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Dr. Vikram Chauhan - MD (Ayurveda)

Showing posts with label liver damage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label liver damage. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

6 Lifestyle Changes for Better Liver Health

Abstract

The liver is one of the most important organs in your body. It helps remove toxins, supports digestion, and keeps your metabolism running smoothly. But today's fast-paced lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, and exposure to pollution can put a lot of stress on your liver. Liver diseases are becoming increasingly common around the world. Millions of people are affected by conditions like fatty liver, hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis every year, many without even knowing it until it becomes serious. In this article, we'll look at six simple lifestyle changes that can boost your liver health. We'll also talk about how natural herbal supplements can help gently cleanse and support your liver. These tips focus on prevention and overall wellness, so you can take better care of your liver and feel healthier every day.

6 Lifestyle Changes for Better Liver Health

Introduction

The liver is responsible for over 500 functions. From metabolizing nutrients to detoxifying harmful substances. When the liver is overworked or becomes inflamed, it can lead to several health issues. Some of the most common liver-related disorders include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is often linked to obesity and poor diet, hepatitis (a viral infection that causes liver inflammation), liver cirrhosis (scarring of the liver from long-term damage), and even liver cancer. These conditions can be serious, but the good news is that many of them are preventable with the right lifestyle choices. Making small, consistent changes to your daily habits can go a long way in protecting this vital organ and supporting your overall health.

Common Causes Of Liver Stress And Damage

They Are As Follows:

  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Viral infections like Hepatitis B & C
  • High-fat, processed diet
  • Obesity and lack of exercise

Signs Your Liver May Need Support

They Are As Follows:

  • Frequent fatigue or low energy levels
  • Poor digestion or bloating after meals
  • Yellowish skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Dark-colored urine or pale stools
  • Unexplained weight gain or belly fat
  • Skin issues like acne, itching, or rashes

6 Lifestyle Changes For Better Liver Health

1. Adopt a Liver-Friendly Diet

The foundation of liver health begins with your plate. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins provides the nutrients your liver needs to function efficiently. Reduce consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and trans fats, all of which contribute to liver fat accumulation and inflammation.

Key Dietary Tips For Liver Health

  • Include cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts.
  • Eat foods rich in antioxidants such as berries and leafy greens.
  • Stay hydrated with clean, filtered water.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight or obese increases the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can progress to more serious conditions like liver cirrhosis or liver failure. Shedding even a small amount of weight can reduce liver fat and inflammation significantly. Engaging in regular physical activity, at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week, can help manage body weight and improve liver enzyme levels. Herbal supplements for liver detox, which support fat metabolism and reduce oxidative stress on liver cells, can be used.

Healthy Weight Management Steps

  • Walking: 30-minute brisk walk
  • Yoga: Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation), Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose), Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) and Naukasana (Boat Pose)
  • Cycling: Boosts heart health and burns calories
  • Strength training: Simple bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups, or lifting light weights, can be very effective.

3. Limit Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is a known liver toxin. Excessive drinking can lead to alcoholic fatty liver, hepatitis, and eventually liver cirrhosis. The liver metabolizes alcohol, and chronic exposure can lead to permanent damage. By cutting back on alcohol, you're giving your liver the chance to heal, regenerate, and function at its best.

4. Avoid Unnecessary Medications

Overuse of common drugs like painkillers (such as paracetamol or ibuprofen), antibiotics, or supplements in high doses can lead to liver inflammation or even liver failure in serious cases. This is especially risky when medications are mixed with alcohol or taken for long periods.

To Protect Your Liver

  • Take only the medications you truly need
  • Always follow the prescribed dosage
  • Avoid self-medicating or using herbal supplements without proper guidance
  • Check with your doctor before mixing medicines or combining them with alcohol

5. Manage Stress Effectively

Chronic stress can indirectly impact liver health by triggering hormonal imbalances and inflammation. Stress also leads to poor lifestyle choices like overeating, drinking, or smoking, all of which harm the liver.

