Fatty Liver – Homeopathic Treatment
Victor Tsan, CHP, is the founder of the Philadelphia Holistic Clinic. Victor Tsan began his medical career when he graduated with honors from the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Moldova, USSR in the spring of 1976. After this initial success, Victor pursued his first internship in Psychotherapy at 1st... more
Treatment for Fatty Liver
Treatment for fatty liver is challenging and not often successful. There are no medications specifically for fatty liver disease. Instead, doctors focus on helping you control factors that contribute to the condition. They also recommend making lifestyle changes that can significantly improve your health.
Lifestyle changes are one of the fatty liver treatments. It is important that you are eating a healthy well-balanced diet for Fatty liver and exercising regularly. Lifestyle changes treatment for fat liver includes:
- Avoiding alcohol.
- Losing weight.
- Taking medications to control diabetes, cholesterol, and triglycerides (fat in the blood).
- Taking vitamin E and thiazolidinedione (drugs used to treat diabetes such as Actos® and Avandia®) in specific instances.
- Reduce the fat intake in your fatty liver diet.
- Eliminate high sugar beverages.
- Increase fresh vegetables, especially greens.
- Avoid fried foods.
- Read the labels and whenever possible prepare your own meals so you know exactly what you are eating.
- Gradually increase your levels of physical exercise.
Reducing your fat intake is obviously healthy. In general, you should try to reduce your calorie intake by about 500 calories per day. This might seem like a lot, but in reality, this could be a few cups of coffee, a snack or two, and smaller portions of your meals. When you look at the picture in its entirety, you can see this is a small sacrifice for your overall health to flourish.
Prior to increasing your physical activity as part of your treatment for fatty liver you need to consult your doctor. In some situations, when an underlying medical condition does not allow you to safely increase your physical activity your doctor will need to determine a safe method for you to take advantage of.
It is possible your doctor will recommend physical therapy to assist you in increasing physical activity and assist you in burning calories to lose the weight needed to increase your health.
Never make any modifications to your lifestyle without the approval of your medical care provider. He or she understands your medical conditions and will know exactly what is safe for you and what could cause more harm to other conditions.
However, many individuals are opting to take advantage of other forms of treatment for fatty liver. Depending on the actual root cause of the disease.
One of the most common non-traditional treatments for Fatty liver is natural remedies. Using natural remedies to treat almost all ailments has grown in popularity over the past few years
What is fatty liver disease?
Fatty liver disease (steatosis) is a common condition caused by having too much fat build up in your liver. A healthy liver contains a small amount of fat. It becomes a problem when fat reaches 5% to 10% of your liver’s weight.
Fatty liver disease is a common condition caused by the storage of extra fat in the liver. Most people have no symptoms, and it doesn’t cause serious problems for them. In some cases, though, it can lead to liver damage. The good news is you can often prevent or even reverse fatty liver disease,
Fatty liver disease is a condition in which the liver accumulates too much fat. It can be dangerous if left untreated because it can lead to more serious diseases like liver fibrosis where there is protein accumulation in the liver or cirrhosis which there is permanent scarring of the liver. Fatty liver disease (especially non-alcohol fatty liver disease) is the most common chronic liver disease. It could be caused by excessive use of alcohol (in which case it’s called alcoholic fatty liver disease) or other factors (in which case it is called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is estimated to affect from about 80 million to 100 million people in America. It is most common among middle-aged people. It is well-known that alcohol can cause fatty liver disease. It is, in fact, one of the major causes of fatty liver disease. However, the causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are not well understood.
What is the function of the liver?
Your liver is an essential organ with multiple life-supporting functions. The liver:
- Produces bile, which helps with digestion.
- Makes proteins for the body.
- Stores iron.
- Converts nutrients into energy.
- Creates substances that help your blood clot (stick together to heal wounds).
- Helps you resist infections by making immune factors and removing bacteria and toxins (substances that can harm your body) from your blood.
Fatty liver causes
Some people get fatty liver disease without having any pre-existing conditions. Listed below are the most common causes of fatty liver causes:
- Being obese or overweight.
- Having Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance.
- Having metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels).
- Taking certain prescription medications, such as amiodarone (Cordarone®), diltiazem (Cardizem®), tamoxifen (Nolvadex®), or steroids.
Excessive alcohol consumption leads to fatty liver
Alcohol itself is relatively non-toxic. The problem is the metabolite of alcohol. Alcohol is metabolized by an enzyme that is less in the stomach and more in the liver called alcohol dehydrogenase. In layman’s terms, alcohol just refers to ethanol. Ethanol is metabolized by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase to a more toxic substance called acetaldehyde. When excess alcohol is consumed, the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase becomes saturated and can no longer handle the metabolism of alcohol, so another enzyme system takes over. The problem is, the other enzyme system still produces the same harmful metabolite – acetaldehyde.
