The liver doesn’t quit. It’s on the job 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The liver’s an essential part of living however it’s resilience will eventually give out it it’s being mistreated.
The liver can be beaten up by sickness and viruses, toxic substances ingested, environmental contaminants, and disease. Habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol can harm the normal function of the liver for the body. Unfortunately, we frequently notice when we are having liver problems. It does not always cause pain. In fact, the liver will continue operating even when two-thirds of it is permanently damaged.
What does the liver do?
We must keep the liver healthy. The liver performs over 500 vital life functions including energy creation, defence against infections, processing toxins, regulating hormones, manufactures essential proteins, regulates cholesterol, and cleanses the blood. It also functions on the immune system. You may notice that some people who are extremely thin, usually have problems with their livers.
What is bad for the liver?
Though some damage is unavoidable or by chance, what isn’t comes down through the foods we consume. Foods bad for the liver include anything with saturated fats, high-sugar foods, sweetened beverages, fatty foods, and white grain or refined products.
The food can also damage the liver if we overeat or consume larger portions that are necessary. Stresses like this really give the liver a lot to handle all at once. If you do end up damaging the liver, you’re unlikely to notice it until it’s progressed to the point of cirrhosis or cancer, unfortunately.
Besides food, a lack of sleep or low quality sleep can also affect the liver. Normally, it is the time for the liver to relax and export toxic at 11:00 p.m., and this procedure should only be processed during sleep. People who stay up late are more likely to catch a liver issue.
What is good for the liver?
There is no perfect diet for the liver. Liver healthy foods though include a variety of whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, lean-cut meats, protein sources, whole grains, dairy, and sources of healthy fats. A balanced diet is always the cure to most problems in the body.
Look to eat more vegetables with a high sulphur content. These include broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, garlic, onions, and cabbage. Also, consume vitamin D fortified food products, helping you maintain a healthy body weight and keep your liver healthy.
What else can I do to protect my liver?
Pharmaceutical medications, prescription and over-the-counter, can damage the liver. Be very careful with the medications you’re taking. Consult with your doctor. Ask for a liver test any time before taking a drug as well as a few weeks after to ensure your body’s tolerating it alright. Acetaminophen, aka Tylenol, can be particularly damaging in larger quantities.
The best medicine for the liver is natural. That said, no medicine is risk-free. Even a lot of natural supplements can cause liver damage, including valerian root, grapefruit bioflavonoids, and others.
How do I take care of my liver?
Once the damage is done, the damage is done. That said, a damaged liver isn’t a death sentence. The best way to take care of your liver is to eat right and be aware of everything you put into your body, and pay attention to the sleep quality.
The liver is your filter. It takes care of every chemical or toxin you put into your body. Anything eaten, breathed, drank, or rubbed into your skin gets sent to the liver. Do right by it. Live healthy.