Dr Berg's four-ingredient 'detox' smoothie combats fatty liver disease and cirrhosis

Dr Eric Berg DC, a renowned doctor and author, has divulged his recipe for a four-ingredient smoothie that he claims can help clear fat from the liver and reduce the risk of cirrhosis.

The health guru, who has a massive following of 12 million subscribers on YouTube, insists on the daily intake of this ‘detox’ drink for optimal results.

Dr Berg, the brains behind the bestseller ‘The Healthy Keto Plan’, is an expert in healthy ketosis and intermittent fasting. He is also the head of Dr Berg Nutritionals, a company marketing a variety of vitamins and supplements.

In a video, Dr Berg cautions his viewers, stating: “The majority of the population has a fatty liver. Many people have a fatty liver and don’t even know it.”

He then goes on to explain what a fatty liver is. NHS says that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of conditions caused by excess fat in the liver.

Risk factors for NAFLD include:

• are obese or overweight – particularly if you have a lot of fat around your waist (an “apple-like” body shape)
• have type 2 diabetes
• have a condition that affects how your body uses insulin
• are insulin resistance, such as polycystic ovary syndrome
• have an underactive 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

Having elevated liver fat levels can escalate the danger of serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease. Those with diabetes are at a heightened risk of cardiac complications if they also suffer from NAFLD, reports Surrey Live.

As for the stages of NAFLD, the NHS outlines:

• 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
• non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) – a more serious form of NAFLD, where the liver has become inflamed
• fibrosis – where persistent inflammation causes scar tissue around the liver and nearby blood vessels, but the liver is still able to function normally
• 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

Initially, NAFLD often presents no noticeable symptoms, meaning many individuals may be oblivious to its presence until it’s incidentally detected during tests for other medical concerns.

Those with NASH or fibrosis, which represent more advanced stages of NAFLD, might experience symptoms including:

• a dull or aching pain in the top right of the tummy (over the lower right side of the ribs)
• extreme tiredness
• unexplained weight loss
• weakness

If left undiagnosed, the most severe form of liver disease – cirrhosis – can lead to alarming symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), itchy skin, and swelling in lower body parts. Early detection and management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) can halt its progression and reduce fat in the liver.

The liver’s critical role is detoxifying harmful substances. An overburdened fatty liver may become enlarged and cause discomfort or pain below the right rib cage and shoulder area, according to Dr Berg.

He highlights the liver’s essential functions, emphasizing the importance of bile in preventing liver-related health issues and promoting fat elimination from the organ.

Strategies like increasing bile production and even consuming purified bile salts can be advantageous for those with fatty livers.

Dr Berg recommends adopting a ketogenic diet and practising intermittent fasting as effective methods for reducing liver fat.

To bolster liver health, his smoothie recipe blends nutritious ingredients that should be organic where possible:

• 2 cups kale
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup plain whole-milk kefir (grass-fed if possible)

Dr Berg advises: “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.”

The smoothie includes leafy greens like kale – known for liver disease risk reduction properties owing to high levels of fibre, vitamins, minerals, and sulfur compounds.

Indole, a natural compound found in such greens, can help combat fatty liver disease. This compound is produced when the amino acid tryptophan breaks down and boasts anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Kale, rich in compounds that bind to bile acids in the digestive tract, aids in reducing cholesterol levels. Steaming kale can further enhance this ability.

Blueberries, packed with antioxidant nutrients called polyphenols, may protect against NAFLD and reduce inflammation’s effects on the liver. These polyphenols also promote autophagy, a mechanism that maintains liver lipid metabolism balance.

Drinking water thins the blood, making it easier for the liver to filter and helps flush waste from the body, reducing the burden on the kidneys and liver. A recent study found that higher plain water intake was linked to a lower risk of newly diagnosed NAFLD.

Kefir, rich in probiotics, can help reduce fat accumulation around the liver. Studies have shown that kefir can improve fatty liver syndrome (FLS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in animal models.

Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and check whether you are suitable for such dietary changes.