Health & Wellness

How The Herb In The Liver From NAFLD And NASH

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an umbrella term which is used for a wide range of liver conditions and hence affects people who do not drink alcohol. On the other hand NASH is Non alcoholic steatohepatitis is a condition which is a form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease which causes liver cell damage, inflammation of liver and also can result in liver fibrosis, scarring of liver or can lead to liver cirrhosis. NASH can be considered as the next stage of non-alcoholic liver disease. NAFLD is most common in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. In this article we will discuss both NASH and NAFLD along with a description of Yakrit Plihantak Churna in protecting the liver from both of these conditions.

Introduction

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is more common in people with obesity and type two diabetes. The fatty liver disease is common in people with type two diabetes and prevalence ranges between 70%-80%. These patients are obese and have uncontrolled or flactuating sugar levels. People with simple fatty liver condition do not develop complications but when it is associated with Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. NASH generally leads toward liver cirrhosis and also liver cancer. Mostly, patients with NASH die due to liver failure after landing in liver cirrhosis. The hepatic lipotoxicity and non-liver factors, such as adipose tissue inflammation and gastrointestinal imbalances were linked to evolution of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. There are many reasons for the occurence of NAFLD but the pathway of progression of this condition into NASH is still not known. Though the pathogenesis of NAFLD and NASH appears to be multifactorial and many mechanisms are being proposed as a possible cause for fatty liver infiltration. 

Causes of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Most of the time the reason behind nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is obesity associated with type two diabetes. It's mostly the connection between disease and insulin resistance. Insulin is basically a hormone and is responsible for glucose uptake by cells of various muscles and tissue. Insulin also helps the liver in storing excess glucose.

When the body develops insulin resistance that means it does not respond to insulin and the glucose build up is commonly observed. As a result too much fat ends up accumulated in the liver. This usually leads to inflammation and liver scarring.

Causes for NASH (Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis)

As we have discussed earlier, this condition is the advanced form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. When the buildup of fat in the liver causes severe inflammation and damage then it is called NASH.

Symptoms of both NAFLD and NASH

The symptoms generally include pain in the upper right side of abdomen, fatigue, enlarged liver or spleen (observed usually during examination by your physician), jaundice and yellowing of skin and eyes.

• Symptoms you are landing in NASH
• Bleeding and bruising easily
• Itchy skin
• Yellow discoloration of skin and eyes
• Fluid buildup in abdomen
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling in legs
• Spider like veins on your skin

Risk factors for non-alcoholic liver disease and NASH

• Diabetes
• High cholesterol levels
• Increased triglycerides
• Using corticosteroids
• Pregnancy
• Poor diet
• Metabolic syndrome
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

Ayurvedic aspects of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

In Ayurveda NAFLD and NASH is understood as Yakrit Roga and the underlying cause of it is medoroga (obesity) very often. Moreover Ayurveda explains some types of prameha (Diabetes mellitus) as the result of obesity. Obesity is the result of kapha imbalance. A person having more and more kapha vardhak aahar will face obesity and deposition of fat in between the organs and in the liver is generally observed. This aggravated kapha will stick over the cells as a layer and will destroy their pillu agni which is called as the agni of each and every cell. Thus decreasing the fat metabolism which is responsible for fat accumulation in the liver and also aggravates extracellular pitta. All of this process will finally result in fat deposition in the liver due to decreased fat metabolism and low lipotropic activity. The fatty liver hence can be understood as a disease or disorder taking place as a result of aggravated kapha which results in aggravation of pitta as well and finally disturbes the fat utilization mechanism.

Yakrit Plihantak Churna for protecting liver from NAFLD and NASH

Yakrit plihantak churna is a classical Ayurvedic formulation which has many beneficial herbs. These herbs are potent in enhancing liver functioning, removing accumulated fat in the liver and also are effective in showing liver protecting effects.

The herbs which are the constituents of Yakrit Plihantak Churna are as follows:

• Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus niruri)
• Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa)
• Makoy (Solanum indicum)
• Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa)
• Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata)
• Kaasni (Cichorium intybus)
• Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea)
• Bhringraj (Eclipta alba)

Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus niruri)

Bhumi amla is having a hepatoprotective effect and is also a really great antioxidant. Bhumi amla is effective in balancing kapha and pitta in the body due to its bitter taste. It has a very soothing effect on the liver and helps in improvement of pilu agni at cellular level. Phyllanthus helps in removing excessive accumulation of fat from the liver and also helps in good utilization of body fat.

Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa)

Katuki roots contain picrorhiza which is a bitter astringent and is best for liver detoxification. In addition it regulates bile secretion and also removes excess of bile from the liver. This herb helps in proper channeling of bile to the small intestine where it helps in digestion of food. Katuki reduces the risk of landing in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and also of liver cirrhosis simultaneously. 

Makoy (Solanum indicum)

The other name of makoy is kaakmachi and it is an excellent liver strengthener.  Makoy is having solanine, due to presence of solanine this plant performs hepatoprotective as well as antidiabetic activity. It reduces blood glucose level and also shows a brilliant effect on enhancing pancreatic activity. It stimulates functioning of beta cells present in pancreas which are responsible for insulin production.    

Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa)

Punarnava has two varieties, shweta purna and rakta purna. The punarnava is very effective in protecting the liver and also shows diuretic effect. Many classical samhita have mentioned that punarnava reduces oedema over the liver and also shows mild protective activity on pancreas too.

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata)

Kalmegh is the king of bitters and treats liver ailments really well. This herb helps in reducing swelling over the liver, increases body’s immunity, soothes liver surface and pace up functioning of liver cells which in turn do not allow accumulation of fat in liver. Moreover it enhances pancreatic activity, helps in repairing beta cells and regulates a good amount of insulin. The rise in insulin levels helps in reduction of blood glucose and thus reduces fatty accumulations in the liver.

Kaasni (Cichorium intybus)

Kaasni is having a cholagogue effect. This means it has properties that enhance the bile discharge from the system and hence purgate it downward. It is very helpful in reducing inflammation. Kaasni is a very well-known liver tonic which is also blended into sherbet for ingestion. Kaasni is also helpful in improving liver and pancreatic functioning and prevents fat accumulation in the liver.

Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea)

Sharpunkha is having liver protecting properties. This herb helps in reducing the effect of fat and endotoxins on the liver. Due to its katu rasa it gives positive results in detoxification of the liver and also regulates bile secretion. Sharpunkha is beneficial in reducing accumulated fluid in the body due to its diuretic property.

Bhringraj (Eclipta alba)

Bhringraj, like other herbs mentioned above, has a liver protecting effect, manages good secretion of bile, reduces accumulation of bile in the liver and also acts as a liver tonic. Bhringraj supports liver functioning really well and is also very effective for gallbladder stones if used along with ajwain.

Conclusion

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are somewhat correlated. Steatohepatitis can be considered as the next stage of NAFLD which at last results in liver cirrhosis and hence patients either die or opt for liver transplantation. But using Yakrit Plihantak Churna can change the scenario and can really help in reducing fat accumulation and other symptoms related to this liver ailment.

By: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

MD (Ayurveda) CEO & Founder of Planet Ayurveda