Last Updated on 31 December 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
Fatty Liver is the most common chronic liver disease in the Western world, and it is most commonly detected in people aged between 30 to 50. (1)
There are 2 types – Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). In both types, the cells of the liver become ‘Fatty’. Fatty Liver disease is potentially a reversible condition(2); however, if left unmanaged, it can lead to more severe liver disease.
NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis) develops when alongside fat, inflammation of the Liver is more apparent and can progress to much more severe complications, including scarring of the Liver. In its most severe forms of progression, cirrhosis and some instances, liver failure can occur, meaning that this condition may lead to end-stage liver disease. (2) Fatty Liver also carries an increased risk of developing diabetes or becoming more prone to a heart attack or stroke (3)
Symptoms sometimes include fatigue and pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen (namely, around the liver). There may be no associated symptoms in many cases, and specific testing is needed to diagnose.
Investigations leading to confirmed Fatty Liver diagnosis include:
- Standard testing via a GP
- Electrolyte/ Liver Function Test (E/LFT) This looks at liver enzymes, which may be raised in the presence of fatty liver but not in every case
- CRP (C-reactive protein) when elevated indicates inflammation present but is not specific to fatty liver
- Liver Ultrasound will detect the presence of fatty liver
- Liver Biopsy may be required in some cases to assess the extent of damage to the liver and rule out other pathologies
Fatty Liver Risk Factors: (1) (3) (4)
- Being overweight or obese
- Poor diet high in fructose
- Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, Insulin Resistance and/or Metabolic Syndrome
- Cardiovascular diseases including high cholesterol
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Underactive thyroid
- Toxin exposure
- Alcohol intake
How Naturopathy can help
The Liver has over 500 known functions. (5) Naturally, Naturopaths are aware of their vital role in good health and vitality. Fatty Liver Disease is potentially a reversible condition (2), and much can be done using a naturopathic approach to improve overall health as well as Liver health specifically
A Naturopath can help to:
- open the dialogue to assist with consulting with your GP if FLD is suspected, including referral requesting your GP to authorise specific tests or referral directly for tests (E/LFT and CRP) if required
- once the diagnosis is confirmed assist with questions and concerns
- give Nutrition advice with the prescribed diet
- prescribe nutrients to treat deficiencies associated with poor liver function and where there may be increased demands for specific nutrients
- prescribe herbal medicines with clinical evidence to support their use specifically in the treatment of fatty liver
- support digestive health and improve liver function
- weight management
- prevention strategies to help to ensure that the condition does not worsen
- further investigations and/or co-management to ensure diabetes, insulin resistance, cardiovascular health, thyroid conditions and PCOS are also identified and if so, managed with a tailored treatment
- support with alcohol cessation where required
- arrange for further functional testing if desired, these tests are only available privately via a naturopath to provide additional relevant information, e.g. Liver Detoxification Profile
If you have Fatty Liver or suspect that you might, we encourage you to pursue better health and feel reassured, knowing that much can be done to achieve better health outcomes.
Want to learn more? We have these Blogs that may also interest you. Click HERE or HERE
Our Amazing Naturopaths at Brisbane Livewell Clinic
Shella Hall (Sunshine Coast and online)
Amy Angus (Wavell Heights and online)
Jen Strachan (Cannon Hill and online)
Nicole Odlum (Wavell Heights and online)
Dominique Johanson (Wavell Heights and online)
Locations We Service – Naturopathy
Naturopath Caloundra
Naturopath Wavell Heights
Naturopath Cannon Hill
Naturopath Sunshine Coast
Naturopath Brisbane Northside
Naturopath Brisbane
Naturopaths Brisbane
Brisbane Naturopaths
Naturopathy Brisbane
Naturopaths Near Me
Best Naturopaths Near Me
Best Naturopath Near Me
Relevant Naturopath links
Why You May Wish to Consult a Naturopath
Gut Health
- Gut Health
- Solving Gut Issues by Treating SIBO
- SIBO Test Brisbane
- Daily Ritual Gut Health
- 6 Digestive Problems that Cause Weight Gain
- How Stool Testing Helps IBS Sufferers Part 1: Digestive Markers
- How Stool Testing Helps IBS Sufferers Part 2: Microbial Markers
- Gut Health with Parasite Cleanse
- Natural Parasite Cleanse Australia
- The Gut-Brain Connection to Mental Health
- The Gut-Brain Connection: How to Feed Your Brain
- Controlling Constipation and Bloating
- How Stool Testing Helps Find the Causes of IBS and Other Digestive Health Problems
- Gut Health Brisbane
- Gut Health Specialist Brisbane
Hormone Health and Thyroid Issues
- Hormonal Health and Thyroid Issues
- PCOS and the Insulin Connection
- Identifying Insulin Resistance
- Looking at Luteal Phase Deficiency
- Experiencing Painful Periods? Here’s What Might Be Causing It
- When You Suspect You Have Thyroid Issues
- Subclinical Hypothyroidism: When You Suspect You Have a Thyroid Issue
- Thyroid Disorders from a Naturopathic Aspect
- Thyroid Health for the Winter Months
- Thyroid Disease: A Brief Guide to Common Disorders
- Naturopathic Thyroid Specialist Near Me
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s
- Thyroid
- Hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease
Detox and Cleansing
- Heavy Metal Toxicity: Strategies for Detoxing
- Detoxing Your Lifestyle, Not Just Your Body
- Heavy Metal Detox for Kids
- Naturopathic Detox Cleanse
- Naturopath Detox
- Do I Need a Heavy Metal Detox?
