Pick foods that give you a healthy liver. Plan your menu and bring the right food for you. Eating liver healing foods can overcome excess inflammation and support liver to function normally.
About Liver
The liver is a huge glandular organ located on the right side of the abdominal cavity, which is protected by the rib cage. It is reddish brown in color and weighs about 1.36 kg. The two largest vessels namely hepatic artery and portal veins carry blood to the liver.
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The artery carries oxygen-rich blood from the biggest blood vessel in the heart called the aorta while the vein carries blood that comprises of digested food from the small intestine. The liver can regenerate itself and performs various functions in your body that are as follows:
- It processes nutrients so that they can be utilized to produce essential proteins and fats in the process of metabolism.
- It works to filter the blood and remove toxins and unhealthy cells from the blood. It converts the waste product of the body into urea that is excreted in the urine.
- It helps in the production of bile that is necessary for the digestion of food, in particular fats. It also helps in the manufacturing of cholesterol and other chemicals needed for fat transport.
- It processes and stores iron required for the production of red blood cells.
- It converts extra glucose into stored glycogen in liver cells and then transferred it back into glucose when required by the body.
- It also helps in the production of blood clotting factors.
- Amino acids, the building blocks of protein are produced with the help of the liver, including those used to help fight off infection.
The liver helps powers your body by restoring and releasing energy when required by your body. It plays a major role in transferring food into the essential chemicals required for normal metabolic functions. An individual can’t live without a functioning liver. Almost all tissues and cells present in our body depend on upon the liver. Therefore, it is crucial to make food choices for a healthy liver. Each day your liver may have to deal with the damaging effects of high alcohol, environmental pollutants, processed food, and stress. The lifestyle changes can impact on the normal liver function, which can affect the way you feel on a daily basis. There is no doubt that this football shaped organ performs its function to maintain optimum health and wellbeing. The liver is the most active organ, participating in about 500 biological functions in the body.
There is no specific diet for a healthy liver, but theses general guidelines will help ensure that your liver is functioning properly.
- Choose a variety of food groups containing low-fat food. Cut back on the amount of fatty, high sugar, or fried foods you eat.
- Eat at least two servings of the meat and alternative food groups such as peanut butter, peas, fish, dried beans, lentils, etc.
- Divide your meals into small portions and have it regularly. Do not skip your meals or overeat.
- Consume at least eight glasses of water daily. Water is the great choice because it helps flush waste products out of the liver. If it is possible, squeeze some fresh lemon juice into it; it will add to the benefits of water.
- Avoid consuming alcohol or if you choose to drink, then drink in moderation, do not have more than one or two drinks per occasion. Never drink on a regular basis.
- Consult with your health care specialist if you are thinking of taking vitamin or herbal supplements to improve your liver health. Herbal supplements may cause liver damage and certain vitamins, especially vitamin A may be harmful to liver health if consumed in higher doses.
- Try to choose organic food. The fewer chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, the less your organ has to filter.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and always wash them right before use to remove pesticides.
Best food choices to cleanse your liver
Treat your liver right with these seven cleansing foods.
- Onions- Containing a high amount of allicin that helps flush out the toxins from the liver and the digestive tract.
- Lemon juice- Lemon juice has vitamin C that allows the body to get rid of toxins. It effectively lowers the cholesterol levels. Start your morning with a glass of water mixed with one teaspoon of lemon juice.
- Cruciferous vegetables- The green leafy vegetables protects the liver by neutralizing the chemicals such as aflatoxin found in peanuts, pesticides in fruits and nitrosamines found in cigarette smoke. These also contain glucosinolates that help the liver to produce enzymes that are required for the detoxification processes.
- Walnuts- These nuts contain glutathione, and omega-3 fatty acids, both helps the three pounds, the rubbery organ through its cleansing process.
- Beetroot- A high amount plant of flavonoids in the beet can contribute to improving the overall function of the liver.
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- Grapefruit- Filled with antioxidants, this high vitamin C containing fruit helps your liver flush out carcinogens.
- Turmeric- It is a potent anti-inflammatory agent as well as a fantastic natural pain reliever. It is considered to be one of the best liver healing foods available in the market. It is the best food for a healthy liver.
