The liver is the second largest organ in the body after the skin. A healthy liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile. Bile helps to break down fats, preparing them for further digestion and absorption. All of the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. The liver processes this blood and breaks down, balances, and creates nutrients for the body to use. It also metabolizes drugs in the blood into forms that are easier for the body to utilize. When the liver has broken down harmful substances, they are excreted into the bile or blood. Bile by-products enter the intestine and ultimately leave the body in faeces, while blood by-products are filtered out by the kidneys and leave the body in the form of urine.

Is Your Liver Functioning Optimally?

There are many kinds of diseases that can damage the liver, such as hepatitis and alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, of late, a new type of liver disease has rapidly emerged as the most prevalent liver disorder not only in developed countries, but also in the developing countries. It is known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Globally, one in four adults suffers from NAFLD, In Asia, an estimated 20% to 30% of the adult population has it. It is the leading cause of chronic liver disease and the third-most-common reason for liver transplants in the United States. Closer to home, recent studies show that NAFLD could well be affecting half of the adults in Malaysia and Singapore.

What is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)?

NAFLD, is the term for a range of conditions caused by a build-up of extra fat in the liver that is not caused by alcohol. At the very early stages, NAFLD starts with simple fatty liver, which is not alarming to the human body. However, if it is not managed properly, the fat accumulation gradually infiltrates the healthy liver areas, causing less healthy liver tissue to remain. This can lead to a more serious liver disease called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with varying degrees of inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) of the liver.

If left untreated, NASH may progress to permanent scarring and hardening of the liver, a condition called liver cirrhosis which can lead to liver failure. People with liver cirrhosis also have a higher risk of suffering from liver cancer.

The liver is a unique organ that is able to self-repair and self-regenerate. If liver damage is detected early enough, NAFLD and NASH are reversible with dietary and lifestyle adjustments. Cirrhosis in its earlier stages may also be reversible if the underlying causes can be treated. On the other hand, cirrhosis in its advanced stages is usually irreversible, and severe cases may involve a liver transplant.

Who is at Risk of NAFLD?

You are at an increased risk of NAFLD if you:

• are obese or overweight – particularly if you have a lot of fat around your waist and abdomen. Studies have shown that 80% of obese people have NAFLD.
• have type 2 diabetes – studies have shown that 70% of people with diabetes have fatty liver disease.
• have metabolic syndrome.
• have high blood pressure.
• have high cholesterol.
• are over the age of 50; however, NAFLD is on the rise in younger population.
• smoke.

Signs & Symptoms

What makes NAFLD especially lethal is its lack of symptoms. Due to its silent nature, 80% of people with NAFLD are unaware of their condition -meaning it is often not discovered until it is too late.

Early NAFLD usually shows no symptoms. In its later stages, one may experience the following:

• Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• Bloatedness
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the right upper abdomen

In the most advanced stage (cirrhosis), one may suffer from more severe symptoms such as nausea, jaundice, itchy skin, poor concentration, and swelling in the legs, ankles, feet or abdomen.

The liver does not have nerves; therefore one would not feel any pain or know it is sick until it is often too late. Once the liver is badly damaged, it can be fatal to the body.

Early diagnosis and intervention is needed to prevent fatty liver disease from becoming something more serious, like liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Blood tests, while not conclusive, can give a preliminary indication on overall liver function. Using imaging such as ultrasound, CT and MRI, doctors will be able to examine the state of the fatty liver and its complications, if any. Some may require a liver biopsy.

Managing NAFLD

The root causes of NAFLD are poisons and nutritional imbalances. Let us start protecting and strengthening our livers through the following regime:

Dr. Lynn Tan’s Detoxification & Rejuvenation Programme (DRP) and NewLife™ Health Building Programme (NHBP)

Make DRP followed by the NHBP a part of your health building regime to give your body and liver a new start!

DRP + NHBP is a complete regime combining both ancient and present methods of natural internal cleansing and rebuilding of the body. Through detoxifying herbs and health building superfoods, the DRP effectively detoxifies your liver, purifies your blood, cleanses your clogged-up colon, and restores nutritional, hormonal and metabolic balance to your body.

During the DRP + NHBP, toxins from different parts of the body are stirred up and flushed out into the bloodstream. Coffee enemas are essentia! during the programmes as they help to remove toxins and dead cells from the blood, the liver and the bowels quickly.

When toxins and wastes are removed and nutritional deficiency is corrected through the DRP + NHBP, your body will naturally be in a position to heal itself.

Tips for maintaining a healthy liver:

1. Cut down on carbohydrates.
2. Eliminate refined sugar, For example, no sugar in coffee; skip sweetened beverages and go for plain water; have a slice of fruit instead, if you must end your meal with a dessert.
3. Cut unhealthy fat intake. Limit your intake of deep-fried foods. Avoid pastries as they are high in fat, especially trans-fats.
4. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
5. Regular exercise with each session lasting at least 30 minutes. It can be any form of exercise but it should at least raise the pulse rate moderately.
6. Stop consuming alcohol. NAFLD is not caused by alcohol, but drinking may make the condition worse. Every drop of alcohol burdens and intoxicates your liver. The accumulation of alcohol in your body can destroy cells, eventually leading to liver diseases.
7. Be wise about medications. Medications can burden your liver as it needs to work extra hard to metabolize them and filter out any toxic residue. Take prescribed or over-the-counter drugs only when needed. Follow the dosage recommended to you and avoid combining medications.
8. Quit smoking – Doing so can also help reduce your risk of other problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
9. Take liver-strengthening supplements like Liverin. Liverin is specifically formulated to protect and strengthen your liver. It contains milk thistle seed extract (80% silymarin). dandelion root, artichoke extract, burdock root, and celery seed extract. The combination of these powerful herbs improves your liver in various ways:
   • Rebuilds liver cells and removes toxins.
   • Powerful anti-oxidant to combat free radicals and oxidative stress, lowering inflammation and the risk of liver damage and other degenerative diseases.
   • Reverses liver damage caused by medicines, excessive alcohol consumption as well as the effects of pollutants found in the environment.
   • Stimulates the liver to increase bile flow, which carries away wastes and breaks down fats during digestion.

Liverin is a must-have supplement to boost your liver health!