Fatty Liver

Original price was: ₹5,248.Current price is: ₹4,723.

AIC’s Fatty Liver Wellness bundle supports your liver and it’s natural detoxification to help address fatty liver and its root causes. This expertly curated combination of supplements is designed to reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, support liver detoxification, and promote optimal liver function.

Buy Now

Understanding Fatty Liver

Fatty liver can be defined as the accumulation of excess fat in the liver, specifically triglycerides, which can lead to a range of liver diseases if left untreated (Korish & Arafah, 2013). It may be divided into two main types: alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Alcoholic fatty liver disease –

In this condition, excess alcohol consumption leads to the buildup of fat in the liver. This replacement of liver cells by fat can lead to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and even liver failure.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) –

On the other hand, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver in the absence of significant alcohol consumption. This condition is closely linked to metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high blood sugar and weight gain), obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidaemia. (Korish & Arafah, 2013) (Ju et al., 2020) (Gusdon et al., 2014) NAFLD includes both simple fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Description

Fatty liver can be defined as the accumulation of excess fat in the liver, specifically triglycerides, which can lead to a range of liver diseases if left untreated (Korish & Arafah, 2013). It may be divided into two main types: alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Alcoholic fatty liver disease - In this condition, excess alcohol consumption leads to the buildup of fat in the liver. This replacement of liver cells by fat can lead to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and even liver failure. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) - On the other hand, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver in the absence of significant alcohol consumption. This condition is closely linked to metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high blood sugar and weight gain), obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidaemia. (Korish & Arafah, 2013) (Ju et al., 2020) (Gusdon et al., 2014) NAFLD includes both simple fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NAFL is the accumulation of liver fat without inflammation, while NASH involves inflammation and liver cell damage. (Korish & Arafah, 2013) (Ju et al., 2020) (Gusdon et al., 2014) (Diehl et al., 2003). NASH can lead to liver fibrosis which can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure. What we commonly refer to as fatty liver is NAFLD. So, let’s discuss it in detail.

Fat accumulation can result from either the liver's reduced capacity to process fat or an excessive influx of fatty substances into the liver. Essentially, there is a metabolic imbalance. Risk factors for fatty liver include obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, dyslipidaemia, high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, low physical activity etc. These risk factors along with an interplay of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors contribute to the development of NAFLD (Gusdon et al., 2014) (Ju et al., 2020) (Diehl et al., 2003). Diet rich in carbohydrates and sugars such as high fructose corn syrup found in sodas, juice, and processed foods can lead to excess triglyceride synthesis and thus fatty liver. It has been seen that an imbalance in gut bacteria can also play a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Since there is both anatomical and functional connection between the gut and liver through the blood stream (gut- liver axis), bacterial toxins directly reach the liver thus triggering inflammatory reactions. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and leaky gut can result in inflammatory responses that promote liver fat accumulation and inflammation (Ju et al., 2020). Therefore, treating fatty liver requires identifying the root cause and adopting a holistic approach to care.

Constipation can present with a variety of symptoms, including: • Infrequent bowel movements (less than 3 per week) • Straining during bowel movements • Difficult or incomplete evacuation • Hard, lumpy stools • Abdominal discomfort or pain • Bloating and a feeling of fullness

The majority of people with early-stage fatty liver disease do not have any symptoms. However, as the condition progresses, it may cause vague symptoms like fatigue, abdominal discomfort/dull pain in the upper right abdomen, or a feeling of fullness. In advanced stages, symptoms like jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), itching, oedema, muscle wasting, dark coloured urine or pale coloured stools and eventually liver failure may develop. Diagnosis involves blood tests (liver enzymes, lipid profile, ferritin levels which are usually elevated in 20-50% of patients), imaging techniques like ultrasound, CT, MRI or liver biopsy. Other tests like glucose testing, inflammatory markers, Vitamin D status, advanced stool testing, SIBO breath test etc. can help understand the underlying factors leading to fatty liver.

