Menu
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result

Home > Digestive > Conditions > Fatty Liver Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Home Remedies

Fatty Liver Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Home Remedies

Updated on May 2, 2023
8 min read
By Dr. Arif Maghribi Khan, MBBS, MD | Mental Health Counselor

In this article:

  • Types of Fatty Liver
  • Causes Behind Fatty Liver Disease
  • Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease
  • Treatment Modalities for Fatty Liver Disease
  • Home Remedies for Fatty Liver Diseases
  • Diagnosing Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Prevention and Reversal of Fatty Liver Disease
  • Risk Factors for Fatty Liver Disease
  • Questions to Ask Your Doctor
  • Most-Asked Questions About Fatty Liver Disease
  • Final Word

The liver is an essential organ required for normal body function. Hepatocytes, or the parenchymal cells of the liver, are responsible for most metabolic functions in the liver.

home remedies for fatty liver disease

The liver performs hundreds of different functions in the body. Its primary function involves cleansing the blood of toxins and excreting them in the bile. It also helps metabolize drugs into usable forms. (1)

Fatty liver disease is a condition that occurs when there is excessive accumulation of fat in the liver. Over time, it can affect liver function and lead to liver damage.

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a condition called liver cirrhosis, which also causes fat deposition in the liver but is different from fatty liver disease. (2)

Advertisements

Types of Fatty Liver

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition that affects nearly 25% of the world’s population. It causes a deposition of excessive fat in the liver.

NAFLD can lead to a more severe condition called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which causes inflammation, liver scarring, and liver damage. (3)(4)

NAFLD is usually found in people who are suffering from metabolic syndrome, obesity, hyperlipidemia, etc. (5)

Causes Behind Fatty Liver Disease

Regularly consuming high-calorie and fatty foods will cause a buildup of fat in the liver.

Fatty liver disease is also commonly found in people suffering from metabolic conditions such as diabetes, glycogen storage disorder, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. Alcohol abuse, malnutrition, etc., may also be a factor for some people.

Yet, at times, people may develop hyperlipidemia without having any of these conditions.

Advertisements

Certain medications are also known to contribute to fatty liver disease, for example, tamoxifen, and methotrexate. (6)

From a scientific point of view, fatty liver disease occurs when there is an increased amount of free fatty acids delivered to the liver or decreased synthesis of these fatty acids by the liver. (4)

Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease

signs and symptoms of fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease is known as a “silent disease” as a lot of people with the condition do not develop any symptoms.

However, in some cases, NAFLD can develop into NASH, which is a serious condition and can cause many symptoms such as:

  • Fatigue
  • Pain
  • Unexplained weight loss (2)

Treatment Modalities for Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a global issue affecting many people around the world nowadays. Treatment for NAFLD usually revolves around controlling any underlying metabolic disorders, reducing weight in overweight patients, and dietary modifications.

Your doctor may prescribe some medications depending on your condition. In some cases, bariatric surgery is advised for patients with morbid obesity. (7)

Advertisements

The main goal of treatment revolves around getting rid of the causes of liver disease. This includes regulating lipid levels and blood sugar levels. (8) Common medications proven to be effective include thiazolidinediones, metformin, metronidazole, and vitamin E.

A fairly new drug, known as Saroglitazar has been proven to be beneficial in treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. (9)

Home Remedies for Fatty Liver Diseases

Here are a few home remedies you can try for fatty liver disease.

1. Sip on a cup of green tea

Green tea helps you burn fat and optimizes metabolism in the body. It is filled with catechins and other anti-inflammatory compounds that help decrease inflammation in the liver. (10)

How to use:

You can drink a couple cups of green tea in a day for best results.

2. Consume amla

Amla is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants. (11) It also contains a phytonutrient called quercetin, which helps burn fat cells and improves digestion. It is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy for many inflammatory conditions.

How to use:

  1. Grind one amla with a little bit of water in a blender.
  2. Strain this juice and add some warm water to it.
  3. Drink this detox drink once a day.
green tea, amla, turmeric, and apple cider vinegar can help improve fatty liver disease

3. Give turmeric a try

Turmeric contains a natural anti-inflammatory compound called curcumin. Curcumin is an antioxidant that helps treat inflammation in the body and may also increase fat absorption to prevent fat accumulation. (12)

How to use:

  1. Add 1–2 a teaspoon of turmeric to a glass of warm water.
  2. Drink this mixture once a day for best results.

4. Consume apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a very effective natural remedy for fatty liver disease. It is a detoxing agent that can help flush out toxins and decrease fat accumulation in the liver. It also helps lower cholesterol levels, decrease inflammation, etc.

Advertisements

How to use:

  1. Add 1 tablespoon of ACV to a cup of warm water.
  2. Drink this mixture on an empty stomach every morning.

Diagnosing Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

NAFLD is usually diagnosed by a blood test called liver function test (LFT). It can also be spotted during an ultrasound scan of the abdominal area.

Your doctor may prescribe some more tests to rule out hepatitis infections and other liver disorders. CT scans, MRI scans, or a liver biopsy is also advised at times. (13)

“Ballooning” in the liver and inflammation are classic signs of NAFLD used for diagnosis. (14)

Most doctors may suspect an NAFLD diagnosis based on the following risk factors: obese or overweight body, type 2 diabetes mellitus, high lipid content in the blood, or an abnormal liver function test.

