The Liver is the most essential part of the body which works as a medium to convert food into the body’s energy. Without a doubt, this is known to everyone reading this, but what is special in this blog is the prevalent liver disease and recovering it with simple yoga steps. This will not trouble you, instead will ease you with minimal effort at any corner of your house.
The disease we are talking about is fatty liver. Under this condition, the liver develops excessive fat in and around which is also known as hepatic steatosis. Now you might be thinking that the liver works for storing fat in the body then how the fat harms the liver. Well to clarify this, there is an idiom used- Excess of everything is harmful.
Before proceeding to this let’s discuss some major roles and functioning of the liver which is the second largest organ of the body and an important one too.
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The liver secretes some fluids called bile which helps to break fats in simplified form and digest.
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The liver purifies the blood containing nutrients used by the body afterwards.
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It works to remove the toxins from the body.
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The liver controls the sugar levels in the body and regulates it when in excess.
The Ayurvedic treatment for fatty liver depends on the principle of balancing body, mind, and soul. For this, it includes yoga asanas, diet, and a healthy lifestyle. Moving further let’s discuss the best yoga asanas that will help you to convert a fatty liver into a healthy one.
Understanding Fatty Liver Disease
As described earlier fatty liver develops with excessive fat depositing in it. Fatty liver has two types:
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Alcoholic Fatty Liver
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Non- Alcoholic Fatty Liver
The alcoholic liver as the name describes is the fatty liver disease caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. The harmful toxins assemble around the liver and start damaging and restricting liver functions.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease involves several conditions behind it. It can be due to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, use of certain drugs, metabolic disorders, or hepatitis C infection.
What does untreated fatty liver lead to?
Some of you might not care about your liver health or some are addicted to alcohol, and may not think how serious this issue is. But let me aware you of what stages the fatty liver moves with speed if not timely treated.
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Stage 1- Fatty Liver
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Stage 2- Non- Alcoholic steatohepatitis
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Stage 3- Fibrosis
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Stage 4- Cirrhosis
At last, a person experiences blood vomits where the liver completely shuts itself from working. Here, what most doctors suggest is a liver transplant. So, why even face such situations when it can easily be controlled early? Correct your food, alter your lifestyle, and most importantly perform yoga asanas.
The Role of Yoga in Fatty Liver
Yoga plays an extended role in the body apart from weight management. Well, it is important to perform routine exercise and yoga but unfortunately, in the fast-paced life, you or anybody else does not follow it. Rather it is being adopted only when a problem arises or you are in trouble with health. Is what you do right?
Till you think of the answer and bring change to your everyday life, let’s discuss the important yoga asanas that will relieve you of fatty liver disease. The body movements during yoga emphasize removing excessive fat from the liver and further relieving you. Along with this other benefits are:
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Reducing inflammation in the liver
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Lowering stress on the liver
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Help in liver detoxification
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Improve blood circulation
Though all yoga asanas are good for improving health but here are some of the best yoga for liver that will help you:
Along with the below described Yoga Asanas you can also follow these home remedies for fatty Liver suggested by the Ayurvedic Experts of Dr. Sharda Ayurvedic Hospital
1. Kapalbhati Pranayama
Improving overall digestive issues, Kapalbharti Pranayama is considered one of the amazing yoga asanas for liver health. This pranayama enhances metabolism and regulates blood circulation in the whole body resulting in liver stimulation and lowering the negative effects of fatty liver.
Method to Perform
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Sit with folded legs; a straight spine and an unstrained neck.
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Keep your hands on your knees with palms upward.
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Now inhale deeply.
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Pull your stomach and navel back towards the spine on the exhaling step. Do this comfortably as much as you can.
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Now relax and you will observe that your lungs fill with air automatically.
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Repeat this about 20 times in one Kapalbharti session.
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Do 2-3 sessions each day and feel the positive changes to your fatty liver.
2. Dhanurasana or Bow Pose
Bow pose or dhanurasana reflects on stimulating digestive health by increasing the functioning of organs. It fosters blood circulation along with massaging the stomach organs. If you perform it daily you will observe that it also boosts energy and regulates the hormones for liver functioning.
