Short Answer: Turmeric is good for fatty liver. Because it has curcumin, which can reduce liver inflammation, prevent liver fibrosis, and protect liver cells from oxidative stress.
In fatty liver, your body stores excess fat in your liver cells.
This can lead to inflammation, scarring, and damage to your liver.
This can cause various health problems, such as cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
One of the key factors in managing fatty liver is diet.
What you consume can affect your liver function, which can impact your fatty liver symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage fatty liver, you should consume fiber-rich foods like oats, fruits, and vegetables and avoid saturated fat-rich foods like red meat, cheese, and butter.
Now, turmeric is a spice that comes from the root of the curcuma longa plant. It has a yellow color and a bitter flavor.
People usually use it to flavor and color curries, soups, and other dishes.
Turmeric is good for fatty liver because it contains curcumin, a bioactive compound that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Curcumin can help reduce liver inflammation, prevent liver fibrosis, and protect liver cells from oxidative stress.
Curcumin may also improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels, which are beneficial for people with fatty liver caused by obesity or diabetes.
One teaspoon of turmeric can give you about 200 mg of curcumin, which is about 6% of your daily needs.
However, curcumin is poorly absorbed by your body, so you may need to take higher doses or supplements to get its benefits.
Curcumin can positively affect fatty liver by modulating various molecular pathways involved in liver inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress.
For example, curcumin can inhibit the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), a key mediator of inflammation, and reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6).
Curcumin can also increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase and catalase, and decrease the levels of reactive oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion.
Curcumin can also suppress the activation of hepatic stellate cells, which are responsible for producing collagen and causing liver fibrosis.
Curcumin can also enhance insulin signaling and glucose uptake in liver cells, and lower blood sugar and insulin levels in the blood.
Furthermore, turmeric is a spice and spices are good for fatty liver.
Because, they can add flavor and variety to your diet, and help you reduce your intake of salt, sugar, and fat.
Spices can also provide phytochemicals, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
You can eat one to three teaspoons of turmeric per day safely.
More than that can cause side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, and bleeding.
If you take turmeric supplements, you should follow the dosage and instructions on the label, and consult your doctor before using them.
Also, you shouldn’t eat turmeric if you have gallstones or bile duct obstruction to prevent worsening your condition.
Because, turmeric can stimulate the contraction of your gallbladder and increase the flow of bile, which can cause pain and complications.
You can buy fresh turmeric in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose organic and high-quality turmeric, and avoid turmeric that is moldy, discolored, or has a bad smell.
Because, low-quality turmeric may contain contaminants, such as lead, pesticides, or artificial colors.
You can store fresh turmeric in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to six months.
You can buy turmeric supplements online as well as offline.
To buy them online, there are many brands and marketplaces to choose from.
But as a nutritionist, I recommend Organic India Turmeric Formula from Amazon.
Because, it contains organic turmeric extract with 95% curcuminoids, organic ginger, and organic black pepper, which can enhance the absorption and bioavailability of curcumin.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and essential medical care, is key to managing fatty liver effectively.
I always recommend my fatty liver patients to follow a fatty liver-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.