Mind-body Practices

  • Meditation: Regular meditation encourages relaxation, improves sleep, and lowers stress hormones. Even 10–15 minutes a day can promote a sense of calm and help support the body's natural healing processes.
  • Pranayam (Breathing exercises): Pranayama uses breath control to balance the body and mind. Start slowly with 5–10 minutes a day and gradually increase. Certain pranayama techniques are especially beneficial for liver health. Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing), Bhastrika (Bellows Breath), Kapalbhati (Skull-Shining Breath), Sheetali (Cooling Breath).
  • Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, whether you're eating, walking, or simply breathing. Mindful living encourages better choices, reduces emotional eating, and helps you stay connected with your body's needs, all of which benefit liver health.

6. Support Liver Function With Liver Detox Formula by Planet Ayurveda

Liver Detox Formula is a 100% natural herbal supplement crafted by Planet Ayurveda, designed to promote healthy liver function and support the body's natural detox process. This powerful blend of time-tested Ayurvedic herbs helps cleanse the liver, regulate liver enzymes, and maintain overall liver wellness.

Liver Detox Formula

  • Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) – Known for its strong liver-protective and antioxidant properties.
  • Kasni (Cichorium intybus) – Helps regulate liver enzymes and supports bile secretion.
  • Makoy (Solanum nigrum) – Traditionally used for liver health and managing liver-related discomforts.
  • Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) – A rejuvenating herb that supports liver detox and digestion.
  • Jhavuka (Tamarix gallica) – A gentle herb known for its detoxifying effects.
  • Himsra (Capparis spinosa) – Supports healthy liver enzyme levels and reduces oxidative stress.
  • Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) – Promotes liver function and helps reduce fluid retention.
  • Katuki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) – A bitter herb known for its potent liver-cleansing action.
  • Biranjasipha (Achillea millefolium) – Aids in maintaining liver tone and detox pathways.

Key Benefits & Herbal Blend

  • Helps cleanse and rejuvenate the liver, supporting its natural detoxification process.
  • Maintains hormonal balance by supporting optimal liver function.
  • Promotes toxin elimination to boost overall health and vitality.
  • Strengthens liver tissues and supports the regeneration of healthy liver cells.
  • Supports healthy bile flow, aiding digestion and metabolism.

Conclusion

The liver is a resilient organ, but it requires conscious care to maintain its health. By adopting the six lifestyle changes discussed, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, avoiding toxins, managing stress, and incorporating an herbal supplement for liver detox, you can significantly reduce your risk of liver-related illnesses and improve your overall well-being.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Ayurvedic Treatment for Budd–Chiari Syndrome (BCS) - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Herbal Remedies

BUDD-CHIARI SYNDROME

budd–chiari syndrome, BCS

A liver disease characterized by clotting of blood in the hepatic veins. It leads to liver damage. Depending on the severity it might cause, liver cancer, structural obstruction in the inferior vena cava, infections, liver trauma, myeloproliferative, polycythemia, sickle-cell disease and phlebitis.

This syndrome affects mostly the adults. Mainly it occurs due to blocking or constricting of the hepatic veins which drains the liver. The severity of this syndrome can either be acute, chronic, fulminant or asymptomatic.



SYMPTOMS

  • Nausea And Vomiting
  • Weight Loss
  • Vomiting Of Blood
  • Swelling Of Lower Limbs.
  • Ascites
  • Liver And Spleen Enlargement
  • Pain In The Liver Area
  • Upper Abdominal Pain 
  • Yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes  
  • Fluid accumulation within the peritoneal cavity
  • Elevated liver enzymes, and eventually encephalopathy.

Many patients experience slow onset of this syndrome. Venous deposits may form around the blockage which looks like a "spider's web". It may lead to cirrhosis and finally liver failure.

CAUSES

  • Polycythemia vera
  • Pregnancy
  • Postpartum state
  • Use of oral contraceptives
  • Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Lupus anticoagulants
  • Tuberculosis
  • Congenital Venous Webs
  • Inferior Vena Caval Stenosis.

