Introduction
Ayurveda tips for liver health offer a natural and holistic approach to keeping this vital organ functioning optimally. The liver, the detox powerhouse of our body, plays a vital role in digestion, metabolism, and the elimination of toxins. Therefore, maintaining optimal liver health is essential for preventing serious health conditions like fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Unfortunately, today’s fast-paced life is characterised by poor dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, and mental health issues like stress, which put immense strain on this vital organ.
Ayurveda, the ancient medical system of India, provides a safe and holistic approach to maintaining optimal health. It offers profound insights into preventing life-threatening liver diseases through a balanced diet and lifestyle practices. In this blog, we will explore some fundamental Ayurveda tips for liver care, the adverse impact of the modern lifestyle and some pragmatic steps to keep your liver healthy.
Table of Contents
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. It must not be treated as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any medications or regimes discussed herein.
Common Causes of Liver Diseases
- Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption is a world-renowned cause of conditions like cirrhosis.
- Viral infection: Viruses, like hepatitis B and C, can lead to chronic liver damage.
- Drug-Induced Liver Injury: Certain drugs and medications can cause liver diseases as they may contain toxins harmful to the liver.
- Excess Fat: Some of the excess fat in the body can get stored in the liver cells, leading to fatty liver disease.
- Autoimmune Disorders: Autoimmune diseases can cause the body’s immunity to attack the liver, leading to inflammation and damage.
- High Sugar Intake: A study found that individuals who consumed more sugar-sweetened beverages had a significantly higher risk of liver-related health issues than those who consumed lesser amounts.
Did you know?
Out of all types of sugar, fructose is the most dangerous. Many MNCs in India market their food products with labels like “No Added Sugar” or “Zero Sugar Content,” despite adding fructose to their products. Fructose is primarily metabolized in the liver, which may result in fat accumulation in liver cells, leading to fatty liver disease.
Causes of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: An Ayurvedic Perspective
- Imbalance in Doshas: Ayurveda believes that the body is governed by three doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. An imbalance, especially in the excessive accumulation of Kapha and Pitta, may lead to the accumulation of undigested toxins (ama), causing impairment of liver function.
- Poor Dietary Habits: According to Ayurveda, one should only eat food that is suitable for one’s digestion and body type. There are several kinds of foods which may cause liver damage.
- Heavy (guru) foods
- Unctuous (snigdha) foods
- Excessively sour (amla) and salty (lavana) foods disrupt and impair liver function.
- Incompatible food combinations (viruddhahara): Ayurveda recognizes that certain food combinations are detrimental to health and act like slow poison.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of proper exercise and a sedentary lifestyle often lead to the accumulation of fat in the liver. Ayurveda recommends regular exercise to prevent toxins from accumulating in the body.
- Suppression of Natural Urges: Ayurveda recommends honoring the natural urges of the body, like the urge to urinate, to defecate, and to sleep. Suppressing these urges lead to the disruption of the body’s natural rhythm and contributes to the accumulation of ama (undigested toxins), which are harmful for the liver and other vital organs.
- Emotional Factors: The Ayurvedic system of medicine identifies the connection between mind and body. Negative emotions like stress, anxiety, anger, and grief can harmfully impact liver function.
- Weak Digestion: When the digestive fire is weak, food is not properly metabolized which can lead to the accumulation of ama (undigested toxins) in the liver.
Ayurvedic Liver Health Remedies
- Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Fresh Amla, or Amalaki, is one of the best Ayurvedic medicines which rejuvenates the entire body and pacifies all three doshas. Although, it is primarily sour, it has all the other tastes (except salty) making it a balancing supplement. It’s cooling nature pacifies Pitta which is the primary cause of liver diseases.
- Buttermilk: Drinking buttermilk medicated with Ayurvedic formulations like Trikatu is considered pathyakar (advisable) in Ayurveda for some liver diseases. Whisk curd with half the amount of water, separate butter from the mix and add a little amount of Trikatu. 150ml of buttermilk is enough for a day. Avoid drinking it in hot conditions.
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- Right Salt: Salt should be consumed only in limited quantities. Those who are suffering from liver-related health issues should avoid eating excess salt. Saidhava Lavana (Rock Salt) is a better alternative to common salt.
- Right Pungent: Excessively hot and pungent food items are also harmful for liver. You can use black pepper and long pepper instead of chillies to your meals as they are beneficial for liver function in small amounts.
- Avoid Day-time Sleep: According to Ayurveda, sleeping during the day can be detrimental for the liver as it aggravates unctuousness (snigdha) in the body. Therefore, it is advisable to sleep early and wake up early in the morning.
- Best Cooking Oil: Although oily foods should generally be avoided to maintain liver health, when it comes to cooking oil, sesame oil is the best option. It is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for maintaining liver health when consumed in moderation.
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Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed some of the best Ayurveda tips for liver health. This is useful for those who are suffering from any kind of liver-related health issues, and also for those who are healthy but want to ensure that their liver stays healthy. However, it is advisable to consult a qualified Ayurveda doctor before following any of the medications and regimes discussed in this article.
