Treatment of NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) in Ayurveda

The Liver is the second largest organ of the human body whose weight is approximately 1.6 kg.

Some Of The Main Functions Of Liver Are:

• It metabolizes important proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
• It helps in producing and clearing cholesterol in the body.
• The liver secretes blood clotting factors which helps in stopping the excessive blood flow during a cut or any injury.
• It also secretes bile. Bile helps in the digestion of fats and fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K.
• It stores iron, copper and Vitamins such as A, D, E, K and B12.
• The liver cleanses blood by eliminating harmful wastes, drugs and toxic substances from it.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON DISORDERS THAT AFFECT LIVER?

Disorders that affect liver are Hepatitis (Inflammation of the liver), Cirrhosis (scarring), fatty liver and cancer. Common causes of liver disorders are metabolism, hereditary, virus infection such as Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E, intake of alcohol and drugs.

WHAT IS FATTY LIVER?

The normal liver has 5% fat only. When the amount of fat increases by 10%, then healthy liver tissues gets converted into fatty tissues. This disorder is known as fatty liver or steatosis. In other words, this condition can be described as liver that sucks fat.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF FATTY LIVER?

• Excessive intake of alcohol
• Overweight
• High blood cholesterol
• Diabetes Mellitus

WHAT IS NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD)?

Fatty Liver Has Two Basic Types:

• Persons who have more alcohol intake, the fatty liver reaches the first stage of the disease, which gradually leads to cirrhosis if the alcohol intake is continued.
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a term used to describe the fat deposition in those patients who take alcohol in smaller quantities or do not consume alcohol at all.

WHAT IS NASH?

Due to the deposition of fats in the patients suffering from NAFLD, there is an inflammation and necrosis (death of tissues of the liver). The presence of dead tissues and inflammation lead to a chronic disorder known as Non Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis (NASH). The word Steato means fat and Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Patients who are suffering from NASH are at the risk of developing cirrhosis.

NAFLD AND NASH -- FACTS AND FIGURES

• In India, the incidence of NAFLD is commonly seen in obese, diabetes or prediabetic people.
• 80% of the patients suffering from NAFLD are obese.
• It affects 40-70% of the patients suffering with diabetes.
• In normal children, NAFLD disease has increased up to 3-10% in the last 10 years, and increases up to 8-80% in overweight/obese children.
• Nearly 2-3% thin and 15-20% obese people have NASH.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH NAFLD?

The Risk Factors Associated With NAFLD Are:

• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Age: It mostly occurs in the persons above the age of 50 years. It is most commonly seen in men.
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
• High levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF NAFLD?

There are no specific signs and symptoms of NAFLD. But, when the disease develops, it causes pain and discomfort in the upper part of the abdomen and fatigue.

HOW NAFLD IS DIAGNOSED?

Following Are The Tests That Are Used For The Diagnosis Of NAFLD:

• LFT: It is a blood test which measures the concentrations of various enzymes and proteins in the blood which are produced by the liver. Patients suffering from NAFLD have elevated levels of liver enzymes.
• Imaging Tests: Imaging tests such as ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT) scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
• Biopsy: A liver biopsy is a procedure in which a small needle is inserted into the liver to collect a tissue sample. Liver biopsy is done to differentiate between NASH and fatty liver.

WHAT ARE THE DISORDERS AND COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH NASH?

Patients suffering from NASH have higher risks of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disorders or stroke.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO PREVENT NAFLD?

The change in lifestyle is the first step towards the prevention of NAFLD.

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Choose a healthy diet.
• Be regular with your physical exercises.
• Don't take any medicine without physician's consultation.
• Intake of alcohol should be under control.
• Quit smoking.

Modern treatment for liver disorders include the prescription of drugs but currently available drugs have more systemic toxicity therefore, physicians hesitate to administer these drugs for long term use.

According to modern medicine, liver transplantation is one of the options for chronic liver disorders but this treatment option bears several risks and is unaffordable for most of the patients in many countries, particularly in India. Further, liver transplant is a complex procedure as it requires sophisticated infrastructure, expensive drugs and prolonged stays in ICUs.

WHAT IS THE AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON LIVER DISORDERS?