This is more like a paradox since metabolism is meant to make substances less harmful, but in this case, alcohol is converted to a more harmful substance. Acetaldehyde does a lot of direct damage to the liver cells and can cause irreversible scars. Acetaldehyde not only damages the liver cells but also damages a lot of proteins in the liver by denaturing them. The liver is the organ with one of the most diverse protein contents in the body. It has thousands of different enzymes all doing different work and diverse protein molecules. Acetaldehyde can directly damage these protein molecules.
Alcohol itself has the ability to damage protein molecules. In order to have an idea of what acetaldehyde does in the liver, you can try an experiment. The liver has a lot of water-soluble protein molecules which include enzymes and so on. Just like the liquid content of an egg. For the experiment, get an alcoholic drink (the higher the amount of alcohol the better) like vodka or get 90% ethanol if you can. Pour it into a cup. Crack the egg and drop the content into the alcohol. Leave it for an hour. You would notice that the alcohol has “cooked” the egg. This is what acetaldehyde does to the liver. It cooks (a more appropriate term is “denatures”) the important proteins in the liver like enzymes. When the liver proteins are “cooked” the liver cannot detoxify the body effectively.
The liver is responsible for producing a lot of proteins that help in the metabolism of fats and cholesterol, blood clotting, drug metabolism, and a host of other functions. The liver uses a lot of enzymes to reduce alcohol to acetaldehyde. Excess alcohol acts as an oxidant and causes oxidative stress on the liver. The result is a fatty liver that can degenerate over time to alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. However, in the case of non-alcoholic fatty liver, the cause is unknown though similar events happen. However, a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been linked to risk factors like diabetes (type 2), obesity, and a high level of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). A major factor that is thought to cause non-alcohol fatty liver disease is insulin resistance.
Why is FLD bad?
In most cases, fatty liver disease doesn’t cause any serious problems or prevent your liver from functioning normally. But for 7% to 30% of people with the condition, the fatty liver disease gets worse over time. It progresses through three stages:
- Your liver becomes inflamed (swollen), which damages its tissue. This stage is called steatohepatitis.
- Scar tissue forms where your liver is damaged. This process is called fibrosis.
- Extensive scar tissue replaces healthy tissue. At this point, you have cirrhosis of the liver.
Forms of fatty liver disease
There are two main forms of fatty liver disease:
Alcoholic liver disease
Alcoholic fatty liver is the accumulation of fat in the liver as a result of heavy drinking. (Moderate drinking is defined as one drink a day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.) About 5% of people in the U.S. have this form of liver disease.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease occurs in people who aren’t heavy drinkers. The condition affects one in three adults and one in 10 children in the United States. Researchers haven’t found the exact cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Several factors, such as obesity and diabetes, can increase your risk.
Fatty liver symptoms
People with fatty liver disease often have no fatty liver symptoms until the disease progresses to cirrhosis of the liver. Possible fatty liver symptoms are:
- Abdominal pain or a feeling of fullness in the upper right side of the abdomen (belly).
- Nausea, loss of appetite, or weight loss.
- Yellowish skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).
- Swollen abdomen and legs (edema).
- Extreme tiredness or mental confusion.
- Weakness.
Natural treatment for fatty liver disease
Natural treatment for fatty liver helps cleanse the liver, regenerate damaged liver cells and protect the liver from further damage.
The use of natural remedies for fatty liver becomes more and more popular and many scientific studies already proved the effectiveness of Chinese herbs for fatty liver, homeopathic remedies for fatty liver, and acupuncture for fatty liver.
Listed below are the most common approaches to natural treatment for fatty liver disease
Fatty liver disease is usually reversible. In treating alcoholic liver disease, it would make sense to avoid anything that can cause it. Follow the following rules:
- If you are taking too much alcohol, you have to stop.
- If you are addicted to alcohol, it would be a good time to go for rehab and treatment.
- If you have diabetes or obesity, you may want to control them by good diet and exercise. There are also naturopathic and homeopathic therapies that can help.
First, you may want to have an adequate intake of vitamin B. Niacin/nicotinic acid is a form of vitamin B3 which helps in improving cholesterol levels. Niacin stimulates the production of HDL and reduces LDL and triglycerides. This helps the liver to reduce the amount of fat it produces.
Another well-known herb that helps the liver is Milk thistle. Milk thistle contains silymarin and silybin which are very great antioxidants. Antioxidants generally are very good in treating fatty liver because they take a lot of pressure off the liver enzymes by reducing oxidative stress caused by substances like alcohol and mopping up free radicals. Silymarin and Silybin also protect the liver cells directly. Other antioxidants used are resveratrol found in red grapes and antioxidants in green tea.
