Fatty liver: Why even healthy, fit people are at risk and don't know about it
It's quiet. It's sneaky. And if you miss the early signs, the consequences can be far-reaching.
What causes fatty liver? In one word-lifestyle
Your liver suffers when you consume that packet of instant noodles, deep-fried chips, frozen pizza, or a sugary iced coffee from a café. These contemporary food choices, which are loaded with hydrogenated fats, refined sugars, palm oil, and preservatives, overwhelm the liver with toxins that it cannot adequately process.
And it's not just adults-children as young as 10 are showing early signs of fatty liver, thanks to soft drinks, junk food, and a lack of physical activity.
7 Ways to check for fatty liver at home
Alcohol, of course, remains a major culprit-but it's not the only one. Even non-drinkers develop what's now called Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Sedentary habits, stress, irregular sleep cycles, late-night eating, and skipping meals all contribute to sluggish liver function and fat accumulation in liver cells.
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So how does the body signal that something is off?
Until blood reports raise concerns, these subtle symptoms-such as persistent fatigue, dull skin, slight pain or heaviness under your right rib, frequent bloating, mood swings, trouble losing belly fat, and even bad breath-are frequently disregarded.
The good news? Your liver has an extraordinary power to regenerate-if you allow it to. Here's how to begin healing naturally:
Begin your mornings with warm water, lemon juice, and a pinch of grated ginger.
It stimulates bile flow and aids detox.
Add Ayurvedic herbs like punarnava, kalmegh, bhumyamalaki, and kutki under guidance-they are powerful liver rejuvenators.
Ditch processed food and embrace whole grains like jowar, bajra, ragi, and red rice. Use mustard oil, ghee, or cold-pressed oils.
Snack on soaked walnuts, almonds, and seeds. Healthy fats help flush stored liver fat.
Move your body. Walk, stretch, do yoga-or dance to your favourite song.
Prioritise sleep and reduce stress. The liver repairs at night, and stress hormones only worsen the condition.
Your liver is your body's detox factory. Treat it with the respect it deserves, and it will return the favour with lifelong vitality. Don't wait for a report to remind you start the reversal today.
Monica B. Sood, CEO – Navjivan Health Service
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