Fatty liver, as the name implies, is the accumulation of excess fat in the liver cells, according to the American Liver Foundation. While it's normal for the liver to contain a minimal amount of fat, when it exceeds 10 percent of the weight of this vital organ it's regarded as fatty liver, which can pose serious problems including liver inflammation and the hardening of the liver known as cirrhosis. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most widespread liver disease in the U.S., according to Liver Support.com. Certain herbs are purported to help prevent or reverse the development of a fatty liver.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is believed to have protective effects on the liver and improve its function. It is typically used to treat liver cirrhosis and liver inflammation known as chronic hepatitis, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
A review of several studies looking into the benefits of milk thistle for liver disease found evidence to be mixed and therefore could not recommend this herb for the treatment of liver disease. The researchers, led by B.P. Jacobs at the University of California, San Francisco, Department of Medicine reviewed 14 clinical trials. The findings were published in October 2002 in the "Journal of American Medicine."
Betaine
Betaine, or betaine anhydrous, is a methyl donor nutrient that promotes proper liver function and the reproduction of cells, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Betaine also helps the body make the nutrient carnitine that helps turn fat into energy.
Betaine may help protect against fatty deposits in the liver, which can result from alcoholism, malnutrition, diabetes, obesity as well other causes, the UMMC says.
Omega 3's
Omega-3 fatty acids contained in plant oils such as linseed and canola and in fish, such as salmon, may help decrease the amount of fat in the liver, according to Liver Support.com.
One study found that mice who were given omega-3 fatty acids had fewer deposits of fat in the liver than those that did not receive the supplements. The animal study was led by Dr. I.P. Alwayn of the Department of Surgery and the Vascular Biology Program at the Children's Hospital in Boston. The findings were published in March 2005 in the journal "Pediatric Research."
Spirulina
Preliminary evidence suggests that spirulina may help protect against liver damage and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis, according to the UMMC.
A study published in April 2010 in "Journal of Medical Case Reports" determined that spirulina maxima may be a viable alternative treatment for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. The research was led by A. Ferreira-Hermosillo of the Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico.
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