Green tea itself which is a Camellia sinensis contain some chemicals called polyphenols which have been well-known by many studies to protect the liver and prevent fatty liver disease. Other good herbs are a whole bulb of garlic taken every day (though it may leave a lasting impression in your breath and body) Chelidonium (which a homeopathic expert says is the best for fatty liver generally), Lycopodium, Calcarea carb, and wolfberry. The plant Nux vomica is also very good for fatty liver disease caused by alcohol intake and is currently touted as the best herbal remedy for alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Diet for fatty liver – an essential component of any natural treatment for fatty liver
Fatty liver disease or fatty liver disease, as the name suggests, means that you have a lot of fat in your liver. There are two main types of fatty liver disease, namely alcohol-induced fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, also called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Fatty liver disease damages the liver and prevents it from performing normal liver functions. The production of bile (digestive juice) is hampered, due to which toxins continue to build up in the liver, thereby aggravating liver damage. Typically, fatty liver disease is asymptomatic in the early stages. The condition is diagnosed primarily during routine investigations or during an ultrasound to diagnose another condition.
Since the liver is already functionally slowed down, it is necessary to have foods that are light on the intestine and easy to digest. Include the following foods that will help detoxify the liver and further normalize liver enzymes, thus leading to a possibility of condition reversal, particularly in grade 1 and 2 fatty liver.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
Specifically, include brightly colored fruits and vegetables in your diet. Fruits and vegetables such as guava, amla, sweet lime, oranges, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli, peppers, spinach, etc. are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps treat many chronic diseases. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help treat various degrees of fatty liver. It acts as a mediator in iron absorption, thus reducing the burden on the liver. Therefore, adequate vitamin C intake can greatly help heal the liver.
Have fiber foods
Fiber is an indispensable component of the digestive process, which also helps filter waste products from the liver. Eat legumes, whole grains, and vegetables like carrots, radishes, which are high in fiber. It is beneficial in managing grade 1 fatty liver disease.
Go gluten-free
Opt for millet such as Jowar, Bajra, Ragi (Nachni), and buckwheat, which are easily absorbed and less digestible compared to wheat and maida.
Limit your fat intake
Fats are an essential part of a balanced diet, but eating foods with saturated fats will only fuel the fire. Choose foods that contain unsaturated fats, including corn, soybeans, walnuts, and flax seeds. Fat is also an inevitable part of cooking. Sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, and olive oil serve the purpose and thus support your weak liver. Avoid fried foods. Go for baked foods.
Avoid stimulants
Prefer green tea and black tea instead of milk tea and coffee. This creates an alkaline atmosphere in the digestive system that supports the healing process. These foods are powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals and protect the liver from cell damage. Avoid stimulants like alcohol, which is the main cause of liver disease. Carbonated drinks should also be avoided.
Consume plenty of fluids
Consuming adequate amounts of water, buttermilk, coconut water, and soups help excrete unwanted fats from the liver, thereby boosting normal liver function.
Go vegetarian
Consumption of red meat, eggs, and even chicken may further damage your liver. While the meat is high in saturated fat it hinders the normal functionality of liver cells. It is to avoid the consumption of seafood as it could be polluted with heavy metals and other chemicals.
Regular consumption of healthy foods will speed up the healing process and help to achieve the best results from the treatment for fatty liver disease. It goes without saying that an active lifestyle should be supplemented with regular exercise that will improve blood circulation and stimulate the work of the liver.
So, if you ever have fatty liver disease, make sure you have these foods in your regular diet to help treat the condition and enjoy good health.
Chinese herbs for fatty liver – an effective home-based natural treatment for fatty liver
Chinese herbs for fatty liver is a fatty liver natural treatment that is effective in the treatment of fatty liver disease.
Chinese herbs for fatty liver and their extracts have been identified as a novel source of potential therapeutic agents in the prevention and treatment of fatty liver disease. The beneficial effects of these herbal medicines mean that they can be classified as novel candidates for the treatment and prevention of both alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Listed below are the most effective Chinese herbs for fatty liver
- This natural remedy for fatty liver is used as a liver tonic in the common herbal remedies for fatty liver. It is particularly effective in reducing the inflammation of the liver which is a common symptom of liver-related diseases. The herb also helps to enhance the bile flow and provides a good source of vitamins and minerals for the body which in turn protects the liver and boosts the immune system of the body.
- Licorice root is a Chinese herb for fatty liver that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and liver-protective effects in scientific studies. The main active component in licorice root is the saponin compound glycyrrhizin, which is commonly used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine to treat many ailments, including liver disease.
- Danshen is a substance that’s commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is the dried roots of the herb Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Human and animal studies have shown that Danshen has positive effects on liver health.
