How to Keep Your Liver Healthy: What to Eat and What to Avoid

The liver is often seen as the seat of emotions and frustrations, playing a key role in our body's overall health. It's essential for optimal well-being to support the liver's function, often through the use of herbal remedies.

Connected closely to the liver via ducts is the gallbladder, which acts as a "relief route" for the liver. The liver uses it to flush waste into the intestines and from there, out of the body.

The liver breaks down old red blood cells (after about 120 days). The waste produced is called bilirubin, which is then mostly sent to the gallbladder and from there to the intestines via the duodenum – which connects to the gallbladder on the other side.

The gallbladder also stores bile juice, produced from cholesterol. When you eat fatty foods, the gallbladder contracts and releases bile into the duodenum to break down the fats from your diet.

Thus, those with high blood cholesterol levels are often advised to mix lime juice with a tablespoon of olive oil in the morning, stir and drink. This action promotes bile production, helping to remove excess cholesterol accumulated in the liver.

The liver's activities are supported by enzymes – biochemicals that act as catalysts.

The liver contains dozens of different enzymes. Each person's liver cells are unique, with enzyme production linked to DNA and genetic makeup.

If the genetic makeup is healthy, liver cells produce the enzymes the liver needs. When liver function alters or degrades, failing to remove excess enzymes, a rise in liver enzyme levels is observed in blood tests, such as GGTI. When levels exceed the norm, it indicates liver dysfunction, viral illness, fatty liver, or hepatitis.

Identifying what harms the liver is crucial for maintaining health, and avoiding these factors is wise.

1. Excess animal fats.
2. Alcohol – significantly impairs liver function.
3. Excess sugars, fructose.
4. Toxins – medications like steroids, statins, painkillers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc.
5. Smoked foods.
6. Certain substances accumulate in the liver, like iron and vitamin D. If excessively high, they can damage liver cells. Similarly, supplements like vitamin A, such as retinol and roaccutane, should be used cautiously as they may harm liver function.

We've detailed the "what to avoid" – now let's explore "what to do."

Strengthening and supporting liver function is imperative. Therefore, I recommend using herbal remedies and dietary components to support liver function.

Increase intake, or consider supplements, of vitamin E, selenium, and lipotropic agents – substances that reduce fatty deposits in the liver. It's beneficial to consume choline, found in soy lecithin, methionine, vitamin B12, and folic acid.

Dandelion – supports fat metabolism in the liver and reduces toxicity in liver cells.

Milk Thistle – the active ingredient, silymarin, prevents liver damage, inhibits free radicals, and helps regenerate healthy liver tissue. It positively impacts liver inflammation and gallbladder duct issues and treats fatty liver. Milk thistle has been proven helpful in jaundice treatment.

• – Provides the green color in plants, playing a role in respiration and development. Chlorophyll has the ability to bind toxic metals and other toxins in the liver and bloodstream, and has antioxidant properties.

Additionally, other herbs are beneficial for infusion, like rosemary, calendula, red clover, schisandra, and more. Make a herb blend, steep a teaspoon of the mix in a cup of boiling water.

In summary, an individual's ability to combat illness heavily depends on a properly functioning liver and its efficient toxin removal. Therefore, liver cleansing and strengthening are of utmost importance.

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