Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
(NAFLD) is liver damage not primarily caused by alcoholic beverage intake.
It is instead driven by:
- Diet – excess carbohydrates and sugar, excess fat, processed foods
- Overweight and sedentary lifestyle
- High cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, insulin, and blood pressure
The Consequences
NAFLD can lead to the same complications as fatty liver caused by alcohol.
Fat deposited in the liver cells can contribute to liver inflammation, fibrosis of the liver and the blood vessels around the liver, and eventually cirrhosis. At this stage, the damage can be permanent leading to liver failure and/or cancer of the liver. NAFLD can also lead to cancers outside the liver- primarily colorectal cancer. Gastric cancers have also been linked to NAFLD.
The Good News…These Support a Healthy Liver
Diet – Avoid excess carbohydrates, sugar, dairy, vegetable and saturated fat.
Olive Oil intake reduced triglycerides, liver enzymes and ultrasound measures of fatty liver. Add both healthy omega 3 and 9 fats.
Weight Loss improves NAFLD. Exercise at least 30 minutes per day.
Manage blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose
Supplements
Glutathione at 300 mg per day for 4 months reduced ALT 12.9% and
reduced triglycerides.
Silymarin from milk thistle exhibits strong anti-inflammatory properties,
reduced oxidative stress, liver fibrosis and stiffness. It improved liver enzymes and liver size while increasing Liver glutathione levels.
Choline deficient diets lead to fatty liver. Polyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC) is a highly bioavailable form of choline. In study participants with NAFLD, 45% in the PPC group experienced reduced symptoms including reduction of liver inflammation and enlargement. PPC also protects against fibrosis in the liver. It also appears to help replenish glutathione in the liver and supports detoxification.
A formulation of Bergamot, Aged black garlic and Artichoke supported liver fat clearance and reduction of liver enzymes.
References : Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology, May 2012; 5(3) Current Oncology, June 25, 2022; 29(7) Nutrients, 2023; 15(13)
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, May 2013; 16(3) Journal of Hepatology, Sept 1997; 27(.3)
Alcohol Clinical and Experimental Research, Feb. 2000; 24(2) Alcohol and Alcoholism, May 2003; 38(3) Nutrients, June 2023; 15(13)
Advances in Therapies, Feb 2020; 37 BMC Gastroenterology, Aug 2017; 17(1)
