Naturopathic Treatments For Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

We come into contact with a lot of chemicals in our daily lives.

And for the most part, our bodies can filter out the “junk” that we’re exposed to.

Your kidneys filter your blood and create urine as a waste product.

The small hairs in your nose help filter out small particles of dust and dirt in the air, and keep it from your lungs.

And your liver helps metabolize nutrients, filter chemicals, and break down fats.

Sometimes, however, the use of natural detoxifying agents can help support our bodies in this role.

When too much stress is placed on these systems, it can result in disease and illness.

In particular, stress on the liver can lead to fatty liver disease.

Today we’re going to look specifically at nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Keep reading to learn more.

What Is Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)?

Most people are aware that over indulging in alcohol can result in strain on the liver.

However, even for those who don’t drink too much alcohol, liver issues can sometimes arise.

This is known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Although it falls under the same category of fatty liver disease as that caused by excessive alcohol, the causes and treatments are different.

Types Of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

There are two types of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Let’s have a look at the differences.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver (NAFL)

In a diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver, the liver contains excess fat but does not have accompanying damage or inflammation.

Enlargement of the liver due to this can result in pain.

Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is more serious than NAFL.

A diagnosis of NASH is often accompanied by liver inflammation and damage.

Left untreated, NASH can result in scarring, cirrhosis, and eventually liver cancer.

NAFLD Symptoms

In many instances, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease will not present any symptoms.

Where there are symptoms showing, they may include:

• Jaundice
• Weight loss
• Chronic fatigue
• Weakness
• Swelling of the legs and stomach
• Upper right quadrant abdominal pain

What Causes NAFLD?

The precise cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is not known, however, there are a number of variables which can contribute, including:

• Digestive system health
• Genetics
• Diet

Risk factors for NAFLD include:

• Obesity
• Poor gut health
• High cholesterol
• High triglyceride levels
• High sugar diet

Naturopathic Treatments For Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

If you have a diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, there are a number of natural treatment options you can use to help manage it.

Let’s have a look at a few of these.

1. Balance Your Hormones

Insulin is a hormone which helps the body use glucose.

When the body becomes resistant to insulin, it becomes difficult to get glucose to the cells, so they can use it for energy.

Insulin resistance can also result in increased fatty liver accumulations.

If left untreated, it can lead to the need for naturopathic diabetes treatment.

Keeping these hormones in balance can help prevent these accumulations.

IV therapy for diabetes can help.

This can also help to…

2. Balance Your Blood Sugar

There are number of ways you can balance your blood sugar naturally.

Eating a sensible, low sugar, high fibre diet is a great start.

Regular exercise and proper sleep helps your body better use the sugars in your bloodstream.

Additionally, intermittent fasting can help improve insulin sensitivity.

3. Supplement With NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine)

N-acetyl-cysteine, or NAC, can help to reduce stress on the liver.

It’s used by the body to build antioxidants which can protect cells and repair damage.

4. Supplement With Vitamin C

Vitamin C is important for the growth, repair, and development of all the tissues in the body.

In relation to NAFLD specifically, a study in the Journal Nutrition found it reduced oxidative stress and inhibited the development of fatty liver.

5. Supplement With Glutathione

Glutathione is a molecule which plays a variety of roles in the body, one of which is supporting the protection and detoxification of the liver.

These types of supplements are best absorbed through glutathione IV injection, rather than oral supplements.

Glutathione has a number of other benefits as well, including helping with skin conditions.

Questions? Ask Dr. JJ!

Does fatty liver disease run in your family?

Are you worried about developing it because you have other risk factors, such as imbalanced blood sugar levels or high cholesterol?

I’m Dr. JJ, a naturopathic doctor in downtown Toronto, and I can help.

I offer natural liver detoxification IV injection services, to help your body eliminate toxins, and can help support the health of your liver and other organs.

Contact my office today to set up a consultation and learn more about how naturopathic medicine can help you.