HUMAN LIVER: Some Tips & Foods For A Healthy Liver.

Human Liver

You Are Healthy If

Your Liver Is Healthy!

It Performs 500 Functions

Including Blood-Filtering

And Detoxification

Some Tips And Foods

For A Healthy Liver

(M. Javed Naseem)

Human liver is a reddish-brown wedge-shaped organ with two large sections, called the right and the left lobes. The gallbladder sits under the liver, along with parts of the pancreas and intestines. The liver and these organs work together to digest, absorb, and process food. A human liver normally weighs 1.44 kg to 1.66 kg (between 3.2 lbs and 3.7 lbs), and has a width of about 15 cm. It is both the heaviest internal organ and the largest gland in the human body.

The liver's main job is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body. The liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs. As it does so, the liver secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines. The liver also makes proteins important for blood clotting and other functions. The various functions of the liver are carried out by the liver cells or hepatocytes. The liver is thought to be responsible for up to 500 separate functions, usually in combination with other systems and organs.

The liver is connected to two large blood vessels:  Hepatic artery, and the portal vein. The hepatic artery carries oxygen-rich blood from the aorta, whereas the portal vein carries blood rich in digested nutrients from the entire gastrointestinal tract; and also from the spleen and pancreas.

It's an organ that can be damaged easily if you don't take good care of it. And once you damage it or trash it, it's gone. Currently, there is no artificial organ or device capable of reproducing all the functions of the liver. Some functions can be carried out by liver dialysis which is still an experimental treatment for liver failure. Artificial livers are yet to be developed to promote long-term replacement in the absence of the liver. As of 2017, liver transplant is the only option for complete liver failure.

Keeping Liver Healthy

Dr. Lee Ser Yee, S​enior Consultant at the Singapore General Hospital, shares some ways to keep your liver healthy.

Limit your alcohol intake and drink in moderation

Our liver can only process or break down a small amount of alcohol every hour. Beyond this, it can damage the liver cells and lead to inflammation and scarring (cirrhosis).

For this reason, men and women should limit their alcohol intake.

Regular exercise and have an active lifestyle

Regular exercise is key to a healthy liver. Exercise decreases stress on the liver, increases energy levels and helps to prevent obesity – a risk factor for liver disease. Aim for a total of 150 minutes of exercise, such as brisk walking or swimming per week.

Have a balanced and healthy diet: Less fatty foods and more fibre

High levels of fat in the blood (hyperlipidaemia) and high levels of cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) are common causes of fatty liver disease.

Reduce the amount of saturated fats, transfats and hydrogenated fats in your diet.

Saturated fats are found in deep fried foods, red meats and dairy products. Trans and hydrogenated fats are found in processed foods. The liver stores excess dietary fat and fat buildup can eventually bring on fatty liver disease.

Eat more high-fibre foods such as fruits and vegetables and whole grains. For proteins, choose more fish, white meat, beans and nuts and cut down on red meat.

Watch your body weight

Obesity, particularly, abdominal or central obesity, is a major risk factor for developing fatty liver disease. Together with a balanced diet and regular exercise, a healthy weight can be achieved and maintained.

Aim for the ideal body mass index (BMI) target. The healthy cut-off values recommended for Singaporeans are between 18.5 and 22.9.

Get vaccinated

Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, both viral liver infections. Hepatitis A is contracted from contaminated food and water- avoid raw or contaminated seafood or shellfish.

Hepatitis B can be contracted through sexual contact, contaminated blood and needles. If you choose not to get vaccinated against hepatitis B, practice safer sex.

Be careful with traditional medicine and remedies

Some of these over-the-counter traditional medicines or remedies contain heavy metals or unknown toxins. They can result in liver toxicity or they can stress and affect the regular functioning of your liver.

Over-supplementation of traditional medicine may cause liver inflammation and can lead to irreversible liver damage or even failure. Please consult your liver specialist prior to consumption if in doubt.

