Liver Cysts – What Are They And How To Treat Them
You don’t often hear of liver cysts because they are not very common. However, they can be a source of needless anxiety for those who are diagnosed with them. Once understood they are typically harmless and don’t pose any major threat.
Liver cysts occur in about 1-2.5% of the population. They are thin-walled sacs filled with air, fluids or semi-solid matter. They are not cancerous but a small percentage can grow large enough to cause discomfort or pain.
Diagnosis is made via ultrasound or CT (computerized tomography) scans. Treatment is either drainage or surgical removal. While a small proportion may grow into multiple cysts they mostly appear singularly. If there are any symptoms at all they will manifest as upper abdominal fullness, discomfort or pain in the liver area.
Simple cysts are not inherited and unrelated to polycystic liver disease (PLD) in which many more cysts are present. It is speculated they grow due to either a malformation at birth, a predisposition to liver cells or that a small area of liver cells die or degenerate. They can be filled with fat in those with fatty liver. The ageing process along with poor diet and lifestyle choices are thought to be part of the picture too.
In general, the average liver cyst is innocuous. It is only when they are caused by PLD or Echinococcus granulose (a parasitic infection) that they pose a more serious threat. However, these are both rare with PLD occurring in 0.6 percent of the population and E. granulose extremely uncommon especially where there is good hygiene.
Your liver is one of your most vital organs so it makes sense to look after it. While prevention is the best cure, if you find yourself with any kind of liver malformation there are some simple treatment protocols you can follow. Firstly, start with your diet and lifestyle. A dairy and sugar free diet is essential to help shrink liver cysts as well as enhance your overall health and well-being.
Many people know that sugar is bad for their health but they feel unable to quit eating it. Sugar addiction is an extremely common condition that prevents a lot of people from ever achieving optimum health. High carbohydrate foods like bread, pasta, breakfast cereals and any food made of flour can have the same detrimental effects in the body because they are rapidly broken down into sugar. The eating plan in my book Fatty Liver You Can Reverse It helps to reduce carbohydrate and sugar cravings because it is higher in protein and healthy fats. Glicemic Balance capsules are excellent for keeping blood sugar stable throughout the day. If your blood sugar becomes too low, your brain will cry out for sugar and you may be compelled to grab unhealthy foods.
While diet is the foundation for all liver treatments, it is essential to supplement your diet with a high potency and nutritional formula specific for a healthy liver and improved digestive function.
One of the liver’s main roles is detoxification. So unless the liver is in optimal health, it will not be able to detoxify the bloodstream efficiently. A good liver tonic can stimulate the repair of damaged liver cells and facilitate the fat burning and detoxification abilities of the liver.
Livatone Plus supplies all the important ingredients to ensure your liver has the best support. This product is a powerful natural liver tonic supporting liver function when liver problems are significant. It helps repair the liver repair and its regeneration, combining St Mary’s Thistle with n-acetyl cysteine and selenium, all the B vitamins and the amino acid taurine plus Vitamins C and E. It contains the clinically proven dose of silymarin (a daily dose of 420mg silymarin) and supports detoxification phases one and two pathways in the liver.
No liver treatment is complete without a potent antioxidant. Selenomune is the perfect partner for Livatone Plus. A trace element required in small amounts, it is essential for many body processes. In chronic liver disease it specifically boasts several functions that make it a valuable component to any liver wellness program.
Studies show selenium is an important liver ally for several reasons. Firstly, its antioxidant capabilities which help preserve liver tissue against oxidation; secondly, to strengthen immunity by helping in the production of disease-fighting antibodies; thirdly, potential cancer prevention by protecting against cancer forming cells and lastly, it helps with tissue elasticity for hepatic circulation in liver tissue and local blood vessels.
The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
References:
Benign Tumours and Cystic Disease; What are Cysts and Tumours? http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/liver-information/liver-conditions/benign-tumours-and-cystic-disease/
Selenium Boosts Liver Protection Regimens; http://www.liversupport.com/selenium-boosts-liver-protection-regimens/
Selenium, glutathione and glutathione peroxidases in blood of patients with chronic liver diseases, Czuczejko, J, et al, Retrieved October 29, 2010, Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2003. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14740001.
Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Selenium, National Institutes of Health, 2010, Retrieved July 20, 2016. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium
Selenium supplementation increases liver MnSOD expression: molecular mechanism for hepato-protection, Shilo, S, et al, Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, January 2008. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed.
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If it’s faulty or wrongly described, we’ll replace it.
Unfortunately there is no substitute for NAC, but it is still beneficial to take Livatone Plus by itself.
As well as taking supplements the main thing is that you do not get any more cysts forming and that your liver function is normal.
Eat plenty of salads and vegetables and good quality meat. Eggs are also good for the liver.
Please check out Dr Cabot’s video on liver cysts:https://www.liverdoctor.com/what-are-liver-cysts/
Kind regards,
Jessah Shaw
Nutritionist
Most supplements interact with blood thinners. I have been told not to take milk thistle. Does your supplements interact with blood thinners? I had 2 blood clots in leg and PE in both lungs.
Thank you for your query.
We generally recommend taking supplements 2 hours away from medication so there is no interference with absorption.
As far as I know, the only supplement that may interact with certain blood thinners is Serrapeptase:https://www.liverdoctor.com/serrapeptase-250-000-iu-120ct-veggi-caps.html
Kind regards,
Jessah Shaw
Nutritionist
Please check out Dr Cabot’s recent videos on liver cysts.
You may find this article helpful:https://www.liverdoctor.com/what-you-should-know-about-liver-cysts/
To shrink cysts we recommend taking:
Livatone Plus 1 cap twice daily for the first 2 weeks and then increasing to 2 caps twice daily, to improve liver function.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 1 cap twice daily for first 2 weeks and then increasing to 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. NAC should be taken with a whole glass of water away from food. Do not take just before retiring to bed. NAC can be strong on the stomach, and this is why you need to take it with a whole glass of water.This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster. This supplement is the precursor nutrient of glutathione; the body’s strongest anti-oxidant and potent detoxifier.
These can be purchased here:https://www.liverdoctor.com/products/supplements.html
Kind regards,
Jessah Shaw
Nutritionist
Liver cysts can cause pain and you want to shrink this cyst.
to shrink it take LIVATONE PLUS 4 capsules daily and NAC 2 capsules twice daily inbetween meals with a large whole glass of water
Avoid sugar and cow's milk and processed foods
check out my videos on fatty liver to see the best diet for the liver
it may not shrink completely but will shrink significantly over 6 to 12 months and you should not get more cysts
let me know how you get on
If pain gets worse see your doctor
Be good with your diet!
Dr Sandra Cabot
We are surprised that the CT scan did not detect anything but the cyst, because Gallbladder problems usually stem from a congested or fatty liver.
Now that you do not have a Gallbladder it is important to have a supply of concentrated bile to emulsify and absorb fat soluble vitamins and good dietary fats.
Dr Cabot prescribes the addition of OxBile to the previous list of supplements for your liver.
Kind regards
Victoria
Naturopath for Dr Sandra Cabot MD
Liver cysts are usually benign, but large ones are well treated with surgery.
You are recommended to begin Dr Cabot’s 15 Day Cleanse and Maintenance Program to increase your anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle profile to stimulate improved liver function to shrink the cyst that has developed.
Supplementation is also essential and Dr Cabot prescribes Livatone Plus, NAC and Vitamin C.
Kind regards
Victoria
Naturopath for Dr Sandra Cabot MD