As the name suggests, fatty liver disease is basically a term used for liver that has gone fat. Whereas a normal amount of fat build-up is not so much a matter of concern, but when it goes beyond normal, i.e., more than about 10% of the organ’s own weight, there might be a problem. This is because, in this case, our liver is not able to process the fat as fast as it should, while the rate of fat build-up by the body increases manifold. This excess fat tends to get stored in the liver cells over a period of time, which eventually leads to what is known as a fatty liver.
What Is Liver?
Liver happens to be the second largest organ in the human body, and has rather prominent role to play in the process of metabolism. Its functions primarily involve processing all that we eat, and helping us to get rid of harmful substances in our body. Yet owing to the enormous, 24 X 7 tasks that it performs, the liver may sometimes be prone to certain problems and physical maladies.
What Exactly Is Fatty Liver Disease?
Fatty liver disease is the condition wherein the liver becomes fatty and is usually accompanied by slight inflammation and scarring of the liver, thus making it prone to damage. This ailing condition usually surfaces when we end up consuming more fat or calories than our body is capable of processing.
What Causes Fatty Liver Disease?
It has been observed that one of the prominent causes behind this condition could be alcohol abuse. Our liver comes equipped with the ability to break down the alcohol as far as possible. However, heavy drinking and addiction to alcohol over a period of time tends to wreak havoc on the liver and reduces its ability to perform quite as effectively. Besides, the process itself tends to produce a whole lot of harmful substances which are bad for our overall health, and also weaken the natural defence mechanism of our body.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
However, alcohol alone may not be the only culprit. Some other reasons may also add to or be solely responsible for the onset of a liver disease and that is where non-alcoholic fatty liver disease comes in. It owes its occurrence to a variety of lifestyle factors such as indulging in a diet that is high on fats / saturated fatty acids and / or high sugar content which also affects the health of our liver, apart from some more general causes such as obesity, type II diabetes, hyperlipidemia, malnutrition, high cholesterol levels, metabolic syndrome, etc.
Is Fatty Liver Bad?
Please note that NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) is increasingly becoming one of the most dreaded diseases all over the world, making even women and children prone to its symptoms. The symptoms of a fatty liver disease, however, are few and not so apparent. These might include a poor appetite, weight loss, slight fatigue and/or a certain discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen. If, however, ignored for long, this condition may also result in a complete organ failure. Therefore, an absolute abstinence of alcohol along with engaging in an effective weight loss program is apparently the most promising natural treatments for fatty liver disease.
Diet And Lifestyle Tips For Fatty Liver Disease
For relieving fatty liver disease, however, making some healthy lifestyle choices such as the following some natural healthcare plans may go a long way in reducing the associated risks. Here are few suggestions..
- Eating A Healthy Diet
- Exercising Regularly
- Controlling The Blood Sugar And Cholesterol Levels
- Avoiding Processed Foods And Those Containing High Calories
- Saying No To Alcohol And Smoking
Berberine – Natural Herb For Fatty Liver Disease
On the other hand, there are a few natural curative herbs as well, and ‘Berberine’ manages to top the list. This magical medicinal herb owes its popularity to a number of health benefits it has to offer, especially in the area of metabolism. Once it gets absorbed into our bloodstream, Berberine activates AMP-activated protein kinase, a powerful enzyme inside the cells which in turn performs a number of necessary functions.
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About the Author:
Dr Sonica Krishan is Author and Speaker in the areas of Healthy and Joyous Living through Ayurveda, Meditation, Yoga and other Contemplative practices. She is a leading Ayurveda Professional in India. She is also Health Writer, Columnist, Editor, Ayurveda Consultant and Holistic Healing Coach. Dr Sonica is open for National as well as International Collaborations with interested people / institutions in fields of Ayurveda, Meditation and Yoga.
Dr Sonica Krishan’s Books are available at Amazon
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