Healthy Liver

Healthy Liver

Tips to Maintaining a Healthy Liver

The human liver needs plenty of nutrients to perform metabolic activities and be healthy. To a great extent, your overall health depends on the proper functioning of this organ. Thousands of enzymes that filter and control all aspects of the human body are created by the liver. Failure to create enzymes can cause metabolic stress on your body which can lead to disease.

Here are some easy tips to ensuring your liver is running optimally:

1. Fruits and vegetables are at the top of our list for providing support and maintenance as they are nutrient dense. As the liver detoxifies chemicals, it is important to reduce your exposure to agricultural chemicals and eat as much organic as possible.

2. Moderate consumption of alcohol is important to liver health since this organ postpones other functions as it processes and metabolizes the booze.

3. Limit fried and high-fat foods that are hard on your liver to metabolize. There's only so much fat and processed foods your liver can filter at a time. Doctors believe that gallstones, a liver-related disease, can be greatly reduced by limiting high-fat, high-cholesterol foods.

4. Foods that are rich in sulfur such as cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussels sorouts), onions, garlic and egg yolks support the liver's ability to detoxify. In fact, sulfur-rich foods can help rid your liver of environmental toxins, pesticides and prescription medication.

5. Spice it up with turmeric, cinnamon and licorice when cooking which further enhances liver function and cleansing.

6. If you're looking for a liver supplement, take a look at LiverCare - an Ayurvedic formula that has over 200 clinical studies touting it's efficacy and safety. I've used it for years and my liver's never been happier!

By eating sensibly, limiting alcohol and getting plenty of nutritious, whole foods you'll ensure that your liver runs smoothly and efficiently.
About the Author

Joe trains 5 times a week at Bally's Gym in Orange County. A long-time fitness enthusiast, he recommends that you
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What causes elevated liver enzymes in an otherwise healthy person?

My mother (early 60s) walks every day, eats in moderation, drinks occasionally, and does not smoke. Her blood test came back for elevated liver enzymes, which is very concerning, since she seems very healthy.

No one blood testing is 100% accurate...it
takes more than one to be sure.

The liver enzymes are a hint that there may
be liver cell damage. However, The
ALT enzyme is the most specific to the
liver diagnosis, since it is mostly made in the
liver...the other enzymes are made in the liver
but also, in about the same quantities, in other
organs.

It takes more blood tests to truly confirm
it is a liver problem. These tests include
the liver functions tests (Bilirubin, INR,
Albumin, Pt, PTT) which shows how well
the cells of the liver are able to perform
the functions to keep the body well and
also the viral testing to see if a virus is
using the liver cells to replicate itself
(like Hepatitis A,B,C,etc).

Patients who have liver disease, will not
know they have it. The liver is very quiet
about damage done to it, until the cells
start to die off and the functions deteriorate.
They may appear tired or sometimes have
flu like symptoms...this could be mistaken
for other medical ills.

Some of the things that can cause liver damage
that doesn't involve alcohol is:
medication toxification
chemical exposure
hereditary conditions
autoimmune disease
fatty liver disease
biliary obstruction/malformation/infection
cancer or tumors/cysts
cardiac problems
parasitic infections
viral infections
and there are others.

Some of these liver enzymes can be elevated
if you have trouble with the bones or
if there is a biliary problem, have heart problems,
or have exercised alot before the testing.

If her enzymes stay elevated...they may
examine her to see if they can feel if the
liver is enlarged. If the cells of the liver
are damaged, the immune system of
the body responds and causes inflammation
in the liver which causes the liver to enlarge
in size. If this happens to be the case,
they may do an ultrasound or Ct scan
to look at the liver. She should be referred
to a gastroenterologist or hepatologist if
they see an enlargement or tumors or if
the blood isn't flowing well through the liver.

It is difficult to wait for the next blood tests
results...but, at times, they will return to
normal. In some people, elevated levels
are their normal for them.

Hope things work out that she doesn't
have any problems. Best wishes.

Liver Health : How to Eat for a Healthy Liver