Fatty Liver

Fatty liver

Aka Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) or Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

It's a very common health issue so if you have been told you have or may have fatty liver, you are not alone!  

The following issues make fatty liver more likely to develop: 

  • Obesity

  • Diabetes

  • Insulin resistance

  • High cholesterol

  • Metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, belly fat)

  • Being female

  • Excessive fructose consumption (remember that fruit contains mostly fructose rather than glucose, but don't be afraid of eating fruit.  Excessive fructose usually comes from high fructose corn syrup - so read those labels - it's hidden in everything!) 

    • Fructose does not suppress hunger and leads to overconsumption of food

      • If you'd like to really dive in to this fructose issue, here is an excellent video on the effects of fructose on the liver.
        http://youtu.be/dBnniua6-oM
         

Certain medications can make fatty liver develop more readily:

  • Calcium channel blockers

  • Tamoxifen

  • Corticosteroids

  • Synthetic estrogens

  • Aspirin

  • Methotrexate

  • Valproic acid

  • AZT

  • Amiodarone


How to treat: 

  • Weight loss, especially abdominal fat **Don’t lose more than 2 lbs per week because this will release toxins too quickly, leading to additional inflammation

  • Reduce blood sugar levels 

  • Reduce cholesterol levels

  • Normalize insulin levels

  • Reduce inflammation

*How to do all of the above?  Start with diet.  More veggies is always the answer :)

Diet

  • Higher protein

  • High fresh vegetables

  • Gluten free diet if indicated

  • Lower glycemic index

  • Lower carbohydrate

  • Initial avoidance and later possible light use of alcohol


Liver protectant herbs:

  • Silymarin (milk thistle)

  • Artichoke

  • Tumeric


Other liver lovers: 

  • Licorice root

  • Green tea

  • Betaine

  • NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine) 

  • Alpha-lipoic acid

  • Vitamin E

  • B complex 

  • Magnesium 

And: 

  • Exercise

  • Balance cortisol/DHEA levels 

  • Consider MTHFR genetic SNP testing


If you feel overwhelmed when reading all of these treatment options, not to worry.

The point is I want you to understand that there are a myriad of ways to heal oneself - without harmful drugs or drastic measures.  Start with simple diet changes first, before reaching for any supplements!  Eating more vegetables, rather than worrying about "what not to eat" is much easier on the brain.

-Dr. Laura Neville

Laura Nevillefatty Liver, NASH, NAFLD, Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Natural, Cholesterol, Fructose, Milk Thistle, Artichoke