Introduction: You may not have thought deeply about it, but our liver, this obscure organ, actually has amazing tenacity and perseverance.
Day after day, the liver undertakes the important tasks of detoxification, substance metabolism, bile secretion, immune defense, and blood volume regulation, like a tireless warrior, always sticking to his post and not daring to slack off. However, it is this tenacity and perseverance that makes us often ignore its feelings, or even ignore its existence.
Our liver has a strong regenerative function and endurance, and even if it suffers damage, it silently repairs itself and keeps the body functioning as normally as possible.
However, this silent dedication and sacrifice is often ignored by us, and we seem to forget that it also needs our love and care.
However, the truth is brutal. In mainland China, there are a large number of people with chronic liver disease, and hepatitis B and hepatitis C together account for about 10% of the total population in viral hepatitis, which means that one in ten people has viral hepatitis. Coupled with fatty liver and other problems that are common among young people today, the number of patients with chronic liver disease is huge.
Despite its amazing regenerative and endurance of the liver, it also has an unbearable weight. If we do not treat it in time and change our bad lifestyle habits, the condition will naturally continue to worsen and may eventually lead to life-threatening diseases such as cirrhosis and liver failure. Hepatitis B is responsible for about 80% of liver cancers worldwide, which is a staggering figure.
01
5 eating habits that the "liver" does not like
Excessive intake of fats and fats
High-fat foods not only tend to lead to obesity, but also increase the fat content of the liver, which in turn leads to diseases such as fatty liver. Therefore, we should try to choose low-fat foods such as vegetables, fruits and fish.
A diet high in sugar
Long-term high intake of sugar will not only lead to obesity and diabetes, but also increase the burden on the liver and affect its function. Therefore, we should reduce sugar intake and try to avoid high-sugar foods, such as candies, sweetened drinks, etc.
Excessive alcohol consumption
The liver's ability to metabolize and detoxify alcohol is limited, and long-term heavy drinking will not only cause damage to the liver, but also cause diseases such as alcoholic liver and liver cirrhosis. Therefore, we should try to avoid alcohol, or at least limit the amount of alcohol we drink.
Excessive salt intake
A high-salt diet not only leads to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, but also increases the burden on the liver. Therefore, we should choose low-salt foods and try to avoid consuming too much salt.
Make a pig of oneself
Irregular eating habits can put a lot of stress on the liver and affect its function. We should develop regular and quantitative eating habits to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
02
There are 4 kinds of discomfort in the body, and it is time to protect the liver
Constant fatigue
The liver is the "chemical factory" of our body, responsible for many important functions such as metabolism and detoxification. When the liver is overburdened or damaged, its detoxification and metabolic capacity decreases, resulting in physical fatigue and lack of energy.
If this fatigue persists and does not relieve itself even with adequate rest, then we should consider whether there is something wrong with the liver.
jaundice
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes, and urine, which is caused by the liver's inability to properly process bilirubin in the blood.
Bilirubin is a product of the breakdown of red blood cells, which the liver normally excretes into a water-soluble substance. However, when the liver is damaged, this conversion process is blocked, causing bilirubin to accumulate in the body, triggering jaundice.
Pain or discomfort in the right upper quadrant
The liver is located in the upper right corner of our abdomen, and when the liver is inflamed, enlarged, or has other problems, it can compress the surrounding tissues and nerves, triggering pain or discomfort. This pain usually appears as a dull or dull ache that sometimes radiates to the right shoulder or back.
Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite
The liver plays an important role in our digestion process, and the bile it secretes helps break down fats and absorb nutrients.
When the liver is damaged, its ability to secrete bile is affected, leading to loss of appetite and indigestion. At the same time, liver disease can also affect the body's metabolism and energy utilization, leading to weight loss.
03
Are eggs an "accelerator" for repairing the liver?
Eggs, an ingredient that can be seen, play an indispensable role on our tables. However, did you know that eggs are also an "accelerator" for liver repair?
As a "chemical factory" in the human body, the liver undertakes important functions such as detoxification, metabolism, and storage. And when we eat the right amount of eggs, the high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals in them are like a fresh spring for the liver to do these tasks.
The protein in eggs is key to liver repair. When the liver is damaged, it needs a large amount of protein to synthesize new liver cells and thus restore its function. The proteins in eggs, especially albumin and globulin, are highly bioavailable and easily absorbed and utilized by the body, providing valuable "building materials" for the liver.
In addition, vitamins A, D, E, and B complexes in eggs are also essential nutrients for liver health.
Vitamin A helps maintain the normal structure and function of liver cells, vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and contributes to the liver's mineralization process, and vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects the liver from free radical damage. B vitamins are involved in a variety of metabolic processes in the liver and are essential for maintaining the normal functioning of the liver.
In terms of minerals, iron, phosphorus, and selenium in eggs also play a positive role in promoting liver health.
Iron is an important component of hemoglobin synthesis and contributes to the oxygenation of the liver, phosphorus is a component of cell membranes and plays an important role in the stability of liver cells, and selenium is an antioxidant element that can effectively remove free radicals in the body and protect the liver from oxidative stress.
Therefore, it can be said that eggs are an "accelerant" for liver repair. Moderate intake of eggs not only provides our body with rich nutrients, but also helps liver health and repair. Let's not forget about this "patron saint" of the liver in our daily diet.
04
Reminder: 5 foods that can help the liver repair
soybean
Soybeans are rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, especially isoflavones and soy protein, which play an important role in liver health and repair.
