Life expectancy with fatty liver disease depends on the stage of the disease the patient is in. The more advanced stage of the disease the patient is in the lesser the span of life expectancy of the patient will be. Fatty liver disease is generally called Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), which depicts a range of conditions caused by too much fat stored in the liver of the human being irrespective of whether one consumes little or no alcohol. Generally, life expectancy with fatty liver disease is quite normal at its initial stage but; once the disease advances life expectancy is at stake.

Different stages of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease –

Healthy liver cells should rather have little or no fat. More than 5% fat stored in the liver cells is considered too much, and this can lead to a fatty liver. Generally, obese people are expected to be affected by NAFLD. There are four stages of NAFLD. Below are the different stages of NAFLD and the life expectancy with fatty liver disease for different stages;

• Stage I – When there is an accumulation of 5% to 10% fat of the liver weight, in the liver. This condition in medical terms is called simple fatty liver or Steatosis. NAFLD may reduce life expectancy by about 3 and a half to 4 years.
• Stage II – When there is an accumulation of 10-25% fat of the liver weight, in the liver. This condition is called Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Though alcohol does not lead to liver disease, research has shown that alcohol, even in small to moderate amounts, adds to the liver damage caused by NASH. Life expectancy with NASH in the early stage is about 10 to 15 years. However, if the condition worsens it may drastically reduce to 3 to 5 years.
• Stage III – This is the severe grade, wherein accumulation of more than 30% fat of the liver weight, in the liver takes place. This stage of NAFLD is called as Fibrosis and;
• Stage IV – In this stage of the disease the liver may eventually completely stop functioning properly. This condition is called Cirrhosis. During this stage of the disease, symptoms like yellowing of the skin and sclera (white portion) of the eyes and mild pain in the lower right side of the ribs start to appear. Life expectancy may vary from 2 to maybe 10 years, or so.

Generally, stage I fatty liver disease is curable by lifestyle changes. The initial stage of the disease can be reversed by strictly adhering to following a healthy diet regime, practicing physical exercise, and avoiding living a sedentary lifestyle. People affected with conditions like insulin resistance, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are very likely to be assessed positive for NAFLD. People affected by all or one of these conditions are observed to be unable to break fatty acids and hence fat accumulation starts taking place in all parts of the body and eventually in the cells of the internal body organs like the liver, kidney, lungs, and pancreas, etc. and therefore; the medical condition NAFLD arise and if it is not detected at the early stage and reversed will gradually advance to the next stage as mentioned above.

Symptoms of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) –

The fact is that people with Stage-I NAFLD don’t experience any noticeable changes in their health conditions and this leads to them being ignorant of getting tested to know NAFLD through significant tests like the Liver Function Test (LFT), Abdominal Ultrasound Test, and Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase test (SGPT), etc. Besides, the surprising thing about Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) is that people who have it generally have few or no symptoms, and this as mentioned above end up in a late diagnosis when the liver is already absolutely damaged. As NASH progresses, you may experience unexplained weight loss, weakness, fatigue, and aching in the upper right abdomen. The following signs are shown in the more advanced stages of the disease jaundice, abdominal swelling or distention, confusion, and bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. Grade 2 fatty liver is a transitional stage between severe and mild. The disease has a benign and several phases of progression, which include simple steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately progresses to hepatocellular carcinoma. It is a silent liver disease where the only histological finding is steatosis.

What could be done to reverse or prevent NAFLD or its advanced stages?  

NASH is also associated with other medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and obstructive sleep apnea. If you have any of these conditions, controlling them can help reduce the risk of developing NASH. Healthy lifestyle changes are essential. Maintaining a healthy body weight and carrying out regular physical activity are the most effective ways to prevent NASH. People who have these conditions can take medications as an immediate remedy to help control blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and decrease their glucose or sugar levels will help them lower the risk of NASH. As there is no pharmacological drug substance approved officially to stop NAFLD or its progression and therefore, preventing and arresting the progression of fatty liver by making a lifestyle shift and resorting to Ayurvedic treatment have been quite effective and therefore; acceptable by the people. Ayurvedic treatment involves diet, yoga, Panchakarma, and drug therapy. Ayurvedic treatment can modulate hepatic inflammation, modulate lipid metabolism, improve hepatic lipid metabolism, stop hepatic lipogenesis, and regulate mitochondrial dysfunction through apoptosis and autophagy.

