The liver is often compared to a large chemical factory in which processes important for he alth and life are constantly taking place. Therefore, we should save it and take care of it. Here are the dietary rules that should be remembered so that the liver is not overloaded and does not let itself appear.
It is the largest organ and one of the hardest working. Insideof the liverare thousands of cells called hepatocytes that perform two main tasks. First of all - they convert nutrients into substances that are better absorbed by the body's cells (e.g. starch into simple sugar). Secondly - they detoxify the body fromtoxic substances , which come, for example, from food or are waste of metabolism. In addition, the liver produces not onlybile , necessary for digestion (about one and a half liters per day), but also heparin (regulates blood clotting) and some (immune) proteins. And besides, it is also a huge warehouse - it collects, among others glycogen, the body's back-up fuel, stores vitamins A, D, B12and significant amounts of iron. To cope with such important tasks, the liver must be in good condition. How to take care of it? It's not that hard - here are ten rules to follow.
Vegetable fat beneficial to the liver
Digesting fat requires an increased secretion of bile, forcing the liver to work very intensively. Animal fats rich in cholesterol are the greatest burden. It is much easier for the liver to deal with fish fat, and vegetable fat (olive oil, oil) is even beneficial for it - in moderate amounts, of course.
Important- An organ with unusual properties
The liver has great regenerative capacity. One of its two flaps can be removed (as a material for transplant or for therapeutic reasons), and the removed regeneration flap. However, too much and repeated damage to hepatocytes leads to disturbances in regeneration, as a result of which the architecture of the organ is destroyed, and hence - its functions stop.
- Liver research
The condition and function of this organ can be checked in many ways. Your doctor will usually order blood tests to begin with. liver tests (determination of, among others, the level of bilirubin - the main pigment of bile, some proteins and enzymes). Imaging tests are also helpful,mainly ptrasonography, which allows a fairly detailed examination of the liver. However, in the case of serious problems, more precise than ultrasound - computed tomography of this organ, scintigraphy or magnetic resonance imaging is more helpful. The hepatologist may also order a biopsy, i.e. the collection of liver cells for microscopic examination.
Drink alcohol in moderation if you want a he althy liver
Even small amounts of alcohol are deadly for the liver, provided it is drunk systematically. After some time, hepatocytes are damaged, and fibrosis develop in the liver parenchyma, that is, cirrhosis of this organ occurs. That is why alcohol, even the weak one, can only be used from time to time.
The liver works properly if it is not overloaded
Instead of 3 large meals, eat 5 or 6 smaller meals throughout the day. This way you will not force the liver to overstrain and enable it to properly perform its cleansing tasks and proper metabolism.
Vegetables good for the liver
Especially those with a lot of vitamin B1 , B2 , B6and PP (e.g. cabbage, broccoli, soybeans, corn, lettuce), important for the proper metabolism. There is also a lot of dietary fiber in vegetables. Boiled vegetables are best for the liver, while raw vegetables are better not to overdo it. You also need to be careful with fresh garlic, because the large amount of sulfur compounds it contains can irritate the liver.
Rushing eating places too much strain on the liver
A meal eaten in a hurry and swallowing large, badly chewed bites burden not only the stomach, but the entire digestive tract. Therefore, eat in peace and chew thoroughly. Then the liver will be able to supply the amount of bile necessary to digest the food and catch the harmful substances.
Spices serve the liver
They not only add flavor and aroma to dishes, but also make them easier to digest. The liver will serve the best: marjoram, juniper, thyme and mint (stimulate the secretion of gastric juices, facilitate the digestion of fats), cumin and oregano (relax the bile ducts, regulate the flow of bile into the duodenum, and increase the secretion of gastric juice). Spices that often irritate the digestive tract should be used moderately - pepper, curry, savory, hot pepper, mustard and vinegar, especially spirit vinegar.
If you want to avoid liver problems, lose weight wisely
Liver failure may contribute to overweight, which in turn lead to fatty liver disease and further aggravate disorders in its work, e.g. inbile secretion. Hence, gallstone disease primarily affects obese people. Therefore, one of the main recommendations for the prevention of this disease is: to lose excess weight. However, do not follow strict diets that cause rapid weight loss. Then, the bile in the gallbladder becomes excessively thickened and … stones are formed.
Herbs that serve the liver
The liver is used for hepatoprotective herbal extracts (protecting liver cells), such as milk thistle seeds and artichoke herb. Milk thistle contains silymarin - a substance that also increases the regenerative abilities of the liver cells, has a choleretic, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effect, while artichoke provides cnarein with a choleretic effect, accelerating the detoxification and regenerating the liver parenchyma.
In addition to herbal preparations, there are also other "liver" preparations, containing, among others, ornithine aspartate (accelerates the detoxification process and regenerates hepatocytes) or phospholipids (facilitates the reconstruction of the membranes of damaged liver cells).
Some drugs harm the liver
Sooner or later, the taken drug "passes" through the liver, and some of them undergo various changes in it. The result of these changes can be toxins, sometimes very harmful to the liver itself. Pharmaceuticals that may lead to liver cell damage when abused are, in particular, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, antibiotics, and agents containing sex hormones.
It is worth getting vaccinated against jaundice
You can catch the virus that causes hepatitis B at the dentist, beautician or even in the outpatient clinic during the procedure with poorly sterilized tools. And the infection - in extreme cases - can even lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. That is why it is worth getting vaccinated, because it is the only really effective protection against a dangerous virus.
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