Foods That Damage the Liver... How to Protect Yourself
The liver is the body's "detoxification center." As an important metabolic organ, it supports bile in fat digestion and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
High-fat foods, alcohol, and viruses cause a great deal of damage to the liver. The constant struggle against toxins in the body wears the liver down over time. It becomes susceptible to disease. If this goes unnoticed for a long time, the liver becomes damaged.
Like a high-performance factory, the liver also works for our health. It collects nutrients in the body, filters dangerous toxins from the blood, and produces bile for digestion. The liver is also responsible for our hormonal balance. Normally, nothing quickly disables our detoxification center — the liver is quite resilient and recovers quickly without difficulty. For example, if part of it is damaged in an accident, the other half of the roughly 2,000-gram organ can take over its entire function and can even grow back over time. Nevertheless, the liver's self-healing power is also limited.
The first signs of liver disease: Fatigue and decreased performance
Anyone who frequently experiences severe fatigue during the day and notices a decline in their performance should have their liver values checked. Both can be early signs of liver diseases such as cirrhosis or fatty liver, because sufficient toxins cannot be filtered.
Fine bleeding on the face, bruises that appear quickly, itching, loss of appetite, sudden and large weight changes, or a feeling of pressure in the upper right abdominal area can also be signals of liver disease.
Another sign of liver disease: Yellowish skin
As many people know, yellowish skin and eyes are often the first signs of liver disease. This results from bilirubin, which is produced from the red pigment of blood cells and is normally excreted. If the liver is not functioning properly, bilirubin accumulates in the body. It first accumulates in the eyes, and later, when the level is twice as high as normal, it also accumulates in the skin. Rising bilirubin levels also cause itching in the body.
A blood test should be done if liver disease is suspected
If you suspect liver disease, you should get a blood test. This blood test will check bilirubin content and liver enzymes. High values are an indicator of disease. With an ultrasound examination, bioscan, and ReviQuant, the doctor can see whether the liver has been affected and to what extent.
Preserving all liver functions depends on a healthy diet
This is especially true for liver diseases such as fatty liver, hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis. Reducing excess weight and staying away from alcohol form the basis of treatment. A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and whole grain products protects liver health. On the other hand, a strict low-calorie diet should be avoided. A one-sided, low-calorie diet worsens the deficiency symptoms often seen in liver diseases.
For more information on this and related topics, you may benefit from my book "The Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Guide."