A Journey I Never Expected to Repeat
There are chapters in life we hope never to revisit.
For me, liver disease was one of them.
My first diagnosis changed me. It forced me to slow down, rethink my habits, and rebuild my relationship with my health. I worked hard, made meaningful changes, and eventually received the news I prayed for — my liver had healed.
I truly believed that part of my story was over.
But in August 2025, I found myself sitting in a doctor’s office hearing the words Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) – formally known as NAFLD, Stage 2. It came back, stronger and more aggressive than before. And even though I don’t drink alcohol, my liver was struggling again.
The fear hit first.
Then the disappointment.
Then the quiet, steady determination.
I knew this time couldn’t be about temporary fixes or short bursts of discipline. This time had to be about long-term commitment — a promise to myself that I would honour every single day.
This is how I reversed MASLD a second time… and walked away with 0% fat around my liver.
Not because I’m perfect.
Not because it was easy.
But because I chose to fight for my life again.
Reversing NAFLD: What I Changed the Second Time Around
1. Food Intake: Choosing Vegetable‑Based Carbs and Nourishing My Body Differently
Food became my daily act of self-respect.
This time, I didn’t just reduce carbs — I changed the type of carbs I relied on.
I shifted away from grain-heavy meals and focused on vegetable-based carbohydrates, which are gentler on the liver and packed with nutrients.
My carb sources became vegetables, including:
– Squash (butternut, acorn, spaghetti)
– Carrots
– Beets
– Cauliflower
– Broccoli
– Brussels sprouts
– Zucchini
– Green beans
– Lettuce
These vegetables gave me steady energy, fibre, and nourishment without overwhelming my liver. I add these to my meals with chicken or fish.
I also made one rule that changed everything:
No eating after dinner.
No late-night snacks. No “just one bite.” No exceptions.
As a parent, evenings are often the only quiet moments we get — but I learned that my liver needed rest more than I needed a snack.
2. Exercise: Moving My Body With Purpose
I started walking more.
Not intense workouts — just movement that felt gentle and doable.
Then I added strength training, and it became one of the best decisions I’ve made as I age. Feeling my muscles grow stronger reminded me that healing isn’t just internal — it’s physical, empowering, and deeply motivating.
Strength training taught me that I can rebuild myself, piece by piece.
3. Prioritizing Sleep: The Hardest Change of All
Sleep is a luxury for parents.
It’s the first thing we sacrifice, even though it’s the one thing our bodies desperately need.
But I made a promise to myself:
Sleep is not optional. It is part of my healing.
I stopped treating rest like a reward and started treating it like a requirement.
My liver needed it. My mind needed it. My heart needed it.
And slowly, I felt the difference — clearer mornings, steadier emotions, better choices.
4. Fasting: A Gentle Reset for My Body
In the early stages of healing, fasting helped me tremendously.
My mornings looked like this:
– Black coffee
– Plenty of water
– First meal at 11:30 AM
This gave my liver time to process the food from the day before.
Once my body adjusted and my liver improved, I reintroduced breakfast — healthier options, such as eggs and fruits that supported my energy instead of draining it.
This wasn’t about restriction.
It was about rhythm, balance, and giving my body space to do what it’s designed to do.
5. Vitamins: Supporting My Body With What It Needed
Alongside lifestyle changes, my specialist recommended a few vitamins to support my overall health during this journey. These weren’t meant to replace lifestyle changes — they were meant to support them.
The vitamins I took under my specialist’s direction included:
– Vitamin D
– Magnesium
– Calcium
These helped support my energy, bone health, muscle function, and overall wellness as my body worked hard to heal. I followed my specialist’s guidance closely, and these supplements became part of my daily routine.
Guided by Knowledge, Not Fear
I followed the guidance of my liver specialist, Dr. Joshi, whose educational content helped me understand my liver in a way I never had before. Her natural, sustainable steps gave me direction without overwhelming me.
Through her teachings, I learned something powerful:
Our liver is the detox filter of our body.
It works tirelessly for us — the least we can do is treat it with love, respect, and better choices.
And yes — I don’t drink alcohol, and I still developed liver disease.
It can happen to anyone.
Healing Is a Daily Battle — One I Choose Every Day
I won’t pretend this journey is easy.
I won’t pretend I don’t slip up.
I won’t pretend I don’t get tired.
Healing is a daily battle — one I fight every single day with the support of my loved ones. I could not do it without my amazing support system who makes sure to tell me how loved I am.
I have worked too hard to go back.
I have fought too fiercely to give up.
I have learned too much to ignore what my body needs.
And if my story can help even one person make a better decision for themselves…
If it can help someone feel less alone…
If it can inspire someone to take that first step toward healing…
Then every moment of fear, frustration, and effort has been worth it.
My Hope for You
I share this not as medical advice, but as lived experience.
As a woman who has been scared, overwhelmed, and exhausted — and still chose to fight.
My hope is simple:
That you choose yourself.
That you choose your health.
That you choose a future where your liver — and your life — can thrive.
Healing is not perfect.
Healing is not linear.
Healing is not easy.
But healing is possible.
I am living proof of that.
And so are you.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
~ Melanie (A.K.A Momma Braga)