In Ayruveda, The liver is considered as a well known organ. It is known as "Yakrit". The word "Yakrit" is made from two words: Yat + Krit. "Yat" means conversion and "Krit" means to do. Yakrit is a site of Raktdhatu where blood is stored. In Ayurveda, there are many herbs and their extracts that have been shown to possess hepato-protective activities. These herbs have biochemical active components that protect the liver from oxidative stress, promote virus elimination, block fibrogenesis, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, liver generating properties. Traditional Indian Medicinal system known as Ayurveda has generated extensive empirical knowledge and treated various complicated disorders since ages.

NAFLD can be successfully treated with the help of herbs and herbal remedies.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT OF NAFLD BY PLANET AYURVEDA?

Planet Ayurveda offers effective herbal remedies for the treatment of NAFLD. These remedies are:

1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna
2. Livoplan Syrup
3. Liver Detox Formula

Fatty Liver Care Pack

1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna

This is a herbal powder made from the wonderful herbs like Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri), Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Makoy (Solanum indicum), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Kaasni (Cichorium intybus), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea) and Bhringraj (Eclipta alba). This is very useful in all the liver anomalies. This herbal powder helps in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, spleenomegaly, hepatitis B, etc.

Dosage: 1 teaspoonful twice a day before meals with warm water or decoction method.

2. Livoplan Syrup

This is a herbal syrup that contains herbs such as Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Shyonak (Oroxylum indicum), Rohitaka (Tecomella undulata), Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri), Patol (Trichosanthes diocia), Kasni (Cichorium intybus), etc. These herbs regenerate the liver cells and protect the liver from toxins. It eliminates the toxins from the liver and provides a healthy liver function.

Dosage: 2 tsp twice a day after meals.

3. Liver Detox Formula

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with warm water.

Is there any treatment of Lichen sclerosus in Ayurveda?

Lichen sclerosus is a rare skin disorder that affects the genital and perianal regions. Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. It involves the appearance of white and patchy skin that appears thinner than the normal. The condition tends to recur; hence long-term follow-up caution is needed. It can affect anyone but postmenopausal women are more likely to be affected by it. The symptoms don't improve without treatment.

It is not contagious and cannot be transmitted through sexual intercourse.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LICHEN SCLEROSUS?

The skin of the genital and anal area is mostly affected but in some cases skin of the upper body such as arms, breasts etc. may also be affected. In women, it mostly affects the vulva region.

Some of the common signs and symptoms include:

• Itching, which can be severe
• Redness in the affected area
• Smooth white patches on the skin
• Blotchy or wrinkled patches
• Discomfort or pain
• Painful intercourse
• Bleeding occurs in severe cases

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF LICHEN SCLEROSUS?

The cause of lichen sclerosus is unclear. An overactive immune system or an imbalance of hormones, an infection, or genes may play a role. In a particular site, previous skin damage on the skin may increase the probability of lichen sclerosus at that location.

DIAGNOSIS

Lichen sclerosus can be diagnosed by physical examination as well as by biopsy, in which a small piece of tissue is examined under a microscope.

TREATMENT

Allopathic treatment of lichen sclerosus involves the prescription of immunosuppressive drugs and steroids to inhibit the abnormal immune system response. But, these drugs carry long-term complications by increasing the risk of repeated infections.

COMPLICATIONS

People with lichen sclerosus are at an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the affected area. squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the prevalent form of skin cancer.

HOW AYURVEDA CAN HELP IN THE TREATMENT OF LICHEN SCLEROSUS?

In Ayurveda, lichen sclerosus can be categorized under Kushtha and can be treated by the general principles mentioned in kushtha chikitsa, where the systemic treatment is given according to the dosha dominance.

According to Ayurveda, the nidaan (etiology) of lichen sclerosus is Visha (autoimmune), which usually results from the consumption of incompatible foods, exposure to certain environmental factors, stress etc. Stress also plays an important role as excessive stress vitiates the Rasa Dhatu as well as Rasavaha Srotas, which is responsible for Kapha dushti.

The auto-immune nature of the disease along with Kapha dushti causes kandu (itchy lesion). Hence, the primary dosha involved is Kapha dosha.