Ayurvedic home medications for fatty liver disease – 

There are Ayurvedic home medications; that have been significantly useful in supporting liver health and keeping fatty liver under check. Following are some of the recommended remedies;

• Aloe Vera Juice:

Apart from cleansing our digestive system, and aiding in weight loss Aloe Vera has liver-detoxifying properties and it helps support liver health. For optimal benefit, one can consume 1 or 2 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera juice on an empty stomach in the morning.

• Ginger Tea:

Ginger tea is prepared by boiling a few slices of fresh ginger in water for 5-10 minutes. Ginger aids in digestion and liver function. Also, it has anti-inflammatory properties.

• Turmeric Milk:

Turmeric milk is prepared by adding half a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a cup of warm milk. The medicinal ingredient curcumin in turmeric has anti-inflammatory and liver-protective properties.

• Papaya:

One can eat ripe papaya regularly or as a part of breakfast or as a snack. It contains enzymes that can aid in digestion and support liver health.

How helpful is Panchakarma in Ayurvedic Treatment for Fatty Liver? 

Panchakarma is a traditional therapy for Ayurvedic detoxification and rejuvenation. It is beneficial in managing fatty liver. It is an extensive therapy that involves a series of remedial therapies to eliminate toxins, balance doshas, and promote the overall health of our body. Below mentioned are the different types of treatments of Panchakarma:

• Detoxification: It is aimed at removing toxins and impurities from the liver and the entire body. The primary detoxification technique in Panchakarma is called therapeutic vomiting (Vamana ) or therapeutic purgation (Virechana). These techniques help eliminate excess toxins and accumulated waste materials from the liver and our digestive system.
• Balancing Doshas: According to Ayurveda, an imbalance in the defects, (called doshas in Ayurveda); are mainly called Vata – energy of movement, Pitta – energy of digestion or metabolism, and Kapha – energy of lubrication and structure, can contribute to the development of diseases, like fatty liver. Panchakarma therapies work to restore the balance of doshas, particularly Pitta dosha, which plays a significant role in liver health. By balancing Pitta dosha, Panchakarma can help in managing fatty liver.
• Supporting Liver Function:  Medicated enema (Basti), is particularly aimed to support liver function. Medicated oils or herbal decoctions used in this treatment help purify and nourish the liver and thereby enhance its health and functioning.
• Reinforcing Digestion and Metabolism: Treatments like oil massage (Abhyanga), herbal steam therapy (Swedana), and continuous pouring of herbal oil on the forehead called “Shirodhara” help improve digestion, boost metabolism, and thereby enhance the overall functioning of the liver and the digestive system.
• Stress Reduction: Prolonged stress can radically contribute to liver dysfunction and aggravate fatty liver. This therapy for Fatty Liver focuses on promoting relaxation and reducing stress through treatments like Shirodhara, gentle massages, and meditation. Stress reduction can have a positive impact not only on liver health but our entire body.

Yogasana to recover from or arrest NAFLD – 

Ardha Matsyendrasana, Bow Pose, Boat Pose, etc. are some of the yogasana to be practiced to recover from or stop NAFLD. Apart from this benefit, they also aid in improving gut health. Please click on the below link to learn how to perform these asanas.

https://onlynaturalcure.com/mct-wellness/

Significant Note:

Following natural healing practices in our lives results in our overall well-being and consequently, nurture our relation with the natural world. Natural remedies are powerful and they could be considered as useful and effective substitutes for professional allopathic medical care and practices.

However, before resorting to any natural healing program, especially when we are on any medications or have any treatment going on for our existing health conditions we must always consult our concerned healthcare experts  so that, considering the limitations of our health or whether we are allergic to certain remedies we can have significant guidance of our health experts.

By adopting natural remedies and believing in their healing power we can enhance our physical and mental health leading to a more balanced and satisfying life. We must respect traditional practices and religiously follow natural healing practices for the benefit of mankind and nature.