Cabot Health

Health Topics > Liver health > livercysts

What are liver cysts?

A cyst is the medical term used to describe a space of roundish or sac like shape in some part of the body. It may be empty or contain watery or mucus types of fluid. It is not uncommon to find one or several small cysts in the liver when a patient has an ultrasound scan or CAT scan of the abdomen for some reason. The vast majority of these cysts are found by chance as they do not produce any symptoms. It is important to rule out Hydatid disease. This condition occurs when humans ingest dog tape worm - Echinococcus granulose, which can invade the liver causing cysts. This may occur in areas where sheep and cattle raising are done. These can be differentiated from simple cysts, which is important as they may require treatment to avoid rupture. Good standards of hygiene and regular worming of dogs can prevent these infections.

What causes cysts?

These “simple cysts” usually arise because a small area of liver cells die or degenerate. The most common cause is advancing years and poor diet and lifestyle. Sometimes these cysts can be full of “fatty material” in those with a fatty liver. These cysts do not represent liver disease because the liver, being such a huge organ, has plenty of other areas containing healthy cells to enable liver function to remain normal.

Are they common?

Solitary or multiple liver cysts are common, especially with advancing age - they have no special significance unless they are diagnosed as cancerous. Liver function is generally normal. Occasionally these cysts may cause pain but for the most part they do not cause any particular symptoms.

Can they be cured?

If your doctor finds that you have one or several of these degenerative types of liver cysts (simple cysts), do not become alarmed. Obviously you do not want to develop many more of these cysts and thankfully it is easy to stop them from multiplying. In many cases it is possible to gradually shrink the cysts using nutritional medicine.

Recommended books

Treatment

It is important with these conditions to have a strong functioning immune system - this can only come from having a strong functioning liver.

Diet

Follow the vital eating principles for a healthy liver found in either "The Healthy Liver and Bowel Book" or "The Liver Cleansing Diet" Make these principles a way of life.

General recommendations

Those with simple liver cysts should limit dairy products, which is easy to do on the Liver Cleansing Diet. Dairy products are mucus forming foods - this will exacerbate the cysts. Opt for organic unsweetened soy, oat, rice, almond or light coconut types of milk.
Avoid ALL margarines and similar type spreads
Avoid deep fried and fatty foods.
Limit chicken and turkey that is not free range, as this contains artificial growth hormones, antibiotics and steroids that increase the liver's workload.
Avoid ALL alcohol.
Drink 2 litres of water each day.
Avoid artificial sweeteners see www.dorway.com Use 'Stevia" the natural herbal sweetener if you wish to avoid sugar altogether.

Raw juicing

Raw juices are an incredibly powerful healing tool and can improve the function of the liver, bowels and kidneys. This increases the elimination of toxins and waste products from the skin. Appropriate juice recipes found in “Raw Juices Can Save Your Life” book.

Recommended juices are:

‘Liver Tonic Juice’ page 116
‘Liver Cleansing Juice’ page 116
'Antibiotic juice' page 45
'Immune Dysfunction' page103

Recommended supplements:

Liver tonic powder or capsules

Take 1 teaspoon twice daily in water or juice or 2 capsules twice daily - A formula containing a combination of traditional herbs, Taurine and vegetables for the liver is needed.

Selenium tablets

Take 2 tablets twice daily - Selenium greatly enhances the function of the immune system and possesses anti-inflammatory effects.

Fish oil capsules

Take 2 capsules daily with food - Omega 3 fats are deficient in the typical Western diet. Supplementing with fish oils helps to improve general wellbeing.

LIVER CYSTS