What is the liver?
The liver is the largest vital organ and the largest gland in the human body. It performs more than 500 basic tasks. The liver consists of two lobes, the right lobe and the left lobe, and they are separated by a sickle ligament, which is a tissue that remains attached to the diaphragm, covered by a layer of fibrous tissue called Gleeson. Covering the outer part of the liver, this capsule is also covered with a membrane called the peritoneum, which helps to stabilize the liver and protect it from physical damage.
The importance of the liver
The main functions of the liver include the following: –
- The production of bile, which consists of bile salts, cholesterol, bilirubin, electrolytes, and water, to help the small intestine break down fats and help absorb fat-soluble vitamins, essential and essential fatty acids. This juicer breaks down fats to a certain degree, and then the pancreas secretes the lipase, the enzyme that performs to break down fats even more.
- Bilirubin metabolism, bilirubin consists of the decomposition of hemoglobin. The decomposed iron of hemoglobin is stored in the liver or bone marrow and is used to make the next generation of blood cells.
- The liver helps produce many types of proteins, such as high-density and low-density cholesterol, fatty proteins, as well as protein in the blood.
- The liver assists in the process of blood clotting by producing the important bile to absorb vitamin K, which is the clotting factor.
- The liver can convert ammonia into urea.
- Carbohydrates are stored in the liver in the form of glycogen, and they are metabolized to glucose and released to the bloodstream to maintain the normal levels of glucose whenever the need arises. In the event that carbohydrates are not available, the liver metabolizes protein.
- The liver stores vitamins A, D, E, K and B12, it can hold for several years, and iron hemoglobin is stored in the form of ferritin ready to make new red blood cells, and the liver stores and releases copper.
- The body filters toxins from the blood, alcohol, and medications that a person takes, and helps to neutralize excess hormones, such as estrogen and aldosterone.
- The liver also has immune functions, as it is part of the single-core phagocytic system and contains large numbers of Kupffer cells that participate in immune stimulation and destroy pathogens that can enter the liver through the gut.
- The liver produces albumin, which is a common blood serum protein that transports fatty acids and steroid hormones to help with proper pressure and prevent blood vessel leakage. This hormone raises blood pressure by narrowing blood vessels when stimulated by the production of an enzyme called renin in the kidneys.
- The liver produces albumin, which is a common blood serum protein that transports fatty acids and steroid hormones to help with proper pressure and prevent blood vessel leakage. This hormone raises blood pressure by narrowing blood vessels when stimulated by the production of an enzyme called renin in the kidneys.
Some diseases that could affect the liver
Liver diseases can be hereditary, and they can be caused by a combination of factors such as viruses, alcohol use, and obesity.
Genetic diseases include: –
Hemochromatosis.
Wilson’s disease.
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Gilbert Syndrome.
Diseases due to non-genetic factors
- Liver damage occurs because scar tissue replaces liver cells. This disease is caused by toxins accumulated in the body, alcoholism, and chronic hepatitis.
- Hepatitis, caused by viruses, accumulated toxins, or an autoimmune response.
- Fasciosis, caused by a parasitic worm known as liver luck, is a tropical disease.
- Alcoholic liver disease occurs due to alcoholism for a long period of time and can cause cirrhosis, which is considered one of the most common causes of cirrhosis around the world.
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a serious inflammatory disease of the bile ducts that leads to its destruction, is believed to be an autoimmune condition.
- Fatty liver disease, usually caused by excessive obesity or prolonged consumption of alcohol. If the cause is not alcohol use, the condition is called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- Liver cancer, the main causes are alcohol and hepatitis.
Some recommendations to help maintain proper functioning of the liver: –
- Eat more vegetables, such as radish, cabbage, cruciferous vegetables, organic beets, Brussels sprouts, garlic, and turmeric. Also, avoid eating sugars and refined carbohydrates.
- – Fasting because it depletes glycogen (glucose stores) and feeds on fats and thus pull body fat.
- Stimulating bile by eating healthy fats.
- Eat choline-containing foods. Choline is a vitamin B compound that is an anti-grease nutrient that breaks down body fat and extracts liver fat. It is found in egg yolks, seafood, wheat germ, Brussels sprouts, green cauliflower and cruciferous vegetables.
- Eat vegetables that stimulate the liver to produce glutathione to help flush out chemicals. It is found in onions, garlic, radishes, cruciferous vegetables, and parsley.
- Reducing the hormone insulin.
- Not consuming alcohol, excessive drinking causes cirrhosis over time. When the liver breaks alcohol, it produces toxic chemicals, such as acetaldehyde and free radicals.
- Do not mix medicines, because some drugs may interact with each other and affect negatively.
- Avoid inhaling chemicals when used in cleaning or gardening, by ventilating the area well and wearing a mask. Air-released chemicals can damage the liver because the liver has to treat any toxins entering the body.
- When traveling to countries where hepatitis A and B viruses or malaria are common, vaccination and prevention can be done to prevent, because malaria can grow and multiply in the liver, and yellow fever can lead to liver failure.
- Get medical care if you are exposed to another person’s blood, and do not share personal hygiene items, such as a toothbrush, and avoid dirty needles.
- Despite the liver’s ability to regenerate, in order for it to be able to do this it must be in good health. The liver can often be protected through lifestyle options and dietary measures.
- Oatmeal, a good option for breakfast, research shows that it can help get rid of some extra weight and abdominal fat, which is a good way to prevent liver disease.
- Avoid bad fatty foods such as french fries and burgers because of the difficulties it may cause the liver to do its work, over time it may lead to inflammation, which in turn can cause scarring in the liver known as cirrhosis.
- Coffee, studies show that drinking two to three cups a day of coffee can protect the liver from damage caused by excessive alcohol intake or an unhealthy diet. Some research indicates that it may reduce the risk of liver cancer.
- – Reducing sugar or turning away from it altogether, because it can affect the liver, because part of the liver’s function is to convert sugar into fat.
- Drink green tea, because it contains a type of antioxidant called catechins
- Research indicates that it may protect against some types of cancer, including the liver.
- Drink water instead of sweetened drinks such as soft drinks or ready-made juices at the supermarket.
- Eating almonds, because it is a good source of vitamin E, research indicates that almonds may help protect the liver from fatty liver disease, which is also good for the heart.
- Avoid eating processed salted foods, such as cold cuts or bacon, because they contain a lot of sodium, which can lead to cirrhosis. Also choose fresh vegetables instead of canned.
- – Spinach, leafy vegetables contain powerful antioxidants called glutathione, which can help keep your liver working properly.
- Berries contain nutrients called polyphenols that help protect the liver from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Dark chocolate, olives and peaches can also be eaten because these foods are also rich in polyphenols.
- It is possible to prepare a green drink full of enzymes beneficial for the liver, consisting of rapeseed, beet leaves and parsley.
- Cabbage contains potassium, vitamins A, C and K and is useful for melting liver fat and is great for getting rid of toxins.
- Beet leaves are rich in potassium and are important for increasing bile in the gallbladder.
- Parsley contains more vitamin A than turnip and contains magnesium, zinc and potassium. It is very useful for the liver and gallbladder and helps to get rid of toxins and cleanse the liver.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305075#health
https://www.drberg.com/blog/best-liver-cleansing-shake-for-a-fatty-liver
https://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/ss/slideshow-best-and-worst-foods-for-your-liver
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