It is not for nothing that this organ is called an internal laboratory; hundreds of vital processes are continuously taking place in it. We figure out what foods will help the liver to cope with the load and recover from damage.
15 September 2017
Vitamin B4 (choline) helps the liver perform its main function of neutralizing toxins. Choline is produced by the body, but in insufficient quantities, therefore it is necessary to include foods with its high content in the diet. In addition to egg yolk, kefir and sour cream, B4 is found in the liver and heart, in oatmeal, sprouted wheat grains, salads, spinach and cabbage. Almost all of these foods are also rich in lipoic acid, which is essential for carbohydrate and fat metabolism.
The fact is that with an unbalanced diet, the liver saves fat for a “hungry day”. If it does not come, there is a risk of the formation of fatty deposits, which occupy most of the cells. As a result, nutrients do not enter the liver, cells cannot not only function, but also self-repair. The rest cannot cope with the work, passing harmful substances into the blood. They spread throughout the body, inflicting a powerful toxic blow on it. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to remove fatty, fried, fast food from the diet and replace all this with healthy products.
Another advantage of lipoic acid is that it activates the work of antioxidants, protecting the liver from the effects of hazardous substances, and removes bile from the body.
These foods contain vitamin E in abundance, or, as it is also called, the vitamin of life, which is essential for liver health. One of the important functions of this organ is regeneration, the ability to recover from various injuries. Vitamin E protects against destruction, slows down the aging process, normalizes metabolism, activates the protective functions of the whole organism. In addition, E is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes the effects of toxins, poisons and free radicals. Its highest concentration is found in wheat germ oil, cottonseed oil and sunflower oil. Pumpkin seed oil (and pumpkin in general) helps to better absorb fatty foods and relieves the liver. Flaxseed oil is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory.
Sea buckthorn contains a whole range of useful trace elements, including sodium, magnesium, calcium and iron. In addition, recent studies have shown that sea buckthorn can increase liver resistance even in those who overload the body with bad habits for many years. This berry triggers defense mechanisms and normalizes fat metabolism, which contributes to the removal of intoxication products from the body. Despite the obvious benefits of oils, you cannot get carried away with them, they are very high in calories.
Rosehip, black currant, beet
All red and yellow vegetables and fruits are the favorites of the liver. There are more useful substances that help her to maintain the health of the whole body than in others. First, these foods contain vitamin A, which fights cholesterol, maintains cell integrity, speeds up the healing process, and provides powerful antioxidant protection. Secondly, they are rich in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and increases the body’s resistance to infections. In addition, the vitamin neutralizes the effects of intoxication, protecting the liver from destruction, and enhances the protection of cells. For people with health problems, dried apricots are especially recommended, which replaces sugar, removes harmful cholesterol, cleanses the body of toxins, unloading the liver.
Thanks to the healing composition, the rosehip keeps the liver in good shape. In addition to potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, it is rich in carotene and riboflavin. The latter not only normalizes the liver, but also stimulates the production of bile and its outflow from the body. Beets have the strongest cleansing effect, but you need to use them with caution; in some diseases, the vegetable is contraindicated.
These plants have a unique composition. Milk thistle contains about 400 valuable components, including trace elements, vitamins and oils. But the main thing is silymarin, which has been used in medicine for the treatment of the liver since ancient times. It supports the liver, helps cells to regenerate and form, destroys toxins, and prevents poisons from entering tissues. Milk thistle is recommended for chronic hepatitis, cholecystitis, for recovery after long-term drug treatment, as well as for toxic organ damage (harmful habits, improper diet, poisoning with natural or chemical poisons). Silymarin is also found in artichoke.
Together with another valuable component of this vegetable, cinarin, it strengthens the membranes of existing cells, preventing them from being destroyed, and promotes the formation of new ones. And this is especially important for those who still have not got rid of bad habits or abuse spicy and fried foods. The liver, not having time to simultaneously cope with a large volume of harmful substances and recover, is gradually destroyed. The artichoke is able to cleanse the organ from the effects of any adverse factors (be it bad habits, the effects of long-term medication or improper diet) and activate the regeneration function. The artichoke completely destroys toxins, therefore it is indicated for severe poisoning with harmful substances. The vegetable has a choleretic and anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, it normalizes the digestive process, promotes the formation of bile and its outflow from the body, and suppresses inflammatory processes.
– Everything that we eat must pass through the liver, where it undergoes a preparation process for harmless ingestion into the blood, that is, it acquires a water-soluble form. All toxins and unfamiliar substances become harmless, they partly settle in the liver cells for a short or long time, are partially broken down and completely destroyed. When too many harmful substances accumulate, liver cells die. And if you hit the organ on a daily basis, it will gradually be damaged and begin to work poorly.
This means that, firstly, you need to monitor the diet. Margarine, bacon, fatty meats, rich broths, smoked meats, carbonated drinks, canned food, sweets, hot spices, fast food – it is not easy to give up all this, but it is quite possible to limit consumption. Add seafood, mild vegetables, fruits, dairy products, nuts to your daily menu. They help to improve the function of the pancreas and help in the liver regeneration process.
Secondly, give up bad habits. The liver is able to repair its damaged cells, but for this it is necessary to limit the ingress of hazardous substances into the body. Preventing a disease is much easier than curing it, so get a routine check-up once a year. Especially if you have bad habits or are overweight. The main symptoms of liver problems are pain in the right hypochondrium, stool disturbance, plaque on the tongue, and yellowness.
And make it a rule to lead an active lifestyle – cardio and aerobic training – running, Nordic walking, swimming, cycling not only save you from extra pounds, but also protect the liver from inflammation. Two or three lessons a week is enough. If you have neither time nor energy left for the gym, try to walk more, take up dancing or yoga.