DIAGNOSIS

  • Measurements of liver enzyme levels and other organ markers (creatinine, urea, electrolytes, LDH)
  • Ultrasound studies of the abdomen and retrograde angiography
  • Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Liver biopsy 

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

People with Budd-Chiari syndrome are advised with surgery or anti-clotting medication for removal of blockage. Ayurvedic medicines like Ras-Sindur, Malla-Sindur, Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Sunthi (Zinziber officinalis), Marich (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum), Punarnavadi-Qadha, Tamra-Bhasma, Chavya (Piper retrofractrum), Lashuna (Allium sativum), Yava-Kshar, Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica), Arogya-Vardhini, Triphala-Guggulu, Medohar-Guggulu, Mulak-Kshar, Pashanbhed (Bergenia lingulata), Apamarga (Achyranthus aspera) and Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa) are effective in removing blockage from veins and reduces liver and spleen enlargement.

PLANET AYURVEDA'S HERBAL TREATMENT

Planet Ayurveda's Liver Care Pack is extremely effective. This pack has following herbal medicines as listed below.

Liver Care Pack

Fatty Liver, Herbal Remedies, Ayurvedic Treatment

1. Liver Detox Capsules

This formulation is effective in the detoxification of the body naturally. This herbal formulation consists of   herbs like Kalmegh, Kaasni, Kakmachi, Punarnava, Katuki, Himsra and Haritaki etc. These herbs work collectively and provide relief from the life threatening disorders of Hepatitis B. These herbs treat various liver related disorders like cirrhosis of liver, alcoholic liver damage, hepatitis, fatty liver and many others. They exert a cleansing action on the liver.

Dose: 2 capsules two times after meals with plain water on a daily basis.

2. Phyllanthus Niruri Capsules

This herbal formulation helps in alleviating kapha and pitta doshas. This formulation is a blend of an amazing herb, Phyllanthus niruri. This herb consists of anti-hypertensive, diuretic, body detoxification, blood purifying hepatoprotective, anti-hepatitis, and anti-HIV properties. The medicine contains extracts of the herb, Bhumyamlaki. This herb helps in enhancing immunity of the body and treating the various symptoms of Hepatitis B. The herb contains flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, lignans and other chemicals. These are useful for treating the complication away.

Dose: 2 capsules two times after meals with plain water on a daily basis.

3. Yakrit Plihantak Churna

This herbal formulation is a mixture of certain effective rare herbs. These herbs have amazing benefits and helps to fight and relieve various liver related disorders effectively. It helps to carry out the process of detoxification and cleansing the body and eliminating the various toxic wastes effectively. It provides relief from the regeneration, liver enlargement and inflammation of livers. Bhumi Amla, Katuki, Makoy, Kalmegh, Punarnava, Sharpunkha, Kaasni and Bhringraj are some of the effective herbs, which have Ayurvedic properties to provide relief from the liver related disorders effectively. These herbs help in eliminating the excess fluid from the body, harmful toxins, regenerating the hepatic cells, providing relief from urinary tract infections and reducing acidity to a considerable extent.

Dose: 1 tsp two times after meals with plain water on a daily basis.

4. Echinacea Capsules

Echinacea is also known as the Kalmegh. This herb is extremely rich in lactones, flavonoids, etc. It has anti-parasitic, anti-biotic, anti-viral and immune-stimulant characteristics. It helps in the treatment of flatulence, Hepatitis B and other complications effectively. The herb has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory characteristics as well. These help in making the body immune to the pathogenic microorganisms to a huge extent. It is also anti-thrombic, beta blocking, spasmolytic and cardio-protective in nature. It inhibits the multiplication of the hepatitis B virus to a huge extent.

Dose: 2 capsules two times after meals with plain water on a daily basis.

HEALTH TIPS

In order to get rid of life threatening problems one must:

  1. Avoid Consumption of alcohol completely.
  2. Drink plenty water.
  3. Avoid exhausting body with excess physical work.
  4. Eating healthy food and avoiding fast food or over spicy food items.

Natural herbs have amazing properties to remove and reduce the symptoms and complications of various liver related disorders. Intake of fresh hygienic food items and following a healthy lifestyle properly helps to provide relief from aching and uncomfortable conditions of the liver.