Method to Perform
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Lay down on the yoga mat upside down.
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Now bring your legs backward in a way touching the buttocks.
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Hold and grab the ankles with your hands.
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Then place your chin on the floor. Try to keep your knees firmly on the ground and arms straight during practice.
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Lift the legs with your hands and face upwards as much as you can just like a U shape.
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Once you start feeling the stretch, hold the position for about 30-60 seconds according to your comfort.
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Now, release your hands from the ankle, and with your hands relax.
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Repeat this for about 10-15 times every day to get results.
3. Gomukhasana or Cow Face Pose
To elaborate on the benefits of this pose, it is crucial to understand first. The cow face pose when added to daily routine will increase the blood circulation in the body and extensively help the shoulder muscles to work. It also helps to stimulate liver and kidney functions.
Method to Perform
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Sit on the yoga mat, and cross legs as shown in the picture.
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Sit straight and keep your spine erect.
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Now take your left hand over your shoulders at the back and place the other hand at the back of your hips. (if possible try to join both of your palms)
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Hold the pose for about 5-12 seconds.
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Repeat this about 15-20 times altering the hands.
4. Naukasana or Boat Pose
Regulating the function of the liver, kidney, and pancreas, this pose helps to reduce belly fat and strengthen the abdominal muscles. It is also good for diabetic patients to regulate their sugar levels.
Method to Perform
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Lie straight on the yoga mat and keep your hands on either side of the body.
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Take a deep breath and when you exhale, lift your chest and at the same time lift your feet at 45 degrees. Along with this stretch your arms towards the feet.
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Feel the stretch at your navel area and maintain the prose while breathing regularly.
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Hold the position for about 15-20 seconds and then return to the relaxing position.
5. Shashankasana or Hare Pose
Performing yoga for liver problem produces extra beneficial effects which help in stimulating liver functions. It works internally and externally as this pose will strengthen the pelvic muscles and relieve constipation. Moreover, it reduces anger and frustration.
Method to Perform
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Sit in the position of Vajrasana. (legs folded beneath thighs)
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By placing your palms on top of your thighs, practice deep breathing.
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As you exhale, fold your above body from your hips and bend forward. (keep your arms straight in front of your head)
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Hold the position for 10 seconds and touch your chin or nose on the ground.
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Return to the initial position and relax.
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Now repeat this for almost 15-20 times.
6. Bhujangasana
This process helps stimulate the liver functions and stretch the abdomen by aiding in detoxification; and improving digestion. Incorporate this in a daily wellness routine which is a significant way to support liver health.
Method to Perform
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Start by lying upside down and keep your toes pointed outwards (away from you).
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Place the hands on the yoga mat under your shoulders.
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While inhaling gently, lift your chest off the mat.
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Straightening your both arms, arch your back comfortably.
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Hold the position for a few breaths and then relax to the initial position.
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Repeat this step for about 15-20 times.
Additional Lifestyle Tips for Fatty Liver Health
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Try to maintain a healthy weight in accordance to avoid fatty liver. Even if you have a fatty liver, then maintaining weight will help you to eradicate the related problems.
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Avoid consuming alcohol if you do so because it will make the condition worse for the liver.
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Stay away from extra sugary and saturated fat-containing food items. It will put stress on the liver which further hinders it from functioning properly.
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Also, work on maintaining good cholesterol levels.
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If you have diabetes, then be aware and maintain it to avoid fatty liver.
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Always take a healthy diet, skip all non-vegetarian food, and stick to a plant-based healthy diet full of green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits.
Conclusion
Here is an amazing trick to recover the fatty liver and stop it from getting into worse stages. It is none other than yoga. Yoga when incorporated correctly at the right time produces miracable results on liver health. Along with this, it is important to consult an Ayurvedic expert to get the diet chart, medicines, and other lifestyle amendments. If you also suffer like this and searching for the best Ayurvedic doctor, then Dr. Sharda Ayurveda is the best choice for you. A personalized consultation with top-notch qualified and experienced doctors will guide you for fatty liver. Here you will get wholesome treatment with all facilities under one roof. So, do not delay and start your health journey with Ayurveda.