Fatty Liver Reversal: The TCM Approach to Liver Health

Fatty Liver in TCM Terms

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) corresponds to Damp-Heat accumulating in the Liver and Spleen in TCM. The Spleen is too weak to transform fats and sugars, creating Dampness. This Dampness stagnates and generates Heat in the Liver, producing inflammation. Over time, Damp-Heat congeals into Phlegm and Blood Stasis, leading to fibrosis.

Root Causes

1. Poor diet: Excessive sugar, refined carbs, fried foods, alcohol. 2. Spleen Qi deficiency: Can't transform and transport nutrients properly. 3. Liver Qi stagnation: Stress and emotional repression impair Liver's ability to regulate. 4. Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of movement stagnates Qi and accumulates Damp. 5. Genetic tendency: Some constitutions are more prone to Damp accumulation.

The Reversal Diet

Foods to ADD: Leafy greens (spinach, kale, dandelion), cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage), garlic and onions, turmeric, green tea, walnuts, fatty fish (omega-3), olive oil, avocado, berries. Foods to REMOVE completely: Refined sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, white flour, fried foods, alcohol, processed snacks, soda, excessive fruit juice. Eat: Warm, cooked, bitter greens, lean protein, whole grains.

Herbs for Liver Regeneration

Milk thistle (Silymarin): The #1 liver regenerator in Western herbalism. Bupleurum (Chai Hu): The #1 Liver Qi regulating herb in TCM. Turmeric (Jiang Huang): Powerful anti-inflammatory for liver. Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi): Protects liver, regenerates tissue. Dandelion root (Pu Gong Ying): Clears Liver Heat. Artichoke leaf: Supports bile flow. Classic formula: Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer) for Liver-Spleen harmony.

Acupressure Protocol

LV3 (Taichong): Moves Liver Qi. LV14 (Qimen): Front-mu point of Liver. GB34 (Yanglingquan): Supports Liver and Gallbladder. ST36 (Zusanli): Strengthens Spleen to reduce Damp. SP6 (Sanyinjiao): Nourishes Blood, supports Liver. BL18 (Ganshu): Liver Back-Shu point. Practice daily: Press each point 2-3 minutes. Focus on LV3 and ST36 as primary points.

Lifestyle Reversal Plan

1. Lose 7-10% body weight gradually. 2. Exercise 30 min daily (sweating clears Damp). 3. Eliminate sugar and alcohol completely. 4. Eat within 8-hour window (intermittent fasting helps). 5. Manage stress (stress hormones worsen fatty liver). 6. Sleep 7+ hours (liver detoxifies 1-3 AM). 7. Consider coffee (2-3 cups reduces liver enzymes). 8. Get regular bloodwork: ALT, AST, GGT.