Alternative Treatment of Fatty Liver Symptoms

When the liver begins to accumulate deposits of fat, you can begin to suffer from what is known as a fatty liver. Commonly referred to as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, this condition typically causes no problems for people, but can prompt some inflammation and irritation within the organ. Over time, this eventually results in the formation of scar tissue, which impedes the overall function of the liver. Once this happens, treatment is often necessary to remedy the condition.

Lifestyle Treatment

• Since there isn't a standard medical treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, most doctors recommend "alternative" routes to reducing the factors that could be contributing to the deposits of fat. One of the most common is losing any excess weight you may be carrying. To do this, most people find a benefit from changing their eating habits and exercise regimen, so reduce the amount saturated fat and caloric intake of your diet as well as increase the amount of physical exercise you engage in each day.

  Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are great sources of vitamins and nutrients as well as contain far fewer calories than most meats and dairy. Exchange beef and pork with chicken and fish. Eliminate highly processed foods, such as meal helpers, canned soups and frozen dinners, and opt for healthy snacks, like nuts, carrots and apples, instead of chips or candy. All of these things can go a long way to lowering your cholesterol and preventing the accumulation of fat within the liver.

  For exercise, try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of physical exertion each day. Walking, biking and jogging only take half an hour to truly benefit your health. Lifting weights and competitive sports, like tennis or basketball, can not only help burn calories, but also encourages the development of muscles and lessen the potential of fatty deposits. Even simple things like taking the stairs at work or walking to the grocery store can incorporate physical fitness into your daily life.

Alcohol Restriction

• Another method of treating a fatty liver is to avoid the consumption of alcohol. When you're already suffering from fatty liver disease, alcohol can further irritate the liver, causing it to inflame and eventually develop scar tissue. By avoiding alcohol, you're lessening the potential of further damage, especially when coupling it with lifestyle changes, to the liver.

Antioxidant Consumption

• There is some belief that the use of antioxidants can alleviate and potentially counteract the accumulation of fatty deposits in the liver. Vitamins A, C and E, as well as carotenoid and selenium, are by far the most common antioxidants used today. However, taking these in the supplement form may not be enough to make any sort of beneficial impact on the liver, so seek out actual food sources of these nutrients.

  Carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, squash, kale, apricots and peaches are all excellent sources of both Vitamin A and carotenoid. Green leafy vegetables (like spinach and cabbage), tomatoes, green peppers broccoli, strawberries and citrus fruits are rich with Vitamin C. Vitamin E can be found in many nuts and grains as well as spinach, cabbage, chard, collard and turning greens and blueberries. Nuts, fish, chicken, turkey and whole grains are great foods for getting selenium. So, instead of turning to supplements to use antioxidants to treat your condition, try getting these nutrients directly from the source.