Be careful of weight loss pills or fad diets

Over-the-counter weight loss pills which are available without a prescription may contain toxins and ingredients which can be harmful to the liver such as:

ephedra (ma huang in Chinese)

kombucha

pennyroyal

skullcap

cascara

chaparral

comfrey and

kava.

Fad diets that make your weight swing up and down aggressively put excessive stress on your liver. Be careful of any diet that promises large amounts of weight loss in an unrealistically short period. These diets are usually lacking in essential nutrients and are not beneficial but harmful to your liver.

Take care in consuming liver cleansing and detox diets.

Contrary to popular belief, no particular diet is proven to be liver cleansing. Please ask your doctor or dietitian to help you create a healthy diet.

Take care and protect yourself against Hepatitis B or C

Hepatitis C has no vaccine available currently. Hepatitis C can be transmitted sexually or if there is a chance of blood-to-blood contact.

Practice safe sex and avoid unnecessary sharing of toothbrushes, razors, needles and other personal care items – these can also transmit hepatitis B or C.

If you are a Hepatitis B or C carrier, consult your doctor for a screening program to detect problems early. If your parents are carrier and/or you are not sure, get a Hepatitis screen.

Take care if you have Diabetes, Hypertension and/or High cholesterol:

Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol form a metabolic syndrome with obesity, posing major risks for fatty liver disease.

Keeping your diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol under good control with diet, exercise and/or medications can help limit and prevent liver damage. Please keep regular follow-ups with your family doctor.

Some anti-cholesterol medicines can occasionally have a side effect that causes liver problems. Some medicines can hurt your liver if you drink alcohol when you take them, or if you take many drugs in combination. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your medications if in doubt.

Cut down smoking or stop smoking

There are some studies that link cigarette smoking with the development of liver cancer. Smoking can also enhance the toxic effects that some medications (such as Paracetamol) have on the liver.

(Courtesy: https://www.healthxchange.sg/digestive-system/liver/tips-healthy-liver)

From: WebMD

Human Anatomy

By Matthew Hoffman, MD

 

Liver Conditions

Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by viruses like hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis can have non-infectious causes too, including heavy drinking, drugs, allergic reactions, or obesity.

Cirrhosis: Long-term damage to the liver from any cause can lead to permanent scarring, called cirrhosis. The liver then becomes unable to function well.

Liver Cancer: The most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, almost always occurs after cirrhosis is present.

Liver Failure: Liver failure has many causes including infection, genetic diseases, and excessive alcohol.

Ascites: As cirrhosis results, the liver leaks fluid (ascites) into the belly, which becomes distended and heavy.

Gallstones: If a gallstone becomes stuck in the bile duct draining the liver, hepatitis and bile duct infection (cholangitis) can result.

Hemochromatosis: Hemochromatosis allows iron to deposit in the liver, damaging it. The iron also deposits throughout the body, causing multiple other health problems.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A rare disease with unknown causes, primary sclerosing cholangitis causes inflammation and scarring in the bile ducts in the liver.

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: In this rare disorder, an unclear process slowly destroys the bile ducts in the liver. Permanent liver scarring (cirrhosis) eventually develops.

(Courtesy: (https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-liver#1) 

14 Foods That Cleanse the Liver

By Dr. Edward F. Group 

(Guest writer for Wake Up World)

Modern society is a sad state that produces many over-processed livers. When we overeat or eat processed or fried foods, and, anytime we are exposed to environmental pollutants or stress, the liver becomes overworked and overloaded. When the liver is taxed, it can’t process toxins and fat in an efficient way.

There are many foods that can help cleanse the liver naturally by stimulating its natural ability to clean toxic waste from the body.

In the past, I have discussed my favorite cleansing foods. This list is more specific and focuses mainly on foods that can help cleanse your liver. Eating the following foods is the best way to keep your liver healthy and functioning the way you need it to. I would encourage you to incorporate these liver cleanse foods into your weekly diet.

1. Garlic

Just a small amount of this pungent white bulb has the ability to activate liver enzymes that help your body flush out toxins. Garlic also holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing.

