Health & Life

The Two Types of Fatty Liver That You Should Be Aware Of; The Second is Common in Vietnamese Countryside but Often Underutilized.

"Dr. Hoang Khanh Toan emphasizes the benefits of regularly consuming green tea and lotus leaf tea as a natural way to protect yourself from fatty liver disease. Incorporating these herbal infusions into your daily routine can be a powerful step towards maintaining a healthy liver."

Administrator

30 August, 2024

According to Dr. Toan, there are numerous vegetables and fruits that can help treat and prevent fatty liver disease, with green tea and lotus leaves being particularly notable. These two types of leaves are commonly grown in Vietnam, and drinking tea made from them or infusing them in water can aid in weight loss and the prevention of chronic diseases, including fatty liver.

Green tea is widely cultivated in Vietnam. Photo illustration.

Green Tea Leaves

Tea is extensively grown in Vietnam, particularly in the provinces of Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, Quang Nam, Da Nang, Dak Lak, and Lam Dong. Research has shown that green tea leaves contain high levels of antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes, pigments, vitamins, and minerals such as Fe, P, K, Ca, Zn, Mn, and Fl. Regularly drinking tea made from these leaves not only hydrates the body but also helps slow down skin aging, prevents nerve cell degeneration, and reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.

According to Dr. Toan, in traditional medicine, green tea leaves have diuretic properties, inhibit bacteria, and boost the body’s immune system. Folk wisdom suggests that green tea helps eliminate fats in the body, especially the fat deposited in the liver. Regular consumption of green tea will help remove bad fats from the body, thereby improving fatty liver conditions.

Dr. Toan also noted that modern research supports these claims, indicating that green tea can increase vascular elasticity, lower blood cholesterol, and prevent fat accumulation in the liver.

However, when drinking green tea, it is important not to make it too strong. It is best to drink it hot and avoid consuming it at night. Pregnant women, children, and individuals with constipation should use it with caution.

Regular consumption of green tea offers numerous health benefits. Photo illustration.

Lotus Leaves

Lotus leaves are familiar and have traditionally been used to wrap sticky rice, rice flakes, and other dishes in restaurants. However, not many people are aware that lotus leaves can be used to make tea, offering various health benefits, including the potential to help with fatty liver disease.

According to Dr. Toan, in traditional Chinese medicine, lotus leaves have a bitter and astringent taste, and their cooling nature helps dissipate blood stasis and has hemostatic, blood fat-reducing, and weight loss properties. Therefore, lotus leaves are used to make porridge or dried and brewed into tea to aid in weight loss, treat high blood fat, lower blood pressure, and address fatty liver issues.

In modern medicine, lotus leaves are known to contain alkaloids, which help lower blood pressure, regulate heart rhythm, and support various other bodily functions. Therefore, lotus leaf tea can help stabilize heart rhythm, reduce restlessness, and promote better sleep. Alkaloids also effectively cool the body, making lotus leaf tea an excellent choice during hot summers.

In addition to alkaloids, lotus leaves contain flavonoids. These two substances offer multiple health benefits, accelerating lipid metabolism, reducing bad cholesterol (the primary cause of high blood fat and fatty liver), and increasing good cholesterol. As a result, they help prevent fatty liver, lower blood fat, reduce atherosclerosis, and regulate heart rhythm.

However, it is important to consume lotus leaf tea in moderation and not as a replacement for filtered water. Since lotus leaves have a cooling nature, excessive consumption may affect the stomach.

Frequently asked questions

The two types of fatty liver are alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). AFLD is caused by excessive alcohol consumption, while NAFLD is typically associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, often seen in conjunction with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Fatty liver disease is a growing concern globally, and both AFLD and NAFLD can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. NAFLD, in particular, is common in the Vietnamese countryside due to a variety of factors, including dietary habits and lifestyle choices.

Making healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce your risk of developing NAFLD. This includes maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing your weight. Additionally, limiting your intake of added sugars and saturated fats, as well as avoiding excessive fructose consumption, can also help lower your risk.

Treatment for fatty liver disease typically focuses on addressing the underlying causes and managing associated risk factors. For NAFLD, this may involve weight loss and lifestyle interventions, as well as medication to manage insulin resistance and lower triglyceride levels. In severe cases of AFLD, liver transplantation may be necessary.

Fatty liver disease often shows no symptoms in its early stages. However, as the condition progresses, individuals may experience fatigue, weight loss or gain, weakness, and nausea. In advanced stages, abdominal pain, jaundice, and fluid accumulation in the abdomen may occur.