- Astragalus is an edible herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is loaded with medicinal compounds, including saponins, isoflavonoids, and polysaccharides, which have powerful therapeutic properties. It’s generally considered safe and hasn’t been associated with liver injury.
Acupuncture for fatty liver – ancient Chinese natural treatment for fatty liver
Acupuncture for fatty liver is a form of natural fatty liver treatment that is widely used in the clinical treatment of GI conditions.
A clinical study has demonstrated that acupuncture for fatty liver can effectively treat NAFLD and present a better therapeutic effect on hepatic fat status, glycolipid metabolism, and insulin resistance.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a common chronic liver illness that represents an important public health challenge nowadays. NAFLD is a medical condition that causes an accumulation of excess fat in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. Although genetic factors are important risk factors that may cause the development of NAFLD, detrimental lifestyle, prolonged sedentary periods or limited physical activity have major metabolic implications. NAFLD if not properly addressed can lead to the development of hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer.
There is currently no effective treatment available in NAFLD therapy. Thus, it is important to seek new therapies for the treatment of NAFLD. Acupuncture has been used to treat NAFLD by regulating lipid metabolism, participating in signaling pathways related to lipid metabolism, improving insulin resistance, and increasing antioxidant levels in liver tissue.
Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment for improving the quality of life in various medical conditions, including hepatitis. Acupuncture combined with lifestyle intervention has been shown to be effective in treating obesity, metabolic syndrome related to weight, lipid regulation, glucose levels, and various markers of inflammation. The effect of acupuncture on NAFLD has yet to be investigated.
Assy Nimer, a scientist from Ziv Hospital suggests that acupuncture combined with lifestyle intervention can be an effective treatment for NAFLD.
Homeopathic remedies for fatty liver – the #1 natural treatment for fatty liver
The liver is a vital organ within the body, which functions as a filter for the blood that comes from the digestive system. One of the conditions that afflict this organ is the fatty liver, which occurs due to the accumulation of triglycerides within it. There could be multiple reasons behind this, such as alcoholism, obesity, pregnancy, hepatitis, among many others.
The homeopathic medicine for fatty liver can reverse the condition of the fatty liver and bring it back to normal. The homeopathic medicines are made from natural substances and administered to patients after studying the unique symptoms of each one of them. The homeopathic remedies for fatty liver are completely harmless and have no side effects.
Homeopathic remedies for fatty liver are one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine for the treatment of fatty liver. Homeopathic remedies for fatty liver are very proficient in managing all the symptoms of fatty liver disease and furthermore play a vital role in preventing relapse of the condition. Some of the most common homeopathic medicines for fatty liver are:
This homeopathic medicine for fatty liver is often used to treat a fatty liver accompanied by right upper abdominal pain. In such cases, the liver may be enlarged and the patient also usually suffers from constipation or experience nausea and vomiting.
Some of the symptoms where Chelidonium may work are as follows:
- Pain in the upper right abdomen.
- Enlargement of the liver.
- Constipation.
- Jaundice along with fatty liver.
- Feeling excessively weak.
- Craving for hot drinks and hot foods.
This homeopathic medication is very effective in treating fatty liver disease, especially if you suffer from gastric issues and acidity. You may have symptoms like bloating of the stomach, burning of the esophagus when belching or burping, and pain in the upper right abdomen.
This is used to treat cases of fatty acid which triggers regurgitation accompanied by sour belching. In some cases, the patient may also experience pain in the liver and excessive flatulence. Vomiting may also occur along with weakness while passing stool.
Obese patients suffering from this condition can be treated with Calcarea carbonica. These people often have a distended abdomen, are lactose intolerant, and suffer from chronic constipation. They are also overly sensitive to cold air and sweat excessively from the head.
Homeopathic remedy for the fatty liver with pain in the abdomen after eating. Nux vomica is great for any abdominal problem including fatty liver caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. These patients often suffer from abdominal pain a few hours after eating with sour or bitter-tasting belches. They may constantly feel the urge to pass stool but are unable to do so.
Though homeopathic remedies have negligible side effects when taken in low dosages, they should never be self-prescribed. If you suffer from a fatty liver, consult a homeopathic doctor immediately who can diagnose it properly and treat you accordingly.
Natural treatment for fatty liver in Philadelphia
At the Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic, Dr. Victor Tsan has extensive experience in the natural treatment of internal diseases including different GI disorders and fatty liver. We use only the best brands of homeopathic medicines (Boiron, Unda, Seroyal). Homeopathic medicines are safe and cause no side effects and no allergic reactions.
If you are suffering from fatty liver and prefer alternative treatment contact Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic to book an appointment with Dr. Tsan and discuss how homeopathic remedies may help you.