2. Grapefruit

High in both vitamin C and antioxidants, grapefruit increases the natural cleansing processes of the liver. A small glass of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice will help boost production of the liver detoxification enzymes that help flush out carcinogens and other toxins.

3. Beets and Carrots

Both are extremely high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene; eating beets and carrots can help stimulate and improve overall liver function.

4. Green Tea

This liver-loving beverage is full of plant antioxidants known as catechins, a compound known to assist liver function. Green tea is not only delicious, it’s also a great way to improve your overall diet. Learn more about the benefits of green tea.

5. Leafy Green Vegetables

One of our most powerful allies in cleansing the liver, leafy greens can be eaten raw, cooked, or juiced. Extremely high in plant chlorophylls, greens suck up environmental toxins from the blood stream. With their distinct ability to neutralize heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides, these cleansing foods offer a powerful protective mechanism for the liver.

Try incorporating leafy greens such as bitter gourd, arugula, dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens, and chicory into your diet. This will help increase the creation and flow of bile, the substance that removes waste from the organs and blood.

6. Avocados

This nutrient-dense super-food helps the body produce glutathione, a compound that is necessary for the liver to cleanse harmful toxins.

7. Apples

High in pectin, apples hold the chemical constituents necessary for the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. This, in turn, makes it easier for the liver to handle the toxic load during the cleansing process.

8. Olive Oil

Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp and flax-seed are great for the liver, when used in moderation. They help the body by providing a lipid base that can suck up harmful toxins in the body. In this way, it takes some of the burden off the liver in terms of the toxic overload many of us suffer from.

9. Alternative Grains

It’s not only that you need alternative grains like quinoa, millet, and buckwheat in your diet, it’s that if you’ve got wheat, flour, or other whole grains in your diet, it’s time to make changes. Your liver is your body’s filter for toxins, and grains that contain gluten are full of them. A study last year found that persons who experienced gluten sensitivities also had abnormal liver enzyme test results, and that’s just one of many.

10. Cruciferous Vegetables

Eating broccoli and cauliflower will increase the amount of glucosinolate in your system, adding to enzyme production in the liver. These natural enzymes help flush out carcinogens, and other toxins, out of our body which may significantly lower risks associated with cancer.

Watermelon (fruit and juice) 

• Watermelon is one of the best fruits for cleansing the kidneys and stimulating proper liver function, thanks to its diuretic properties and ability to detox the body.
• The juice from watermelon is the healthiest way to consume it because it’s more quickly absorbed into the tissues and bloodstream, which further stimulates good kidney function.
• Always choose fresh watermelon. If your fruit is overripe, it can cause more problems than benefits.

11. Lemons & Limes

These citrus fruits contain very high amounts of vitamin C, which aids the body in synthesizing toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water. Drinking freshly-squeezed lemon or lime juice in the morning helps stimulate the liver.

12. Walnuts

Holding high amounts of the amino acid arginine, walnuts aid the liver in detoxifying ammonia. Walnuts are also high in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids, which support normal liver cleansing actions. Make sure you chew the nuts well (until they are liquefied) before swallowing.

13. Cabbage

Much like broccoli and cauliflower, eating cabbage helps stimulate the activation of two crucial liver detoxifying enzymes that help flush out toxins. Try eating more kimchi, coleslaw, cabbage soup and sauerkraut.

14. Turmeric

The liver’s favorite spice. Try adding some of this detoxifying goodness into your next lentil stew or veggie dish for an instant liver pick-me-up. Turmeric helps boost liver detox, by assisting enzymes that actively flush out dietary carcinogens.

Other liver cleanse foods not listed above include artichoke, asparagus, kale, and brussel sprouts.

About the author:

Dr. Edward F. Group founded Global Healing Center in 1998 and is currently the CEO. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.

His Global Healing Center has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the internet.

(Courtesy: https://wakeup-world.com/2015/07/01/14-foods-that-cleanse-the-liver-detox/?utm_campaign=Wake+Up+World)

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