Liver care usually is dismissed. Why? Constantly underwork, your liver is a resilient organ and usually ignored by most until something goes drastically wrong.
Due to the endless roles your liver performs, it is constantly subjected to viruses and foreign bodies that can cause harm. When under attack, your liver is slow to complain, which means you won’t notice the damage until too late!
Let’s get to know your liver better.
What is the liver, and how does it work?
The size of a football, your liver weighs approx. 2% of your body weight, making it the largest gland in your body. It can regenerate and performs over 500 functions in your body 24 hours a day.
The wonder of regeneration
Your liver possesses the power to regenerate. This means even if your liver is damaged or has lost some tissue due to surgery, it can grow back to a certain extent. It does so by enlarging the existing liver cells and creating new cells to multiply.
Functions of the liver
Of the long list of over 500 functions, here are a few essential functions that your liver performs.
- Your liver is responsible for the regulation of a lot of chemical levels in your blood.
- The liver is also responsible for the secretion of a digestive fluid- bile. Bile helps in digestion and also carries waste products from the liver.
- The liver produces specific proteins for your blood plasma.
- Production of cholesterol and special proteins that help carry fats throughout the body.
- The liver converts excess glucose into glycogen which is stored in your body and converted back into glucose when needed.
- Regulating the building blocks of proteins- amino acids.
- Clearing your blood of drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances.
- Converting harmful ammonia to urea which can be excreted through urine.
- The liver also regulates blood clotting.
The list goes on and on! So, now that you understand how important your liver is for your existence, let’s understand why it is important to take care of your liver.
Importance of liver care
Unlike your lungs, which can be replaced by a machine, your liver cannot be. The only thing that can take the place of your liver is another liver through a liver transplant.
Your liver is constantly subjected to various foreign substances that can damage your liver for the worse. Furthermore, a bad lifestyle, diet, alcoholism all harm your liver. This is why active liver care is necessary to keep this essential organ running like clockwork.
Risk of diseases to your liver
Diseases to your liver can be caused due to the following-
Infections
Viruses can cause inflammation to your liver, limiting its functions. These viruses reach your liver through blood, semen, food, water, or close contact with an infected person. Hepatitis viruses come under this category- Hepatitis A, B, and C.
Immune system abnormality
Autoimmune diseases in which your body attacks your body’s cells can also cause infections in your liver. Autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis are examples of autoimmune liver diseases.
Cancer
Cancerous cells can also be responsible for your liver’s downfall. Diseases such as liver cancer, bile duct cancer, and liver adenoma can damage your lungs.
Most of these diseases are a result of negligence towards liver care. So let’s understand how you can take better care of your liver.
Mindful diet, exercise, and lifestyle is the key to keeping your liver healthy in the long run. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and a well-balanced diet along with a safe distance from alcohol and drugs will ensure your liver’s best health.
But that’s not all: Genetics also plays a crucial role in developing diseases for your liver. Which is beyond your control. So the best you can do is take better care of yourself and live a healthy lifestyle.
Some DOs, DONTs, and tried and tested liver care tips-
1. Watch your weight-
Obesity equals the danger of a fatty liver which leads to NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease). Therefore, weight management will result in optimum liver weight and size.
2. A balanced diet is the way to go.
High-calorie meals, saturated fats, excess sugar, and refined carbs are bad for your liver. A well-balanced diet with all the essential vitamins, minerals, which contain fruits, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, and rice, will reward you with better health and improved quality of life.
3. Get plenty of exercise.
Exercising and diet is the best way to maintain a healthy weight. In addition, exercising burns triglycerides aiding weight loss and helps reduce a fatty liver.
4. Maintain personal hygiene.
Practice basic hygiene practices such as not sharing personal belongings, practising safe sex, and regularly washing your hands.
5. Drink responsibly.
Alcohol has adverse effects on your health. Alcohol mainly damages your liver cells and scars them. It is best to avoid alcohol altogether, but if you drink, drink responsibly. Visit your doctor for a liver check-up and understand your limits.
6. Do not use illegal substances.
According to the ‘Magnitude of Substance Abuse in India’ 2019 survey, about 2.1% of India’s population (2.6 crores) uses opioids. Thousands of them die of substance abuse every year. They harm your liver as they pass through your liver.
7. Coffee in moderation is good.
A study by the Royal Society of Medicine in London says coffee consumption in moderation can reduce the risks of liver cancer and cirrhosis. According to the study, coffee consumption is associated with up to 40% reduced risk of developing liver cancer as opposed to non-coffee drinkers.
8. Avoid painkillers.
Prolonged use of painkillers puts stress on your liver to process all the toxins from your body. In addition, acetaminophen found in painkillers is known to cause liver failure in case of prolonged use. Consult your doctor for any advice on consuming painkillers if necessary due to some injury or illness.
Are liver supplements needed for liver care?
The best way to help your liver is through a balanced diet, exercise, and gain an edge by supplementing your lifestyle. Unfortunately, most people fail to get all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals through their diet. In such cases, it is best to supplement your diet to never fall short on the good nutrients your body very much needs.
Liver Detox by Foresta Organics.
With a powerful combination of Milk Thistle and Dandelion extracts, Liver Health brings you many benefits. Milk Thistle protects your liver from severe Cirrhosis, Jaundice, Hepatitis and supports your liver to improve its efficiency to perform various functions.
Dandelion promotes bile production, helps the liver in food digestion, and helps efficiently remove toxins, thus flushing your liver clean. The supplements also contain multi-vitamins that significantly rejuvenate you.
Benefits of Liver Detox-
- Supports alcohol metabolism.
- Rejuvenates liver cells.
- Flushes out toxins.
- Has antioxidant properties.
- The supplement also has potent diuretic effects.
Learn more about Liver Detox and the many benefits of Milk Thistle and Dandelion.