Is Fasting Good or Bad for the Liver?

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In this video, we’re going to talk about fasting for liver health. Is fasting good for the liver?

Intermittent fasting is very good for the liver. The liver is one of the only organs that can completely regenerate if you have at least 25% of your liver left. If you look down and you have a gut, chances are you have a fatty liver. 

When you do a fast for 18+ hours, you can:

• Reverse a fatty liver (the fat on the liver can be used as fuel)
• Reduce an enlarged liver
• Lower liver enzymes (lower inflammation)
• Improve fibrosis
• Stimulate autophagy

The key is keeping your insulin low. If you’re overweight, chances are you have high insulin. If you’re a diabetic, you especially have high insulin. Fasting can greatly improve insulin levels. 

When you eat, you’re stimulating insulin. In the presence of insulin:

• You can’t release fat from the liver
• You can’t burn fat
• You have inflammation

*Intermittent fasting is essential to help with fatty liver disease. 

If you have a fatty liver, you may also want to try:

1. Taking choline 
2. Taking apple cider vinegar 

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, 56 years of age is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of The New Body Type Guide and other books published by KB Publishing. He has taught students nutrition as an adjunct professor at Howard University. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

[thomassmith]

I had moderate fatty liver, I started 16/8 Intermittent Fasting and after 3.5 months, went to the liver clinic and my fatty liver was completely back to normal. It absolutely works.

[jumemowery]

I've been *DE-LIVER-ED* from high insulin through IF . Thanks Dr. Berg!!!

[optimizewithscience]

Fasting is also really good for the gut! Not just giving the digestion a break but also increasing beneficial microbes and stimulating SCFA production, as well as, reducing inflammation.

[bellacortez]

I've started Intermittent fasting 22/2 everyday. I feel amazing and broke my weightloss stall.

[jstone]

He’s absolutely right. I was told I have fatty liver from alcohol abuse. I’ve been doing IF since beginning of September and my gut is significantly reduced. I know because people comment on it. I also sleep and feel much better and have increased energy.

[josemiguelmandolesi]

Everybody should be thaught these things since kindergarden. It would be a better world.

[NancyTroutman]

I discovered that if you are already in ketosis, that the first few days of an extended fast is not all that hard. The hardest part of the extended fast was breaking the habit of visiting the kitchen when I was bored. I also discovered that fasting is far easier than calorie restriction. I can maintain fasting whereas I never could maintain a calorie restriction diet.

[johnvictorengland]

I have a 6-pack and I found out last year that I have a fatty liver! I used to drink lots of soda and eat sugar all the time. Thought I was fine because I’m in shape.

[beetee]

Daily IF has changed my life substantially for the better. I’m much leaner and healthier. Thanks Dr. Berg!

[gordyn]

All I know is that after 13 months of 22/2 and <50g carbs per day, my liver function test has never been better, along with bloods and cholesterol.

[genetasefa]

I agree Dr. berg, I fasted for 26 days and my life gets better my energy levels was amazing and I slept so well. Yes fasting is good the hardest part was the first 3to 5 days after that I dont even want to eat . The other amazing thing about fasting is clear mind and I start eating less. Thanks again Dr. Berg.

[SweetandMellow]

Dr.Berg, please never be done. We learn so much from you! Thank you!

[phubblewubbphubblewubb]

I've eaten omad for most of my life because I was obese from age 4 following a virus, I'm now 56. The real difference for me was switching to keto, absolutely no sugar or grain based foods, I lost a lot of inflammatory weight, it also fixes all the Fibro symptoms if I fast for 3 entire days, hard but worth it for the inflammation and pain relief!

[CKww]

Wow you are extremely helpful and such a soothing voice.

[holoholohaolenokaoi]

after 20 hours, i feel energized and my mind becomes alert on omad diet. if i cheat and eat something substantial, i get super drowsy. been one meal a day for 1 year

[oldtymer]

This man knows what he's talking about! I'm 61 years old, type 2 diabetic. I began my wellness journey 22 weeks ago by watching Dr Berg's videos. I thought he was nuts at first, but I tried a few of his easier to understand concepts first and started feeling better right away. It took me 40 days to lose my first 10lbs as I eased into Keto/Intermittent Fasting, after that the weightloss accelerated. I'm now losing 10lbs about every two to four weeks! Seven months ago I couldn't get my resting pulse below 100 bpm, two days ago I went and donated blood - my resting pulse was 81! Down 62lbs in 22 weeks total since I've started this journey! I have no cravings for sugar or high carb junk food, quite the opposite - food commercials now gross me out! 98lbs to go, but I'm focused on the journey, not the destination!

Enjoy the journey!

[LuisRodriguez-bbgi]

I been on OMAD and feel amazing! Super energized and mentally sharp. OMAD is amazing once mastered

[Sylphadora]

Fantastic video, Dr Berg. I do +90% zero carb OMAD so I fast 20-23 hours each day, depending on when I have my meal (earlier in the weekends). Once a week I do a 47-hour fast. Part of my daily meal is 6 whole extra large eggs. My waist has gotten SO tiny! My waist-to-height ratio is 0.44-0.45, and yet I'm seeing the gains from lifting at the gym 💪 Don't be afraid of those yolks! The yolks are the best part 😋

[lillypod]

I've been on your program and doing OMAD now for 1 year (started in October 2018) and my health could not be any better. Female, ~5'9"  (or 175/6 cm tall) weighin in at 128-130 lbs (~58kg) at age 49. Hair and nails are long, strong and my skin is clear. My husband joined me and he lost 90 lbs and went from shopping in the Big & Tall section into the regular Men's dept. for Clothing. Went from a XX/XXXL to a regular XL (he is 6'4" tall weighing ~200 lbs). When he started this he weighed in a little under 300 lbs. Major transformation !

[davetinoco]

Thank you Dr Berg. I have been on OMAD for 2.5 months. I had bad NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).

Fast forward to today, my liver stopped hurting and it isn’t protruding so much from my belly. I think I will be a new person next year this time. From all your videos I have learned there’s really only like 10 reasons for difficulty on keto.

1. Not enough vegetables
2. Insufficient qty of veggies
3. Lacking a good amount of greens
4. Too little vegetables
5. Skipping eating your veggies
6. Not ensuring your vegetable intake is high
7. Scant vegetable consumption
8. Failing to have a high amount of vegetables
9. Finding ways not to eat your vegetables
10. Minimal vegetable intake.