Liver Detox

Your liver is your most priceless possession. It takes care of 400+ body functions and is your body’s natural detoxifier. It filters toxins such as drugs ,alcohol, air pollution and preservatives from your blood converting them into waste. It also synthesizes blood clotting. Bile is an enzyme produced by the liver which aids in the breaking down of fats in the small intestine.

Liver damage risk factors:

• Liver damage can happen over years due to overindulgence in alcohol
• Fatty liver is a condition of too much fat storage. It could be due to poor eating habits and obesity or due to heavy alcohol consumption.
• Liver damage can happen from acetaminophen, which can be severe, can result either from an overdose or from regular doses that are taken while drinking alcohol.
• Inhaling or exposure to chemicals such as a dry cleaning solution called carbon tetrachloride, the weed killer paraquat, and polychlorinated biphenyls can harm your liver.
• Liver disease can be caused due to viral hepatitis.

Liver Detox

A few decades ago we could count how many people consumed alcohol. In this millennium you can count how many people do not drink alcohol. As the number of alcohol consumers increases it is essential to take care of vital organs which support you.  The liver is a unique organ which  can completely regenerate itself even if 50 to 60 percent damage is done. It regenerates entirely with new cells every 30 days depending on your age and other health conditions.  You can’t take your liver for granted and keep on abusing alcohol every day. Drinking moderately according to various studies prevents cardiovascular disease and lowers the risk for dementia and other ills. What hasn’t made as many headlines are the downsides, especially drinking that starts at a moderate level but eventually becomes a problem. Moderate drinking means no more than seven drinks per week. If you are drinking more than 3 to 4 drinks per day, that means you are an alcoholic.

Liver and Allergies

If the liver is not functioning well, seasonal pollen allergies and food sensitivities may increase.  A sluggish liver cannot filter toxins well,  due to which the immune system is over stimulated to produce inflammatory chemicals (histamines, etc.).  Histamines are mainly responsible for allergic reactions in the body.

Tips to control your urge for drinking

• Keep your house alcohol-free.
• Learn to say no at events where alcohol is served. Take a non alcoholic drink with you to stop the urge for drinking.
• Have early dinner and sleep early, so that you don’t have the urge to drink.

• Be firm and polite on “no, thanks!” for alcohol at social events . Have a strong will. Don’t give in to social pressure.

“Our bodies are our gardens – our wills are our gardeners.”  ~William Shakespeare

You can detox your body by staying away from processed food . If possible, eat organic food and whole grains. All the detox juices which are marketed to help your damaged liver don’t work as advertised. Staying away from alcohol is the only way you can repair your damaged liver. Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B. For hepatitis C there are oral medications which can cure the disease. Don’t be overweight, eating healthy can protect you from fatty liver disease.
Below are some foods which can help the liver to function better

1. Milk thistle has been shown to decrease liver inflammation.
2. Citrus Fruits: Fruits like oranges, limes and lemons all boost the liver cleansing ability. They help the liver to produce the detoxifying enzymes that flush out pollutants.
3. Vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower contain glucosinolate, which helps the liver to produce detoxifying enzymes. They also contain sulfur compounds that aid with liver health. Leafy vegetables are high in chlorophyll, which leaches toxins out of the blood stream. They can neutralize heavy metals to protect the liver.
4. Turmeric: This herb works wonders for the liver—it helps the enzymes that flush out toxins and contains antioxidants that repair liver cells. It also assists the liver in detoxing metals, while boosting bile production.

Work with your physician to come up with the healthiest and safest plan for your personal needs. Children and teens are growing up by observing parents eating and drinking habits. It is the parents’ responsibility to instill good healthy habits.