular menses may be.
So WHY is liver so important & what can happens if its ” fatty”?
Liver is like a factory. Its the place where all our hormones, enzymes, various proteins are made by the help of food we eat & absorb.
Various vitamins are prepared and metabolized in the liver.
“Fatty liver” means a slow or poor functioning liver which leads to POOR DIGESTION, POOR METABOLISM.
LIVER also removes toxins from the body and produces many factors involved in our immune system and blood clotting. This makes it one of the important organs in this pandemic and even otherwise.
Symptoms range from skin & fat deposit in body to serious issues like diabetes.
Here is a comprehensive list-
1. Abdominal obesity ( Large tummy )
2. Skin pigmentation ( commonly seen around upper cheek & temple areas in men, cheeks & nose in women)
3. Diabetes and Pre Diabetes
4. PCOD/ PCOS
5. Hypothyroidism
6. Stones in kidney & gall bladder
7. Increased Uric acid & Gout
8. Sexual dysfunction
9. Hair loss & premature greying
10. Lethargy & depression
11. Vitamin deficiency
12. Poor digestion & chronic gastritis, abdominal discomfort & flatulence.
How can we prevent and reverse it?
Fatty liver at grade I , requires only lifestyle and diet changes.
If it’s accompanied by another illness, medications are suggested.
Grade II and III , are usually accompanied with changes in LIVER FUNCTION TESTS ( lab tests related to liver).
These conditions need medications, diet changes ,regular exercise and stress management .
Homeopathy provides safest & more effective treatment for liver dysfunction
ROLE OF STRESS & SLEEP
Stress at physical or mental , any levels leads to excess production of cortisol, which in turn leads to more sugar in blood
This sugar is converted to complex sugar, later fatty acids and is stored as fat in the liver causing fatty liver .
People working in night shifts, long hours , irregular work timings are more at risk here.
Mental stress, shock , grief also affects blood sugar levels & may cause such metabolic disturbances and lead to fatty liver.
ROLE OF DIET
A diet rich in carbs ( carbohydrates) and trans fats is certainly linked to the issue.
Irregular eating habits and sleep habits does the same to body.
Sedentary habits, lack of physical activity also leads to deposit of fat in liver and other organs too like blood vessels, around heart, pancreas, rarely on ovaries ( seen in PCOS ) too.
What to avoid & what to have if you have a fatty liver ? What can you do to correct it?
1. It is strongly adviced to have LESS SIMPLE CARBS your diet.
Simple carbs include- rice, poha, chivda, murmura, maida, noodles, biscuits, pasta, too may chapatis /roti of any flour, milk .
2. Cut down REFINED OILS COMPLETELY. This includes fried snacks like sev, bhujia, mathri etc.
3. Avoid foods like Besan ( chickpea flour), too much of cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, meat of larger animals .
4. Eat on time, have more or less fixed schedule.
5. Eating every 2-3 hours NOT advised, because people tend to snack more in that case.
Intermittent fasting ( dixit diet ) has been found to be useful for most people. ( Not recommended in cases of GASTRITIS). IF also helps in weight loss.
6. Good fats & proteins , organic fruits & vegetables, millets, nuts are suggested. Cholesterol is required by the liver to make BILE, which is used by our gut to digest food . Cholesterol & Proteins are the raw material needed to make various hormones in our body, hence their intake is must.
6. Strength training work outs are absolutely effective in fatty liver & fat loss in general
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Some of the frequently indicated remedies for fatty liver are LYCOPODIUM, CALCAREA CARB, SULPHUR, PHOSPHORUS, CARDUUS M, CHELIDONIUM, PODOPHYLLUM, NUX VOMICA etc.
They are prescribed as per symptoms & case history , by an expert homeopathic doctor only.
Thanks !