The cornerstone of managing fatty liver disease lies in lifestyle modifications, particularly through dietary changes and increased physical activity aimed at promoting weight loss. Engaging in exercises that target larger muscle groups, such as the legs, back, and chest, can help reduce lipotoxicity. Minimizing the consumption of ultra-processed foods and adopting a clean, nutrient-dense diet significantly aids in reversing fatty liver. A low-carbohydrate diet has demonstrated positive effects on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (Conlon et al., 2013). Short-term adherence to an anti-inflammatory or Mediterranean diet may also be beneficial. Additionally, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale are especially supportive in managing fatty liver.

• Vitamin E, an anti-oxidant, has shown to improve liver enzymes and histology in NASH (Korish & Arafah, 2013) (Diehl et al., 2003) • Vitamin D is important for liver function and supplementation improves NAFLD • Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to improve triglyceride levels and liver fat content. • Probiotics can help by improving gut health and reducing inflammation. • Certain other supplements like N-Acetylcysteine, milk thistle, lipoic acid, carnitine may also have beneficial effects in supporting the liver detoxification pathways. • Apart from supplements, herbal/natural remedies like green tea, turmeric, coffee, garlic, berberine etc. have also shown promise in managing fatty liver disease (Hendriks et al., 2023) (Conlon et al., 2013) (Ju et al., 2020) (Ciardullo et al., 2023).

Achieving an overall positive lifestyle change is crucial for optimal results in managing fatty liver disease. This includes stress management techniques such as breathing exercises and yoga, alongside other beneficial practices like intermittent fasting, correcting hormonal imbalances, resetting metabolism, and ensuring 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Additionally, incorporating hydrotherapy and sauna sessions can further support the body’s detoxification and recovery processes.

Reference

Ciardullo, S., Muraca, E., Vergani, M., Invernizzi, P., & Perseghin, G. (2023). Advancements in pharmacological treatment of NAFLD/MASLD: a focus on metabolic and liver-targeted interventions. In Gastroenterology report (Vol. 12). 

Conlon, B. A., Beasley, J. M., Aebersold, K., Jhangiani, S. S., & Wylie‐Rosett, J. (2013). Nutritional Management of Insulin Resistance in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) [Review of Nutritional Management of Insulin Resistance in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)]. Nutrients, 5(10), 4093. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. 

Diehl, A. M., Clarke, J., & Brancati, F. L. (2003). Insulin Resistance Syndrome and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. In Endocrine Practice (Vol. 9, p. 93). Elsevier BV.

Gusdon, A. M., Song, K., & Qu, S. (2014). Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Pathogenesis and Therapeutics from a Mitochondria-Centric Perspective [Review of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Pathogenesis and Therapeutics from a Mitochondria-Centric Perspective]. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2014, 1. Hindawi Publishing Corporation. 

Hendriks, D., Brouwers, J. F., Hamer, K. M., Geurts, M. H., Luciana, L., Massalini, S., López‐Iglesias, C., Peters, P. J., Colman, M. J. R., Lopes, S. M. C. de S., Artegiani, B., & Clevers, H. (2023). Engineered human hepatocyte organoids enable CRISPR-based target discovery and drug screening for steatosis. In Nature Biotechnology (Vol. 41, Issue 11, p. 1567). Nature Portfolio.

Ju, U.-I., Jeong, D.-W., Seo, J., Park, J. B., Park, J., Suh, K., Kim, J. B., & Chun, Y. (2020). Neddylation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c is a potential therapeutic target for nonalcoholic fatty liver treatment. In Cell Death and Disease (Vol. 11, Issue 4). Springer Nature.

Korish, A. A., & Arafah, M. (2013). Camel milk ameliorates steatohepatitis, insulin resistance and lipid peroxidation in experimental non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Vol. 13, Issue 1). BioMed Central. 

loader