Doctor’s four ingredient ‘detox’ smoothie helps tackle liver disease and cirrhosis

A doctor has shared his recipe for a detox smoothie that can help tackle non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and lower the risk of cirrhosis.

The liver is responsible for breaking down toxins and producing bile, which aids in fat digestion. A fatty liver can become enlarged, causing discomfort, particularly under the right rib cage.

It’s estimated that one in five people in the UK are affected by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the term used for a range of health conditions caused by a build-up of fat in the liver. Having high levels of fat in your liver comes with a risk of multiple serious health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease.

Dr Eric Berg DC, a renowned doctor and health author has shared his four-ingredient smoothie to help remove fat from your liver and lessening your risk of cirrhosis.

Dr Berg specialises in healthy ketosis and intermittent fasting, having wrote the best selling book, The Healthy Keto Plan As well as being the director of Dr Berg Nutritionals, which sells various vitamins and supplements, reports the Surrey Live.

Taking to his YouTube channel, Dr Berg shared the recipe of the ‘detox’ smoothie that he recommends having daily for best results. In his video, the doctor warns: “The majority of the population has a fatty liver. Many people have a fatty liver and don’t even know it.”

What is fatty liver?

As stated on the NHS website, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLF) is the term used for a range of conditions caused by a build up of fat in the liver.

You’re at an increased risk of NAFLD if you:

• are obese or overweight
• have type 2 diabetes
• have a condition that affects how your body uses insulin
• are insulin resistance, such as polycystic ovary syndrome
• have an under active thyroid
• have high blood pressure
• have high cholesterol
• have metabolic syndrome (a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity)
• are over the age of 50
• smoke

Elevated fat levels in the liver can lead to a higher risk of significant health issues, such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease.

Symptoms and stages of NAFLD

The main stages of NAFLD are:

1. simple fatty liver (steatosis) – a largely harmless build-up of fat in the liver cells that may only be diagnosed during tests carried out for another reason
2. non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) – a more serious form of NAFLD, where the liver has become inflamed
3. fibrosis – where persistent inflammation causes scar tissue around the liver and nearby blood vessels, but the liver is still able to function normally
4. cirrhosis – the most severe stage, occurring after years of inflammation, where the liver shrinks and becomes scarred and lumpy; this damage is permanent and can lead to liver failure (where your liver stops working properly) and liver cancer.

In the early stages there are often no symptoms to NAFLD, leaving you completely unaware of its presence, unless its discovered through tests conducted for a different issue. Although some symptoms may include fatigue, unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain, whilst cirrhosis can lead to more severe symptoms such as jaundice, itchy skin, and swelling in the legs or abdomen.

However, if NAFLD is identified and treated early, it can be prevented from progressing, and the fat accumulation in the liver decreases.

How to make Dr Berg’s smoothie and its benefits:

To boost liver health, his smooth recipe blends nutritious ingredients, aiming for organic produce where possible:

• 2 cups kale – lowers the risk of specific liver diseases, and contains indole a natural compound that can help fight fatty liver disease.
• 1 cup blueberries – contain antioxidant nutrients called polyphenols that may fight to protect the body against NAFLD.
• 1 cup water – staying hydrated thins the blood, easing the liver’s filtering process and helping flush waste from the body.
• 1 cup plain whole-milk kefir (grass-fed if possible)-fermented milk drink containing probiotics that can help reduce fat accumulation in the liver. Studies have shown kefir can reduce liver inflammation and fat level.

Dr Berg advises drinkers to: “Blend all of the ingredients in a blender for a couple of minutes. Drink once a day in combination with a Healthy Keto diet and intermittent fasting.”

Always seek the advice of a medical professional about any questions you have regarding a medical condition, checking to see whether you are suitable for such dietary changes.

Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletterhere.