Although there is no established way to treat fatty liver medically, losing weight and lowering your levels of blood fats can help you in managing the condition. Various researches are being done to find a home remedy for NAFLD.
The best remedy which is useful in curing NAFLD is losing excess weight. The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)’s 2017 guide identifies weight loss as a critical part of improving NAFLD progression and symptoms. Losing weight can reduce the fat buildup in the liver and improve other symptoms of NAFLD, such as inflammation, fibrosis, and scarring.
The Mediterranean diet is another useful way. Research from the Journal of Hepatology suggests that the Mediterranean diet may help to reduce liver fat, even without weight loss. It also helps conditions commonly associated with NAFLD, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. It involves a variety of plant-based foods and healthy fats.
Other foods which are known to be helpful against NAFLD are Omega-3 supplements, Indian gooseberry or amla, Green tea (as it prevents fat accumulation). Similarly, coffee offers a number of protective benefits for the liver. It stimulates the production of liver enzymes believed to fight inflammation. The research which studied this also reported that among people with NAFLD, regular coffee consumption reduces overall liver damage. According to research from 2019, even moderate consumption of alcohol can lead to disease progression in individuals with NAFLD. Therefore, it must be avoided. Another research by the Journal of Hepatology recommends physical activity. Inactivity can contribute to other conditions associated with NAFLD, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
Research states that foods with fructose and sucrose can contribute to fat buildup in the liver over time. Therefore, artificial sugars must be avoided. Store-bought and commercially processed foods such as baked goods, candy, ice cream, etc. usually contain added sugars.
According to another research, NAFLD can make it harder for your body to manage cholesterol on its own. This can worsen NAFLD and increase your risk of heart disease. Therefore, cholesterol must be kept under control.
A 2018 review of studies identified certain herbs, supplements, and spices that have been used as alternative treatments for NAFLD. Compounds shown to have positive effects on liver health including turmeric, milk thistle, resveratrol, and green tea. These can have side effects and aren’t the approved medical treatments yet.
It’s important to consult your doctor before taking any herb or supplement for NAFLD.
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