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Recommended Supplements for Fatty Liver
Certain dietary supplements may help treat your fatty liver 1. According to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, fatty liver, or steatosis, is the accumulation of excessive fat inside your liver cells 1. Possible causes of fatty liver include poor diet, alcohol abuse and certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and Reye's syndrome 1. Before taking supplements to help treat your fatty liver, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions 1.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle, a member of the aster family, is an herbal supplement that may be helpful in treating your fatty liver 1. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, milk thistle, also known as Silybum marianum, has been used for centuries to health treat many health problems, especially liver problems 2. Milk thistle is a flowering plant native to the Mediterranean region and has a bitter taste. Milk thistle's seeds are used for medicinal purposes. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that milk thistle is a general liver remedy that helps your liver regrow and replenish new cells 5. Milk thistle has been used to help treat many liver-related ailments, including fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis 1. Milk thistle may also be used as a protectant before exposure to liver toxins. This herbal supplement is rich in antioxidant flavonoids.
- Milk thistle, a member of the aster family, is an herbal supplement that may be helpful in treating your fatty liver 1.
- Milk thistle may also be used as a protectant before exposure to liver toxins.
Oregon Grape Root
Herbs for Nocturia
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Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that Oregon grape root, also known as Mahonia aquifolium, is an astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, choleretic, cholagogue and vulnerary, or a substance that promotes the healing of wounds or irritated tissue 4. Oregon grape root, a member of the barberry family, helps stimulate your liver and reduces your liver congestion. Oregon grape root also increases your production and secretion of bile, which is an important digestive juice. The root bark and stem bark of the plant are used by practitioners of botanical medicine to help treat many liver problems, including fatty liver 1. Oregon grape root has a bitter, astringent taste and drying and cooling tendencies. If you are pregnant, cautions Tilgner, you should avoid taking this herbal supplement, due to its ability to stimulate your uterus.
Artichoke
Artichoke, also known as Cynara scolymus, is a perennial thistle native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. Artichoke has a tuberous root and large flower buds. The dried or fresh basal leaves of the plant are edible. The entire plant has an unusual smell and a strong, bitter taste. Extracts from the leaves of the plant are used medicinally in herbal supplements to help treat numerous health conditions, including fatty liver 1. Dr. William A. Mitchell Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that artichoke, a member of the daisy family, is an effective hepatic, or liver, antioxidant that can help regenerate a depleted, deteriorated and diseased liver 3. Artichoke, notes Mitchell, contains cynarin, a substance that helps stimulate choleresis, or the secretion of bile into your gallbladder by your liver.
- Artichoke, also known as Cynara scolymus, is a perennial thistle native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.
- Artichoke has a tuberous root and large flower buds.
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References
- Penn State: Fatty Liver
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Milk Thistle
- "Plant Medicine in Practice;" William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- Ersöz G, Günşar F, Karasu Z, Akay S, Batur Y, Akarca US. Management of fatty liver disease with vitamin E and C compared to ursodeoxycholic acid treatment. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2005;16(3):124-8.
- Cusi K. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2009;16(2):141-9. doi:10.1097/MED.0b013e3283293015
- Deivanayagam S, Mohammed BS, Vitola BE, et al. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with hepatic and skeletal muscle insulin resistance in overweight adolescents. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;88(2):257-62. doi:10.1093/ajcn/88.2.257
Writer Bio
Martin Hughes is a chiropractic physician, health writer and the co-owner of a website devoted to natural footgear. He writes about health, fitness, diet and lifestyle. Hughes earned his Bachelor of Science in kinesiology at the University of Waterloo and his doctoral degree from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Ore.