Fatty Liver and Diabetes

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Fatty Liver & Diabetes: What It Means 

Fatty liver disease is a condition in which too much fat accumulates in liver cells. Diabetes is a condition where your body cannot use or make insulin properly. These two conditions are interlinked.

How Are Fatty Liver And Diabetes Connected?

Ayurveda suggests that fatty liver and diabetes are closely related to metabolic disorders. Both are connected with weak Agni (digestive fire), which creates Ama (toxins) and disrupts the Kapha dosha and Meda dhatu (fat tissue).

In Ayurveda, fatty liver and diabetes are viewed as Santarpanjanya Vyadhi; these are medical conditions caused by heavy diets, over-nourishment, and lack of physical activity. Ayurveda views Prameha (diabetes) as Nidanarthakara Roga, which directly affects Yakrit Roga negatively.  

Who Is Affected And Risk Factors

Ayurveda says people with different doshic imbalances are affected most. Some of the common doshas are:

• Kapha-Dominant Prakriti: People with Kapha dosha are naturally prone to slow metabolism and fluid retention.
• People with a sedentary lifestyle: People with a poor lifestyle, no movement, and working in high-stress environments.
• Genetic inheritance (Bija dosha): Those who have a long (family) history of metabolic disorders. 
• Old-aged people: Age naturally can lead to Meda and Kapha dosha, which can cause diabetes (Madhumeh) and liver disorders (Yakrit roga).

Risk Factors Include

According to Ayurveda, the root causes of these diseases are connected with an unhealthy lifestyle and Apathya (dietary choices) that disrupt Kapha dosha, which can cause Yakrit Roga.

Some common risk factors are:

• Santarpanjanya Vyadhi: Heavy diets, over-nourishment, and lack of physical activity can lead to a high risk of Yakrit Roga.
• Abhisyandi Ahara: Eating unbalanced food like dairy products, junk food, oily, refined, and processed foods can increase the risk of kapha dosha.
• Madhura: Adding too much sugar to the diet in the form of artificial sweeteners, beverages, cold drinks, and shakes, etc., can increase the risk of Madhumeh (diabetes)
• Madhya: Consuming too much alcohol can cause Yakrit Roga or permanent Meda Roga (tissue damage). 
• Ati- Chinta: Mental fatigue can disrupt Vata dosha and Agni (digestive fire), which can increase the risk of Madhumeh and Yakritroga.
• Avyayam: Lack of Physical activity can increase the risk of doshik imbalance, which is directly associated with type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms

How It Is Diagnosed

According to Ayurveda, these conditions are diagnosed by using a multi-step Ayurvedic assessment that focuses on organ health. These assessments include:

• Darshana (Observation), Sparshana (Palpation), and Prashana (Interrogation): In this, the doctor observes the physical marks (dark spots) on the patient's skin, in advanced cases feels the abdomen, and understands the patient's lifestyle, sleep patterns, and appetite, etc., by interrogating them.
• Nadi Pariksha: It helps in understanding the movement of Vatta, Pitta, and Kapha by reading the pulse. This is part of Ashtavidha Pariksha.
• Technical methods: Methods including Abdominal ultrasound, LFTs such as ALT and AST, and Metabolic blood profile tests can help in understanding this problem better. 

Ayurvedic Management

Ayurveda focuses on Sroto-shodhana, which aims to clear root blockages. This process helps balance Agni (digestive fire) and scrapes the excess fat. It includes:

• Panchkarma (purification)
• Herbal remedies
• Pathya (dietary changes)

Dietary Management Habits According To Ayurveda:

• Avoid eating Vidahi (spicy) and Abhishyandi (heavy and sticky) food.
• Instead of refined rice and wheat, consume ancient, scraping grains like barley (Yava), millet, and quinoa. 
• Consume vegetables like bitter gourd, fenugreek, pointed gourd (Parwal), and leafy greens to balance Agni and detox excess lipids.

Prevention Or Progression

Ayurveda focuses on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing the accumulation of Meda (fat tissue) and Ama (toxins) and balancing Agni (digestive fire). Here’s how you can prevent the risk:

• Understanding the connection
• Eat according to your Agni (digestive fire)
• Manage excess weight
• Stay physically fit
• Be careful with medicines
• Maintain a daily routine

Red Flags 

Although this disease can remain silent for a long period of time, certain red flags should not be ignored. If you notice any of these, book Jiva’s free Ayurvedic consultation now:  

• Constant high blood sugar or frequent fluctuations.
• Unexpected weight loss & weight gain
• Extreme fatigue
• Swelling or pain in the abdomen 
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
• Severe vomiting, nausea, and brain fog
• Dark or frequent urination  

Reference

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Diabetes: Part II: Treatment - PMC

Fighting Fatty Liver | NIH News in Health

Diabetes | CDC

Type 2 Diabetes | MedlinePlus

About Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes

Insulin Resistance & Prediabetes - NIDDK