Many people today are suffering from liver challenges and diseases which could be from various sources such as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is a liver condition that affects people who drink very little to no alcohol. This is where too much fat builds up in our livers and can cause pain, unusual extreme fatigue and weakness in the body. The liver can eventually become scarred and that is called cirrhosis. If cirrhosis gets worse over time it becomes known as a form of fatty liver disease called nonalcoholic steatophepatitis or NASH. The Mayo Clinic article proposes that there is a movement (I suppose that is a movement within the medical community) to change the name of NAFLD to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) or similar (1).
Mayo Clinic states that about 100 million people are afflicted with NAFLD. It is critically important to take care of your liver. Medical research is unclear on what causes the disease but have associated it with many risk factors that increase your chance of getting NAFLD, some include having polycystic ovary syndrome, being insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism, metabolic syndrome. However, people who after being diagnosed with having one of these risk factors, oftentimes their medical provider informs them to change their diet and lifestyle behaviors. Holistic practitioners and some medical providers have encouraged a vegan way of eating and living to include a daily movement practice.
Many holistic health coaches of various modalities (chiropractor, acupuncturist, herbalist, vegan coaches, yoga, breathwork & meditation coaches) all encourage a plant-based eating style when seeking to go towards optimal health. Additionally, all medical practitioners encourage a daily simple movement practice for well-being and fitness. These practitioners know that to have a positive health effect on the body naturally, is to utilize herbs and beneficial foods, for nutritional optimal health. Holistic health practitioners know that a lifestyle change can positively affect the health of the previously stated risk factors and that it then may be deduced further to having positive effects on the liver and reducing exposure to these two liver diseases mentioned above.
One herb that has an affinity to supporting the liver health is this month’s herb spotlight Milk Thistle. Milk Thistle is a powerful antioxidant that helps to fight the damaging effects of free radicals or helping to remove any age-related diseases.
Milk Thistle
Latin Name: Silybum marianum
Family: Asteraceae
Part Used: Seeds, leaves, aerial portions
Flavor: Sweet, bitter
Energy: Cool or neutral to some
Growing Conditions: Milk Thistle grows well in any well-drained soil in a sunny spot. Propagation is by seed; the plant self-sows freely.
Milk Thistle seeds can be used effectively both as a restorative agent and as a preventive tonic herb for the liver.
I hope that this introductory spotlight on the herb, Milk Thistle inspired you to do a little more research into its natural health benefits!
Please note: As with any herb/herb supplement it is recommended that you talk with your physician prior to use and any therapeutic additions to your personal health care routine.
References:
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354567 (1998-2023)
To Your Best Health!
Dr. Tee
8 December 2023
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