Tag Archives: Function Of The Liver

Liver health and effects of alcohol

Gras. Fois gras. (Fat liver...).

Alcohol has been used for many things for many generations, maybe even as far back as prehistoric times. Alcohol has both positive and negative effects. For example, moderate consumption of alcohol can reduce heart attack risk because it raises the amount of high density lipoproteins (aka “good cholesterol) in the blood stream. It can also improve appetite and assist in the digestion process.

On the negative side, however, alcohol is known to cause mood swings, aggression and perhaps most familiarly, hangovers. Chronic consumption of alcohol and alcohol abuse can increase the risk of cancer, stroke, heart and liver disease.

Alcohol is unlike most foods in the sense that it is not digested. More than 90 percent of it is absorbed by the stomach lining, where it goes straight into the bloodstream. From there the liver breaks down alcohol. This process can vary in the amount of time it takes depending on whether the alcohol was consumed on its own or with food. Generally the effects of alcohol and the speed in which it is metabolized by the liver are much faster when the stomach is empty. On average, it takes 3 to 5 hours to fully break down alcohol.

The liver is particularly vulnerable to damage. Some forms of liver disease include fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and ultimately cirrhosis or scarring of the liver. Alcohol causes an increase in the number of fatty cells in the liver. Fatty cells can build up quite quickly. These interfere with the body’s ability to utilize omega-3 fatty acids which are required by the body to manufacture good cholesterol.

Located in the upper right of the abdomen, the liver is the main processing center for essential chemical and metabolic functions. It stores vitamins, iron, minerals and glycogen. It also serves to produce cholesterol, amino acids and other compounds. Perhaps the most important function of the liver is to remove harmful waste product from the blood.

The human body is able to function with only one quarter of a healthy liver.

Livers are able to regenerate itself; however continued alcohol use may impair its ability to heal itself. This results in complications such as metabolizing glucose (blood sugar) and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

People with liver disease are typically deficient in fat-soluble vitamins such as A and D. They may also have low blood serum levels of water-soluble vitamins including folate, niacin and thiamine. Alcoholics are especially prone to these deficiencies. Ingesting alcohol puts a great deal of stress on the liver especially in conjunction with a poor diet. Poor liver health as a result of alcohol abuse can ultimately lead to death. Whole or partial liver transplants are sometimes the only recourse a person has when the liver fails.

In order to protect liver health, certain foods can be used. These include fish, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, dark green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits and plant proteins. Ideally excess consumption of alcohol, red meats or saturated fats should be avoided.

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The Importance And Benefits Of Liver Cleansing Detox Diet

Liver Cleanse Standard Process Diet

The liver is the organ responsible for filtering toxins from the bloodstream. To have a healthy liver, it is advisable to go on a liver cleansing detox diet. Studies show that a liver cleansing detox diet can improve health, immune system and also aids in establishing a healthy and normal body weight.

For people who are suffering from a disease that makes them lose some pounds inadvertently, enhanced function of the liver through liver cleansing detox diet can restore the normal appetite and healthy body weight. For people who want to lose some pounds intentionally, the same detox diet also helps.

Liver cleansing detox diet also helps treat skin disorders like acne. This is because everything that we eat goes directly to the liver through our bloodstream. A lot of toxic substances will pile up in our liver since its function is to remove pollutants from our blood and if the liver is unhealthy, it will become congested. Congested liver is a major cause of many health problems.

Before you begin with the liver cleansing detox diet, it is important that you write down any symptoms that you are currently experiencing, if there is any. Afterwards, check your records every month and write down the changes in your body that you have noticed. Keeping track of your liver cleansing detox diet is a good way to watch your healthy developments.

Basically, the liver cleansing detox diet obliges you to eat whole healthy foods. This includes fruits and vegetables high in fiber. Intake of raw and fresh fruits and vegetables can give your body enzymes that help create healthy and strong cells and drinking fresh vegetable and fruit juices also provides enzymes and vitamins without straining the liver in the absorption process.

In eating vegetable salads, make sure that choose dark leafy greens with a salad dressing that is low in fat and sugar. For a low-fat protein source, you can eat fish at least twice a week. You should also avoid foods high in cholesterol, sugar, caffeine and preservatives. Drinking plenty of water also aids in flushing away toxins from the body. It is crucial that you drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep you completely hydrated.

Liver cleansing detox diet is a good way to lose excess body weight. However, this type of diet may have unpleasant results that can last for several days up to a few weeks. Symptoms of detoxification include dizziness, headache, nausea, irritability, diarrhea and loss of appetite. However, you should never let these symptoms stop you from revitalizing your liver. The benefits of having a healthy liver can overshadow the discomforts of dieting and detoxification. Before trying out a new dietary program, it is best that you consult a certified dietitian to avoid risks.

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How To Do Liver Cleansing

roasted asparagus and red peppers seasoned with olive oil, garlic, sea salt and black pepper

Liver cleansing is an effective method to remove gallstones. It improves your digestion, which is for good health. Many symptoms of allergies start to disappear, when you periodically cleanse your liver. Liver cleansing can also boost your energy levels. In certain people, cleansing of the liver helps in alleviating upper back and shoulder pain. You can achieve all this without much ill side effects.

An important function of the liver is the production of bile. The bile is moved into the common bile duct through many biliary tubes. The common bile duct passes it to the gallbladder which acts as a storehouse. The stored bile is released for the digestion of fats. Apart from this, the liver stores glucose and vitamins. It also helps in the metabolism of protein and fats. Liver is also an important detoxifier.

The formation of gallstones affects the functioning of liver. You will only notice the presence of gallstones in an advanced stage. This is one of the reasons why many people choose periodical liver cleansing. This helps in flushing out the gallstones in their initial stage of development.

Liver cleansing can be performed at your home. There are many easy liver cleanse recipes for this.

This is a popular liver cleansing recipe. The ingredients needed are:

a)1 cup olive oil

b)4 table spoons Epsom salts
c)three cups of fresh grape juice
d)grape fruit

Determine an appropriate day for liver cleanse. On that day, avoid all medicines. For breakfast, eat food without fat. The best method is to have a fruit diet. Select a time to start the liver cleansing procedure. It is better to start in the afternoon. You should stop eating four hours before taking the first course. So if you plan to take the concoction at 1900 hrs, stop eating at 1500 hrs.

First, mix 4 table spoons of Epsom salts with the three cups of fresh grape juice. This should make four servings. Drink the first serving now. After two hours, take another serving.

After another two hours, squeeze the grape fruit into a cup. Remove the pulp. It should be at least half the cup. Now add this to the olive oil and shake well to make it watery. Take the concoction and lie down rightaway and go to bed.

Next morning, on awakening immediately take the third serving of Epsom salt mixture. After two hours, take the remaining serving. After another two hours you can start your normal diet with fruits.

After completing the recipe, you are sure to have diarrhea. Gallstones will be flushed out with the bowel movement. You can undertake this liver cleanse twice in a year. Spring is the ideal time. Never undertake liver cleanse during winter.

If you are doing liver cleanse for the first time, it is best to seek the guidance of a qualified practitioner. You want to ensure that you are getting the procedure right and taking the necessary precautions.

We have only one liver and its healthy maintenance is important. If you have not had a liver cleanse, consider it now.

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