Your liver is the second largest organ in
your body (second only to your skin), weighing in at around three pounds and
responsible for a myriad of essential body functions each and every day.
Primarily, your liver’s job is to filter the blood that comes from your
digestive tract, thereby metabolizing nutrients, drugs, alcohol and other
substances consumed while helping to detoxify.
Your liver also manufactures proteins and
produces bile to help break down fats and clear bilirubin, a potentially
harmful substance formed from the breakdown of dead red blood cells, from your
blood.
Why
Your Liver May Need Extra Support
It is your liver that is responsible for
processing virtually everything you consume -- protein, fat or carbohydrate --
and turning it into glucose that is used as fuel. But, since everything you
consume passes through your liver it means your liver is subjected to an array
of toxins -- pesticides, hormones, food additives, alcohol, medications,
microorganisms, and more -- on a regular basis.
Your liver will either convert these harmful
toxins into less harmful ones or ensure they’re eliminated from your body
entirely. However, inevitably some toxins get left behind, hiding in certain
liver cells or creating free radicals that can damage your liver and your
overall health. This is why it’s so important to support your liver health in
every way you can.
The foods you eat, the medications you take,
the drinks you consume … all of these take a toll on your liver health, but you
can help keep your liver in top working order by following the simple steps
below.
1. Eat
organic foods as much as possible
By eating organic you are opting for the
purest food possible, which means you’re saving your liver from a slew of
toxins. By definition, organic foods must be free from genetically modified
organisms, synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, antibiotics, growth hormones
and other drugs.
Your diet represents one of the biggest
potential burdens on your liver, as many foods are contaminated with
pesticides, growth hormones and chemical additives.
2.
Limit fructose, fried foods and processed foods containing trans fats or
hydrogenated oils
Two more dietary burdens to your liver are
hidden in many processed foods on your supermarket shelves: trans fats and
fructose. Trans fats are common in fried foods like French fries and doughnuts
and are also found in cookies, crackers and many other processed foods. If the
ingredient list contains “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” oil, it
will contain some amount of trans fat. Fructose is also found in numerous
processed foods as well as in soda and fruit juice.
According to one study in the journal
Hepatology, a diet high in fructose and trans fats leads to obesity and fatty
liver disease.
3.
Increase fruits, vegetables and other liver-boosting foods in your diet
On the flipside, you can also use your diet
strategically to support your liver health by eating plenty of fresh fruits and
vegetables, which are naturally detoxifying.
Specifically, sulfur-rich foods, such as onions,
garlic and all the veggies in the cruciferous family (broccoli, kale, collard
greens, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, etc.) are known to help your
liver detoxify environmental toxins, including prescription drugs and
pesticides. Vegetables are also an excellent source of fiber, which helps
toxins to move through your digestive tract, reducing stress on your liver.
Turmeric, cinnamon and licorice are also
known to support healthy liver function.
4.
Drink alcohol only in moderation (if at all)
Alcohol can destroy liver cells and lead to
liver damage that causes fatty liver, inflammation, alcoholic hepatitis or
cirrhosis. If you already have liver disease, drinking even a small amount of
alcohol can make it worse.
5. Use
natural household products
You can reduce stress on your liver by
choosing natural cleaning products for your home and natural personal care
products for your body. Be sure your drinking water is free from contaminants
and consider using an air purifier in your home, especially if you live in a
high-traffic area. You’ll also want to avoid spraying pesticides in or around
your home.
6.
Detoxify your body regularly
Your liver (along with your kidneys, blood,
bowel, lymphatic system and skin) help your body process and eliminate
chemicals in your sweat, urine and feces. Detoxing can help to support and
enhance this natural process.
7. Be
careful with medications
Taking medications in improper doses, for too
long, or mixed with other substances, such as alcohol or other drugs, can harm
your liver. Acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol) is notorious for its potential
danger to your liver, as overdose of this drug can cause acute liver failure.
So keep in mind that you need to be careful
with medications as far as your liver health is concerned, and this applies to
over-the-counter drugs like Tylenol as well as prescription medications.
8.
Exercise
Exercise is one straightforward way to lower
your risk of fatty liver disease, not only by helping you to maintain a healthy
body weight (obesity increases your risk of fatty liver disease) but also by
leading to liver health improvements independent of weight loss.
Staying active for at least 150 minutes a
week improved liver enzymes and other indices of liver function.
9.
Avoid smoking
Smoking may harm your liver’s ability to
effectively process and remove toxins from your body. It can also make
alcohol-induced liver disease worse.
10.
Consider liver supportive supplements
Certain high-quality supplements may help
support liver health.
Milk
thistle:
Milk thistle seed extract helps to protect and promote liver health. Studies
show that milk thistle:
·
Protects
and promotes the growth of liver cells
·
Fights
oxidation (a process that damages cells)
The supplement helped protect the liver via:
·
Antioxidant
activity
·
Enhanced
protein synthesis
·
Toxin
blockade at the membrane level, inhibiting membrane peroxidation
Research suggests that silymarins, a group of
potent antioxidants extracted from the seeds of milk thistle, have antioxidant
properties several times greater than that of vitamins C and E. Of the
silymarins, silybin has been shown to be the most effective in promoting liver
health, which is why you’ll want to look for a supplement with a high
percentage of silybin.
Detox
Nutrients:
Detox Nutrients is a unique combination of amino acids, nutrients, and herbs
created as vitamins for liver health support that also helps promote
detoxification. Carefully selected, ultra-pure ingredients include the herbs
Milk Thistle, Curcumin, Grape Seed Extract, and Green Tea, plus MSM. This
powerful synergistic blend of antioxidants helps enhance the body's natural
defense systems and supports the liver's primary detoxification pathways.
Alpha
Lipoic Acid:
Alpha Lipoic Acid is a powerful antioxidant that supports healthy liver
function.
Remember, a strong liver is
one of your best defenses against the toxins bombarding your body on a daily
basis. A healthy lifestyle that lessens your toxic load while providing your
body with high-quality sources of essential nutrients will keep your liver in
top working order.
Source: cncahealth.com
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