Digestive Health More Digestive Diseases Natural Remedies for Fatty Liver Prevention By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO on November 18, 2019 linkedin Rochelle Collins, DO, is a board-certified family medicine doctor currently practicing in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Review Board Rochelle Collins, DO on November 18, 2019 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Healthy Weight Cleanse Your Body Antioxidants Herbal Medicine Causes Treatment Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an increasingly common condition marked by an accumulation of fat in the liver cells. In some cases, fatty liver can cause inflammation and scarring and even lead to liver failure or cirrhosis. Nina Dermawan / Getty Images 1) Maintain a Healthy Weight Sticking to a healthy, plant-based diet and getting regular exercise can keep fat from building up in your liver. 2) Cleanse Your Body of Toxins Exposure to toxins (found in industrial chemicals, some medications, and even your food) can weaken liver function and may contribute to the development of fatty liver. In addition to keeping away from toxic substances, consider flushing toxins from your system with the help of a detox diet. 3) Get Your Antioxidants Vitamins E and C — both antioxidants — may help promote liver health. In a 2005 study, scientists discovered that taking supplements of vitamins E and C helped lower participants' levels of enzymes that are typically elevated in people with fatty liver disease. 4) Try Herbal Medicine A traditional remedy for liver problems, milk thistle may boost the production of enzymes that help the liver knock out toxins. However, it's important to note that the FDA has not approved the use of milk thistle for improving liver health. Before you begin taking any kind of herb, you should find out how to use supplements safely. What Causes Fatty Liver? Often occurring in people who are overweight or obese, fatty liver has been linked to diabetes, high levels of blood fats, and insulin resistance. In fact, a 2009 study suggests that approximately 70% of people with type-2 diabetes may have fatty liver and that the disease might follow a more aggressive course for diabetes patients. Standard blood tests at your doctor's office should indicate whether you have high levels of certain liver enzymes, a marker of fatty liver. Treatment Although there is no way to treat fatty liver medically, losing weight and lowering your levels of blood fats could help manage the condition. Keeping fatty liver in check is crucial to your overall health: A study published in 2008 show that excess liver fat can leave you more vulnerable to cardiovascular disease, in addition to diabetes. A Word From Verywell Due to a lack of supporting research, it's too soon to recommend alternative medicine for any health condition. If you're considering the use of any form of alternative medicine for fatty liver, make sure to consult your physician first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Ersöz G, Günşar F, Karasu Z, Akay S, Batur Y, Akarca US. Management of fatty liver disease with vitamin E and C compared to ursodeoxycholic acid treatment. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2005;16(3):124-8. Cusi K. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2009;16(2):141-9. doi:10.1097/MED.0b013e3283293015 Deivanayagam S, Mohammed BS, Vitola BE, et al. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with hepatic and skeletal muscle insulin resistance in overweight adolescents. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;88(2):257-62. doi:10.1093/ajcn/88.2.257