The protein in soybeans is an essential building block for liver repair, and when the liver is damaged, it needs more protein to make new liver cells. The high-quality protein in soybeans can provide the amino acids needed by the liver, help liver cells regenerate, and speed up the repair process.
The isoflavones in soybeans have good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can protect the liver from free radical and inflammation. In addition, isoflavones can also regulate hormone levels in the liver, helping to maintain the normal function of the liver.
honey
The rich nutrients in honey are the building blocks of its liver repair function, and honey contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are essential for the proper functioning of the liver. Among them, the presence of antioxidants, in particular, can help the liver scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, thereby protecting liver cells from damage.
Secondly, honey has an anti-inflammatory effect, which is also an important part of its liver repair function. The liver is an organ that is susceptible to inflammation, and certain components in honey can effectively inhibit the inflammatory response, reduce the burden on the liver, and promote its self-repair.
In addition, honey can also promote the detoxification function of the liver. The liver is the main detoxification organ in our body and is responsible for breaking down and removing all kinds of harmful substances. Certain components in honey can promote the activity of detoxification enzymes in the liver, accelerate the metabolism and excretion of harmful substances, and thus protect liver health.
fish
Fish is rich in nutrients such as protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, all of which are necessary for the liver to synthesize essential chemicals to maintain the normal functioning of the body.
The unsaturated fatty acids in fish are also beneficial to the liver, and these fatty acids can lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce fat accumulation in the liver, thereby preventing the occurrence of fatty liver and other diseases. At the same time, unsaturated fatty acids can also promote the metabolic function of the liver and improve the liver's detoxification ability.
In addition, the vitamins and minerals in fish are also necessary for the liver. For example, B vitamins help the liver break down fats and proteins to boost metabolism, while minerals such as selenium scavenge free radicals and protect liver cells from oxidative damage.
tomato
As a common vegetable and fruit, tomato is rich in nutrients, such as vitamin C and lycopene, which have a good antioxidant effect, which can help remove free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative damage to the liver.
In addition, studies have shown that the lycopene in tomatoes also has a significant anti-inflammatory effect, which can reduce the inflammatory response of the liver, thereby contributing to the repair and regeneration of the liver. This means that by eating tomatoes regularly, we can reduce the burden on the liver to a certain extent, improve the liver's resistance, and maintain its healthy state.
However, in order to give full play to the health benefits of tomatoes for the liver, we also need to pay attention to some details, such as it is very important to choose fresh tomatoes, because fresh tomatoes contain more nutrients and active ingredients.
shrimp
As a leader in seafood, shrimp is not only delicious and nutritious, but also has many properties that are beneficial to human health.
Shrimp is rich in protein, especially high-quality animal protein, which is an essential nutrient in the liver repair process. The protein in shrimp is easy to be absorbed by the human body and has a high utilization rate, making it an ideal food for liver health.
Of course, the reason why shrimp is good for liver health is also inseparable from its low-fat and low-cholesterol properties. A high-fat and high-cholesterol diet is one of the important causes of liver disease, and shrimp, as a low-fat and low-cholesterol food, not only does not burden the liver, but helps to reduce the burden on the liver and promote the health of the liver.
05
Can eating liver protection tablets protect the liver?
As a common health care product, liver protection tablets have been highly sought after in the market in recent years. Many people believe that as long as they eat liver protection tablets, the liver can be fully protected, so as to stay away from various liver diseases. However, it's not that simple. Can eating liver protection tablets really protect the liver?
First of all, we need to be clear that Liver Protection is not a panacea, although it may contain some liver-beneficial ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc., these ingredients are not a complete replacement for a healthy lifestyle and eating habits.
The health of the liver requires a balanced diet, moderate exercise, adequate rest, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
Secondly, liver protection tablets are not suitable for all people, and the liver health status and constitution of different people vary greatly, and some people may not be suitable for taking liver protection tablets. For example, some people may be allergic to certain ingredients in Liver Protector and may trigger an allergic reaction after taking them.
In addition, for people who already have liver disease, liver protection tablets may not have a therapeutic effect, and may even increase the burden on the liver.
06
Read more: If the liver function is normal, does it mean that you don't have liver cancer?
Does normal liver function mean that the liver is safe and safe from the threat of liver cancer? In fact, there is no direct equity between normal liver function and liver health.
Even if liver function is normal, the possibility of potential damage to liver cells, which may gradually worsen in some cases, eventually lead to liver cancer.
The liver has a strong compensatory capacity, which means that even if some liver cells are damaged, other healthy liver cells can take over and maintain normal physiological functions.
Thus, even if the liver cells have been damaged to some extent during liver function tests, the test results may still be normal as long as other liver cells are able to compensate for their function.
In addition, the results of liver function tests only reflect a transient state of liver cells at the time the blood is drawn. If there is no inflammation of the liver cells at the time of the physical examination, the test results will be normal. However, this does not mean that liver cells are completely free of problems.
In fact, there are two other possibilities: one is that the liver cells have been injured in the past but have recovered by the time of the physical examination, and the other is that patients with cirrhosis or liver cancer are still in the early stages and their compensatory ability has not been affected.
Therefore, we cannot assert that the liver is completely healthy just because the liver is functioning normally, nor can we take it lightly. Attention to and management of liver health requires continuous effort and vigilance.
Through regular check-ups, a reasonable diet and exercise, and avoiding bad lifestyle habits, we can better protect liver health and prevent the occurrence of underlying diseases.