Reference: Astanga Hridyam Sutrasthanam, Chapter No. 11, Shloka No. 7

Meaning: In this shloka, the effects of an increase in Kapha dosha are explained. It causes weak digestion, excessive salivation, laziness, the feeling of heaviness, white discoloration, coldness, lose body parts, asthma, cold, cough, and excessive sleep.

HOW PLANET AYURVEDA CAN HELP IN THE TREATMENT OF LICHEN SCLEROSUS?

Planet Ayurveda offers herbal remedies that help to control the worsening of the lesions and restore the natural health of the skin and correct a dysfunction of immune system as well. These remedies consist of detoxifiers that protect the skin tissues. The aim of the treatment is to manage the root cause of illness by regulating and modulating the immune system response, without suppressing it.

Ayurvedic treatment has a better scope for the treatment of lichen sclerosus due to its holistic approach.

Herbal Remedies offered by Planet Ayurveda for the treatment of Lichen Sclerosus are:

1. Manjishtha Capsules
2. Radiant Hair Skin Nail Formula Capsules
3. Curcumin Capsules
4. Nirgundi Oil
5. Gandhak Rasayan

Herbal Remedies for Lichen Sclerosus

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia) Capsules

The standardized extract of the herb is used for the preparation of Planet Ayurveda’s Manjishtha Capsules. This herb is classically categorized under the group of herbs that are good for skin and useful in mitigating Pitta dosha. The anti-inflammatory, blood purifying and immune-boosting properties of this herb help in the treatment of lichen sclerosus.

Dose: 1-2 capsules twice a day with plain water after taking meals.

2. Radiant Skin, Hair & Nails Formula

These capsules by Planet Ayurveda contain are prepared using the natural ingredients that aid in skin repair and growth. They contain the standardized extracts of the herbs that are useful in relieving skin problems without causing any side effects. These capsules help to relieve stubborn skin problems naturally. Stubborn skin problems such as ringworm, psoriasis, lichen sclerosus, acne can be relieved quite effectively by the use of radiant skin hair nails formula capsules.

Ingredients Of Radiant Hair Skin Nail Formula Are:

S. No.	Botanical Name	Indian Name	Quantity
1.	Rubia cordifolia	Manjishtha	200 mg
2.	Fumaria officinalis	Pit papda	100 mg
3.	Swertia chiretta	Chirata	100 mg
4.	Aloe barbadensis	Ghrit Kumari	100 mg

Dose: 1-2 capsules to be taken twice daily with plain water after taking meals.

3. Curcumin Capsules (Curcuma longa)

The standardized extract of curcumin is used for the preparation of Curcumin Capsules. Turmeric is very effective in reducing the pain, white lesions etc. associated with lichen sclerosus due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritis, and anti-bacterial effects. Turmeric also helps in the correction of immunity due to its immune-modulator effects.

Dose: 1-2 capsules to be taken twice daily with plain water after taking meals.

4. Nirgundi Oil

Planet Ayurveda’s Nirgundi Oil is prepared from the leaves of Vitex negundo and processed with other herbs such as Manjishtha, Haridra and Kalihari, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties.  The leaves are a rich source of resins, fragrant and volatile oil. This oil is mainly used as a remedy for skin disorders such as wound healing, boils, eczema etc. This oil also works wonderfully in lichen sclerosus, when applied externally.

How to use: Apply on the affected areas once or twice a day.

5. Gandhak Rasayan

Gandhak Rasayan is a classical Ayurvedic preparation, which contains detoxified sulphur as the main ingredient. Due to the anti-bacterial, anti-viral and blood purifying properties, it is widely used in the treatment of all types of skin problems such as itching and burning sensation. It is due to the fact that underlying pathology, urticaria or hives, acne or pimples etc. Due to its anti-pruritic, demulcent, anti-inflammatory properties, it is quite effective in the treatment of lichen sclerosus.

Dose: 1-2 tablets to be taken twice daily with plain water after taking meals.

Thus, these safe and natural remedies help the patients to prevent the exacerbation of the symptoms and provide great relief by improving the patient's quality of life and preventing the complications such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Contact my assistant to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at - costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214030