Advertisements

Prevention and Reversal of Fatty Liver Disease

There are no medical treatments to cure fatty liver disease per se, but here are a few tips you can use to manage it:

  • Lose weight – safely. Try to lose weight safely and steadily (no more than 1 kilogram per week).
  • If you have high cholesterol, try to reduce it with diet or medication.
  • Quit drinking alcohol
  • Get your blood glucose levels in control (if you are diabetic).
  • Exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet.

Risk Factors for Fatty Liver Disease

risk factors for fatty liver disease

You’re at an increased risk of NAFLD if you: (13)

  • Are overweight or obese
  • Are diabetic (type 2 diabetes)
  • Have an insulin resistance issue such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Have hyperlipidemia or high cholesterol
  • Are above 50 years of age
  • Smoke or drink

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Here are a few questions you can ask your doctor:

  • What is the best possible course of treatment?
  • What are some complications of the condition?
  • Do I need to make dietary modifications?
  • What exercises can I do?

Most-Asked Questions About Fatty Liver Disease

Is it possible to reverse fatty liver disease?

Yes. The liver has the potential to heal itself. Implement dietary modifications, reduce weight, and quit smoking or drinking to help your liver heal itself.

Does being fat increase the chances of fatty liver disease?   

Yes. Being overweight is a major risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Final Word

Fatty liver disease can be mild in some people but show severe symptoms in others. Symptoms of the condition may include constant nausea, abdominal pain, and indigestion.

It is important to remember that this condition is largely influenced by lifestyle and diet, and modifying them may help reverse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

References
  1. Trefts E, Gannon M, Wasserman DH. The liver. Curr Biol. 2017;27(21):R1147-R1151. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2017.09.019.
  2. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease | Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease. Published November 19, 2019.
  3. Zhang JZ, Cai JJ, Yu Y, She ZG, Li H. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: An Update on the Diagnosis. Gene Expr. 2019;19(3):187-198. doi:10.3727/105221619X15553433838609.
  4. Antunes C, Azadfard M, Hoilat GJ, et al. Fatty Liver. [Updated 2023 Jan 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441992/.
  5. Antunes C, Azadfard M, Hoilat GJ, Gupta M. Fatty Liver. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; January 1, 2023.
  6. Department of Health & Human Services. Liver – fatty liver disease. Better Health Channel. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/liver-fatty-liver-disease#causes-of-fatty-liver-disease. Published November 28, 2007.
  7. Ramanan SP, Mohamed MWF, Aung SS, Sange I, Hamid P. Treatment of Fatty Liver Disease: The Present and the Future. Cureus. 2021;13(1):e12713. Published 2021 Jan 15. doi:10.7759/cureus.12713.
  8. Ndakotsu A, Vivekanandan G. The Role of Thiazolidinediones in the Amelioration of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2022;14(5):e25380. Published 2022 May 27. doi:10.7759/cureus.25380.
  9. Padole P, Arora A, Sharma P, Chand P, Verma N, Kumar A. Saroglitazar for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Single Centre Experience in 91 Patients. J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2022;12(2):435-439. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2021.06.015.
  10. Pezeshki A, Safi S, Feizi A, Askari G, Karami F. The Effect of Green Tea Extract Supplementation on Liver Enzymes in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Int J Prev Med. 2016;7:28. Published 2016 Feb 1. doi:10.4103/2008-7802.173051.
  11. Kanthe PS, Patil BS, Bagali SC, Reddy RC, Aithala MR, Das KK. Protective effects of Ethanolic Extract of Emblica officinalis (amla) on Cardiovascular Pathophysiology of Rats, Fed with High Fat Diet. J Clin Diagn Res. 2017;11(9):CC05-CC09. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2017/28474.10628.
  12. White CM, Lee JY. The impact of turmeric or its curcumin extract on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review of clinical trials. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2019;17(1):1350. doi:10.18549/PharmPract.2019.1.1350.
  13. NHS choices. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/.
  14. Pouwels S, Sakran N, Graham Y, et al. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a review of pathophysiology, clinical management and effects of weight loss. BMC Endocr Disord. 2022;22(1):63. Published 2022 Mar 14. doi:10.1186/s12902-022-00980-1.
  • Was this article helpful?
  • YES, THANKS!NOT REALLY
Spread the Love❤️
Advertisements

You Might Also Like

Nutrition

Diet and Lifestyle Tips for Seasonal Affective Disorder

By Olivia DiPio, RDN, LD

Read more

Newsletter

Get our BEST updates delivered to your inbox:



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Categories

  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • Oral Care
  • Eye Care
  • Heart Health
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Women’s Health
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Respiratory Health
  • Web Stories

Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
eMediHealth

This site provides content for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of a medical concern or emergency, please consult your healthcare provider.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation.

Our Network: Little Extra

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Nutrition
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Yoga & Meditation
  • Women’s Health
  • Heart Health
  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Bones & Joints
  • Child Health
  • Digestive
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eye Care
  • Glands & Hormones
  • Health News
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mental Health
  • Nervous System
  • Oral Care
  • Pain Management
  • Respiratory Health
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Urological Health
  • Web Stories

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.