Natural remedies for tackling fatty liver disease

Fatty liver, also known as hepatic steatosis, is a term describing the buildup of fat in your liver. It's normal to have small amounts of fat in your liver, but too much is worrisome. But, according to a new study, 27 molecules have been discovered to help treat fatty liver disease and obesity.

You can opt for green tea to deal with your fatty liver. © Shutterstock

Do you know that your liver is the second largest organ in the body? It is responsible for carrying out various functions like processing whatever we eat and drink, and filter harmful substances which are present in your blood. So, if you are diagnosed with a fatty liver then it can lead to long-term liver damage. Furthermore, there are two types of fatty liver: nonalcoholic and alcoholic. You may suffer from Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) when your liver finds it difficult to break down fats, which leads a buildup in the liver tissue. The causes can be obesity, high cholesterol and many other reasons. Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) can be more serious than a fatty liver. It means you have inflammation in your liver. Hence, dealing with it immediately is the need of the hour.

And now, you will be happy to know that according to a study published in the Scientific Reports journal, the Israeli researchers have found 27 new molecules, which may be helpful to manage the fatty liver disease, obesity and heal wounds. These molecules, which are undergoing pharmaceutical evaluations to deal with obesity and fatty liver disease, tend to activate a special protein known as PPAR-delta (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta) which may help increase physical endurance and trim your waistlines by enabling muscle cells to grill more fat. Owing to this, there is a high probability to find treatments for several common diseases as well. So, in the near future, there may be a possible cure for fatty liver disease. Surely, this can be helpful for people with fatty liver. Here, we also brief you about the natural treatment for fatty liver disease.

You can opt for lemon

"Your liver will be able to produce an enzyme known as glutathione, as it is abundant in vitamin C and antioxidants. This enzyme can help neutralize the toxins present in your liver and can detoxify your body," says Ankita Ghag, Clinical Dietician, InBody India. What you can do? In a glass of water, squeeze a lemon and drink it twice or thrice a day for some days. This will help you to grill your fat which is accumulated in your liver.

You can opt for green tea

"Green tea is jam-packed with high-density catechins which can enhance the functioning of your liver," explains Ghag. Furthermore, it can help prevent fat accumulation in people suffering from the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This is so because it blocks the amount of fat which are stored in your liver. Drink green tea regularly to keep the fatty liver disease at bay. But, you must drink it in limited quantities as green tea is also loaded with caffeine and can cause a headache, nervousness, vomiting and diarrhoea.

You can opt for turmeric

The antioxidant properties of turmeric can help you deal with the fatty liver disease. Turmeric tends to enhance your body's ability to digest fats and also prevents fat accumulation in the liver. Just add some turmeric to a glass of water and drink it.

You can opt for apple cider vinegar

"Apple cider vinegar is loaded with detoxification properties which are effective in cleansing your body. It can help eliminate toxins from your liver to help it function properly. It also helps reduce fat which is accumulated in your liver and induces weight loss. Not only this, but it can also help you tackle inflammation," highlights Ghag. So, just add apple cider vinegar to the glass of warm water and drink it before the meals.

You should exercise regularly

You may suffer from fatty liver disease if you are physically inactive. So, just opt for any exercise of your choice and don't give up on it. You can opt for walking, jogging, swimming, yoga and many other exercises to help you stay fit and keep your weight under control. If you are finding it difficult to exercise then you can also begin with low-impact exercises and then move on to the high-impact workouts which should strictly be done under the guidance of your fitness trainer. Regular exercise can help you boost your and improve the functioning of your liver.

You should avoid fried and salted foods

Fried foods are high in fats and calories and can give a tough time to your liver. According to a study published in the Journal ofAgricultural and Food Chemistry, too much sodium can damage the liver. Too much sodium can cause a number of changes in the liver higher rates of cell death and lower rates of cell division - all of which can lead to liver fibrosis ( the formation of an abnormally large amount of scar tissue in your liver). Various studies also suggest that starchy carbohydrates which are quickly digested are known to contribute to weight gain but doctors also believe they damage the liver. So, cut down on potatoes, white bread, white rice, refined cereals and processed sugar. Not only this, you must limit your alcohol consumption as too much alcohol can lead to fatty liver, liver failure and death and other liver diseases. This is so because the liver helps in breaking down most of the alcohol you drink so that it can be flushed out from your body. So, breaking down alcohol creates substances that are even more harmful than alcohol. Furthermore, these substances may tend to damage your liver cells and lead to serious liver issues.