Fatty Liver: Hearken Your Liver Instincts.

Bienvenue to the sphere of Detoxification which is imitated by all and sundry, hats tip to all the constructors for this courteous approach to mankind by advancing the magical potions which is at the top-tier in the nutrition industry and drummed-up in the form of “body detoxification” drinks, which all the human tribe is following enthusiastically. Bravo!

But what if I vouchsafe, that there is one biggest detoxification organ inhabited in us which not only brings off the crucial functions or rather I should state that about 500 (< more than) tasks it makes out via other systems and organs. Besides that, this superlative organ also protects us from the beaucoup types of toxins which are either exposed from the environment or what we ingested — alcohol, smoking, processed foods, nutritional supplements, use of plastics, drugs, pesticides, house hold chemicals, toxic makeups etc… So ladies and gentlemen here am presenting the most chutzpah natural detoxifier organ of our body — Liver, Undoubtedly!

Cheers to our obnoxious behaviour towards, one of the most vital organ (perhaps second only to the lungs and heart) by misreckoning its bona fide nature apropos to us, but we keep on swamping its potential and burdensome it’s work which gradually slows down its pace and prevents it further from handling the load, thus burgeoned the toxins which built up and then surprise- Abruptly we came to know that we get acquire with some sort of liver disease (the most common one) “Fatty Liver” or “Fatty fever” which suddenly trap us in its way without causing much noticeable signs and symptoms and please don’t take it for granted because it’s an forewarning of something in Bollywood style “Abhi toh party shura hui hai” — I mean we are at borderline reach to other disease.

But thankfully liver possesses a remarkable ability to heal and rejuvenate itself (as about 25% of a liver can regenerate into a whole liver) which again makes it different from its buddies. You will be surprised to know that some cultures assess the liver as the seat of soul— like the ancient Greeks consider it as seat of life and intelligence (regenerative capacity of liver referred as “ immortal”). While Plato and Talmud, believes it as the seat of “ anger, darkest emotions and the Persian, Urdu, Hindi language propitates it with courage and strong feelings.

Ok not so much gyaan but lets spell out why so much “Sotela” behaviour with liver, by taking it Halke mein and thus by creating the hostile work environment for it. So let’s revamp its significance.

Pre-eminent Invoice Of Liver:

Liver is a wedged shaped organ, sits just under your rib cage on the right side of your abdomen. It is both the heaviest internal organ and the largest gland in human body— that’s what you see in Wikipedia.

It is an accessory digestive organ which plays an important role in metabolising all your food which contains carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, lipids. Liver carries out multifarious functions— production of clotting factors, produce cholesterol necessary for cellular health, produce immune factors to fight infections, metabolises medications and toxins, store & release glucose as needed for energy, stores a multitude supply of vitamins A,D,E,K etc.

Brief Highlights Of Fatty Liver:

Fatty liver is becoming increasingly common not in other countries but it’s prevalance can been seen well in India among adults and children’s too. It can fall out into simpler form to complex to severe set up— Simple (build up of excess fat in the liver), Steato Hepatitis ( Excess fat and inflammation), Fibrosis (Inflammation of liver causes scarring), Cirhosis (Scarring Of Liver has become widespread).

It happens when too much fat ( it is normal to have tiny amount of fat) builds up in the liver cells — more than 5% and the main problem with this disease is that it does not always cause noticeable signs and symptoms or if shows that too befuddled like :

• Fatigue & weakness, fullness in the right side or central of abdominal area, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, moderate to severe abdominal pain etc.
• Elevated levels of — triglycerides, insulin levels, LDL, cholesterol, liver enzymes (AST &ALT)…

So now it must be clear that it is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, other disorders characterised by insulin resistance or may be it muttering that buddy please be careful further for your future endeavours with health. (Time to consider my dear friends).

Fatty Liver Guise:

• NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER (NAFL): It is one of the most common form of fatty liver disease in adults and children. It occurs when fat builds up in the liver of people who didn’t drink alcohol. Its higher prevalence in those who are overweight or obese & those with diabetes or prediabetes.
• NON-ALCOHOLIC STEATO HEPATITIC (NASH): It occurs when NAFL gets promotion with excess fat and an inflamed liver that now damages our liver cells. If left untreated can cause scarring of liver and increases the risk of cirrhosis or liver cancer.
• ACUTE FATTY LIVER OF PREGNANCY (AFLP): It is one of the rarest form which actually appears in the third trimester of pregnancy and if lest untreated then can pose a problem for both mother and growing baby.
• ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (AFLD): Well this one is a return gift for those who drinks gallons of alcohol which damages the liver and leads the fat to build up.
• ALCOHOLIC STEATO HEPATITIS (ASH): It occurs when excess of fat is now accompanied with inflammation (those who drinks alcohol) and again if left untreated then may cause liver failure.

Causes:

• Excess intake of Alcohol.
• Obesity which actually lead to low grade inflammation and promote liver fat storage.
• If one carry too much body fat around waist (visceral fat).
• High intake of refined carbs, processed foods, sugary beverages, physical inactivity exercise etc.

Strategies To Overthrow It:

1. As I always say- Eat seasonal, fresh whole foods, fruits, nuts, green vegetables, bitter greens etc
2. Avoid all forms of packaged foods, processed foods, sugary drinks etc.
3. Bring on that homemade ghee into your kitchens as it is the easiest fat for liver to digest.
4. Use healthy fats (omega 3 fatty acid, monounsaturated fats) found in fish, walnuts, vegetable oil, flax seeds, nuts, sesame, olives etc .
5. Reduce the intake of animal product, especially red meat or processed ones.
6. Use amla, turmeric, garlic, ground coriander, cumin, fennel, fresh cilantro, lemon etc in your preparations.
7. Have Turmeric and lemon tea (natural detox tea).
8. Include selenium, Vitamin A,D,E, Iron , Potassium etc rich nutrients to your diet.
9. Keep your cholesterol and triglycerides check.
10. Have a consistent meal timings, waking cycle, sleeping cycle for a overall prosperous health.
11. Please be physically active which is an effective way to decrease liver fat with all above recommendations.