Ayurvedic Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Abstract

The liver is the engine of the body. It plays a major role in Digestion, maintenance of metabolic functions and detoxification of various exogenous and endogenous encounters /articles like antibiotics, infections, medication, chronic alcoholism and much more. Numerous homeostatic mechanisms get affected if the liver gets diseased. As per Ayurveda, the liver is the site of Ranjhak pitta. It receives the Rasa dhatu (clear plasma) and converts it into Rakta dhatu (blood). In order to manage it naturally, you need to adopt a more conventional way of healing.

Introduction

Drinking excessive alcohol causes the deposition of fat in the liver. This leads to scarring of liver tissue, known as cirrhosis. With the increase in the scarring of the liver tissue, liver functions decrease. But fatty tissue also builds up even if one doesn’t drink or drinks a little alcohol. This is known as Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This can also lead to cirrhosis.

Causes of NAFLD

The exact cause of this condition is not known. Still, numerous health problems appear to promote the deposition of fat in the liver. For a few body types, this condition can take a toxic turn and lead to liver inflammation further causing NAFLD. Those conditions are:-

• Overweight or obesity
• Insulin resistance, in which body cells don’t take up sugar in response to the hormone insulin
• High blood sugar
• High levels of fats in the blood especially Triglycerides
• High cholesterol
• PCOD
• Hypothyroidism
• Hypopituitarism

Stages of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

There are four stages to the development of NAFLD. Those are as follows:-

1. Simple Fatty Liver (Steatosis) – deposition of fat in the liver cells which is harmless in the beginning.
2. Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) – a severe form of NAFLD, at this stage the liver gets inflamed.
3. Fibrosis – constant inflammation leads to scarring of liver tissue.
4. Cirrhosis – The most severe stage. It occurs after years of inflammation. This damage is permanent and leads to liver failure and liver cancer in later stages.

Symptoms of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Its symptoms usually come in the advanced stage of liver fibrosis.

1. Fatigue
2. Pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen
3. Abdominal swelling
4. Enlarged spleen
5. Jaundice
6. Weakness
7. Weight loss without any specific reason
8. Swelling in lower limb

Complications of NAFLD

There are some complications that may occur-

1. Esophageal Varices
2. Hepatic encephalopathy
3. Ascites
4. Liver cancer
5. Liver failure

Diagnosis of NAFLD

Various clinical manifestations which can confirm the disorder includes-

1. Liver Function Test (LFT)
2. Ultrasound scan
3. Biopsy
4. Fibro scan
5. Lipid profile
6. CBC count
7. CT Scan
8. MRI

Ayurvedic Aspect of NAFLD

In Ayurveda, NAFLD can be correlated with Yakṛt Roga (liver disease) and Medoroga (obesity). Several diseases come under Yakṛt Roga (liver disease) ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to hepatomegaly to liver cirrhosis. According to the Ayurveda spicy food and abhiṣyandī āhāra (food which blocks the channels) leads to Rakta-Kapha duṣṭi which may lead to Yakṛtodara. Obesity is one of the commonest metabolic disorders and is one of the oldest documented diseases. In Charaka Samhitā this condition is described as Sthaulya (obesity) and Medoroga. NAFLD is a metabolic disorder of hepatic origin. Therefore in its treatment emphasis is lead on normalizing liver functions and reduction of insulin resistance.

Ayurvedic Treatment of NAFLD By Planet Ayurveda

According to Ayurvedic principles, every ailment can be managed properly if we eliminate the root cause. This can be done by adapting the conventional and holistic methods of healing i.e. Ayurveda. Hence, for this Planet Ayurveda is offering herbal supplements for the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Some of the Herbal Supplements are- 

1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna
2. Livoplan Syrup
3. Liv Support Capsules

Product Description

1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna

This is a herbal powder made from the wonderful herbs like Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri), Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Makoy (Solanum indicum), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Kaasni (Cichorium intybus), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea) and Bhringraj (Eclipta alba). This is very useful in all the liver anomalies. This herbal powder helps in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, spleenomegaly, hepatitis B, etc.

Dosage: 1 teaspoonful twice a day before meals with warm water or decoction method.

2. Livoplan Syrup

This is a herbal syrup that contains herbs such as Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Shyonak (Oroxylum indicum), Rohitaka (Tecomella undulata), Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri), Patol (Trichosanthes diocia), Kasni (Cichorium intybus), etc. These herbs regenerate the liver cells and protect the liver from toxins. It eliminates the toxins from the liver and provides a healthy liver function.

Dosage: 2 tsp twice a day after meals.

3. Liver Detox Formula

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with warm water.

Conclusion

Thus it is clear that NAFLD is a metabolic disorder of hepatic origin. In its Ayurvedic treatment emphasis is lead on normalizing the liver functions and reduction of insulin resistance. These are not habit forming drugs therefore it’s easy to tapper their dosage after the reversal of the disease. Ayurveda increases the quality of life without hampering any other organ with its side effects.