- Heavy Metal Detox Australia
Insomnia and Sleep Health
- Save Your Sleep with What You Eat
- Insomnia Linked to Mineral Deficiency
- Solving Insomnia: Naturopathy’s Five-Step Solution
- 5 Ways Insomnia Can Affect Your Life and What You Can Do About It
- Natural Treatment for Insomnia
- Naturopathic Remedies for Insomnia
Autoimmune Conditions
Mental Health
- The Gut-Brain Connection to Mental Health
- The Gut-Brain Connection: How to Feed Your Brain
- Treating Depression with Naturopathy: What You Should Consider
- A Naturopath’s Guide to Improving Mental Health
- Naturopathic Anxiety Medication
- Naturopath Anxiety
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): How a Naturopath Helps
- Pyrrole Disorder
Women’s Health
- Women’s Health
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Naturopath Women’s Health
- Women’s Health Week: It’s All About Women’s Wellness and Wellbeing
- Treating Vaginal Thrush the Natural Way
- The Lowdown on Low Libido
- Regulating Menstrual Cycles with Chaste Tree
- Painful Periods and Naturopathy
- Preventing Post-Pill Acne
Fertility and Pregnancy
- Pregnancy
- Pre-Pregnancy Fertility Care with Naturopathic Nutrition
- Fertility Naturopath Brisbane
- Acupuncture and Naturopathy for Pre-Conception Care
- Pregnancy Care and Naturopathy
- Maximising Nutrition Before and During Pregnancy
- Getting Quality Sleep in the 3rd Trimester of Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Wellbeing and Naturopathy are Great Partners
- Naturopathy for the Management of Constipation During Pregnancy
- Prenatal Naturopath
- Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
- Keeping Calm About Colic
Men’s Health
- Men’s Health
- The Sperm Health Decline
- Better Prostate Health with Natural Medicine
- Naturopathy and Men’s Health
- Support Your Thyroid Health Naturally
DNA Testing
- DNA Testing & Personalised Medicine
- DNA Testing Brisbane
- DNA Testing Brisbane, Australia
- Methylation Test Near Me
- Testing Functional Medicine
- Genetic Methylation Test Brisbane
- DUTCH Test Providers Near Me
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Food Intolerances and Allergies
- 7 Useful Strategies for Overcoming Food Intolerance
- Hayfever and the Gastrointestinal Immune System
- Food Intolerance, Hypersensitivity, and Allergies Explained
- Everything You Need to Know About Food Intolerance
- Food Allergy Testing Near Me
- Food Intolerance Testing Brisbane
- Food Allergy Testing
- Food Intolerance Testing
- Food Intolerance Testing Package
Weight Loss
- Can Irritable Bowel Syndrome Cause Weight Gain? (IBS)
- Naturopathy for Weight Loss
- Natural Weight Loss for Summer
- A Naturopathic Approach to Achieving an Ideal and Healthy Weight
- Intermittent Fasting: A Naturopath’s Guide to Success
- Weight Loss Naturopath
- Kick-Start Weight Loss: 5 Science-Backed Tips
- Combining Therapies for a Healthy Weight
- Naturopath’s Weight Loss Programme
Nutrition and Mineral Deficiencies
- Nutrition and Naturopathy: Healthy Diet
- Optimising Nutrition for Skin Health
- The Seriousness of Sugar
- The Importance of Mindfulness and Meditation in Natural Medicine
- Nutrition Deficiency: Visible Body Look Signs
- Helping Cardiovascular Disease in Women
- Sports Nutrition and Your Ideal Protein Requirements
- Creating a Healthy Diet for Good Health and Wellbeing
- Maximising Nutrition Before and During Pregnancy
- Nutrition and Naturopathy: Healthy Diet
- Combining Therapies for a Healthy Weight
- Intermittent Fasting: A Naturopath’s Guide to Success
- Iron Deficiency and Anaemia: When Things Go from Bad to Worse
- Naturopathic Medicine: What You Need to Know
- National Herbal Medicine Week
- The Role of Nutrition and Naturopathy in Wellbeing