·
Liver creates
and excretes bile.
i· It cleans the blood.
·
It stores
energy.
·
It helps in
carbohydrate metabolism and detoxification
·
Synthesizes
cholesterol and triglycerides.
·
It aids in
Storing s glycogen, vitamin B12, iron, and copper.
·
It produces
proteins(protein synthesis) that maintain blood pressure.
·
It produces
coagulation factors.
·
It breaks
down haemoglobin.
·
It breaks
down toxic substances.
·
It converts
ammonia to urea.
It helps in the storage of vitamins and minerals.
It helps in digestion
The 2nd largest gland in the human body liver is
one of the most complex organs of the human body. The liver has many roles to play. It is essential for digesting food and its main role is to filter blood coming
from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body. It
detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs; storage of glycogen; the body’s primary source of short-time energy; synthesis of plasma protein. This complex
organ has 500+ more functions in our body identified.
Located in the upper right-hand corner of the abdomen, the liver is shaped
like a cone and weighs 3 pounds. Our body cannot live without the liver and currently, there is no artificial device capable of performing the many functions of this vital organ
is performing in our body. So it is most important to take care of our liver
health and prevent the development of diseases like Hepatitis and Cirrhosis. The liver is the only organ which can regenerate itself.
The liver regulates most chemical
levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile, which helps carry away
waste products from the liver. The production of biles also helps break down fats in
the small intestine during digestion. When the liver has broken down harmful
substances its by-products are excreted into the bile in the form of
faeces. Blood by-products are filtered by the kidneys and leave the body in the form of urine. Any harmful
foodstuffs or chemicals like excessive fatty foods, alcohol, drugs, transfats, pollution, coffee, etc entering the body on a regular basis can put a superfluous burden on the
liver disrupting the cycle.
Today’s lifestyle is the major culprit that silently but steadily destroys normal metabolism. Hectic schedules
leave very little time for the preparation and partake of balanced meals. The
taste and trend for junk food and the demand for instant packaged foods have
brought trans-fat-rich but nutrient-poor meals to the table. The main sufferer
of this assault is the liver. The metabolic syndrome which comprises several
metabolic disorders including visceral obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hypertension is on an ascent in India. This is mainly due to a sedentary
lifestyle, fast-food trends, poor genetics, poor stress management, and a horrendous
lifestyle. It has been proven that metabolic syndrome leads to Nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD)which is the accumulation of triglycerides within
liver cells.NAFLD is becoming the most common cause of chronic liver disease
in the developing world.
Regular
consumption of large amounts of
overheated hydrogenated and rancid fats leads to damage to liver cell the membrane as it surpasses the liver-friendly anti-inflammatory
prostaglandin. The liver cannot process this overload of fats efficiently. A recent study has provided evidence for a direct effect of TFA on liver
dysfunction causing the disturbances in liver lipid metabolism that result in
NAFLD.Prevalence estimates for non-alcoholic fatty liver range from 17% to 33%.In general populations and it has been estimated that non-alcoholic fatty
liver diseases exist in up to 70% of people with type 2 diabetes. Hence
maintenance of normal body weight and avoidance of intake of excess lipogenic
simple sugars would seem beneficial for the prevention of NAFLD and its metabolic
consequences.
· Today India
has the dubious distinction of being the diabetic capital of the world. It is
expected that the prevalence of the liver disease will burgeon here because diabetes
mellitus is an important risk factor for chronic liver disease and progression
of NASH to cirrhosis.
·
Another major
cause of liver disease is the consumption of drugs (medicines)Due
to illiteracy of health-related complications, some medicines are directly
injurious to health.
·
Another major
cause of liver disease is a viral infection. A recent study shows the Hepatitis C
virus causes liver-related death in large numbers of people annually. Hepatitis B
infection can also lead to acute liver failure.
·
Smoking is
another culprit that can accentuate
liver damage. A study shows that chronic hypoxia a hallmark side effect of
chronic smoking induces steatosis, liver inflammation, and fibrosis.
·
The relation
between excessive alcohol consumption and liver disease is well known. In
addition, alcohol directly causes liver disease. Alcohol consumption is
worsening conditions like liver injury, chronic viral hepatitis, hereditary
hemochromatosis and autoimmune liver
disease.
· Moreover an alcoholic with obesity has a 2/3 times higher risk of having alcoholic liver disease than non-obese alcoholics.
Protecting the liver:-
Eating a healthy diet and exercising
regularly helps the liver to work well. Consuming foods from all the food
groups; protein, grains, dairy products, and fats helps in maintaining a healthy
liver function.
Apart from consuming a healthy diet studies shows that consuming certain naturally occurring herbs or supplements is required for maintaining a healthy liver.
8 ways to achieve liver wellness
(1)Maintain a healthy weight:-keep your BMI under control
(2)Exercise regularly:-5 times in a week
(3)Eat balanced diet:- eat fiber rich foods
(4)Occassional alcohol permissible
(5)Avoid illicit drugs
(6)Avoid contaminated needles
(7)Avoid toxins
(8)Take organic food supplements
Few such Herb which has a tremendous impact on Maintaining our
Liver.
Milk Thistle and Dandelion - It is extracted from the seeds of the plant and has many important health benefits. Milk thistle extracts have been used to treat kidney and liver disease. Milk thistle is a flowering herb native to the Mediterranean region and for thousands of years. It has been used as a remedy for several ailments. However, it is primarily thought to have protective effects on the liver and improve its function. Milk thistle may benefit the liver by protecting and promoting the growth of liver cells, fighting oxidation, and inhibiting inflammation. For many centuries extracts of milk thistle have been used as a liver tonic. Milk thistle has been reported to have protective effects on the liver and greatly improve its function. It is typically used to treat“ liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis (liver inflammation),toxin-induced liver damage including prevention of liver damage from” Amanita phalloides”, Constipation, Prostate disease, Gall bladder disease.
Milk thistle can decrease blood sugar.
·
It Decreases
the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
·
Reduces
oxidation.
·
It helps
prevent damage due to excessive alcohol ingestion.
·
It protects
us from kidney diseases like Cisplatin.
·
Increase the growth of new tissues and repair liver
· Milk thistle increases good cholesterol.
·
It increases the production of Glutathione.
· Milk thistle is an antioxidant.
·
Maintains the
bile flow.
·
Protects
against iron damage in the liver.
· Milk thistle reduces inflammation.
Dandelion roots have been used
in many traditional medical systems, including
Native American and traditional Arabic medicines. Dandelion roots are
commonly used to treat liver diseases, kidney diseases, and spleen problems
today. You'll find it in the market Dandelion roots as a “liver tonic”.People use their
above-ground parts and roots to make medicine. It has been used to increase the flow of bile and aid in the digestion of fats. It has also been used to restore
appetite, calm the stomach, and as a diuretic.
Turmeric the Indian wonder spice also has a beneficial influence on the liver It shares similar liver-protecting compounds like that of milk thistle and is said to shrink enlarged hepatic ducts . Turmeric is useful to treat liver conditions such as “Jaundice”,” Alcoholic Hepatitis” and “Cirrhosis”.Moreover, Turmeric extract also has the ability to prevent the deposition of triacylglycerols in the liver. It has a long history of relieving inflammation by inhabiting certain enzymes and other substances within the inflammatory pathway. Turmeric may also improve to have an anti-cancer effect.
2. Dandelion Root—Helps to support normal physiological functioning of the liver
3. Turmeric—Rich in antioxidants and support normal
physiological functioning of the liver.
4. B vitamins-(B1, B2, B6, B12, Pantothenic acid and Niacin) support the formation of energy in the body.
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