Introduction: The liver, known as the "first of the five organs", has many functions and is very important, just like a "chemical factory" in the human body. It is responsible for metabolism, detoxification, synthesis and secretion, and each link is related to the health and balance of the human body.
The normal operation of the liver is like a delicate machine, and any mistake in any link may lead to the disorder of the overall function.
However, the liver is an extremely fragile organ and is often described as "pampered". Some bad habits in life may cause liver damage and even induce liver disease, and these seemingly insignificant habits actually hide huge health risks.
Therefore, liver nourishment and liver protection has become a part of our daily life that cannot be ignored. In terms of diet, we should eat more foods that are good for liver health, and at the same time, we should also stay away from behaviors that harm the liver.
In addition, we should always pay attention to the changes in the body, especially the abnormal symptoms that may occur when the liver is damaged. Once you find that you are unwell, you should seek medical attention in time to avoid missing the best time for treatment.
Only in this way can we truly nourish and protect the liver, let the liver run healthily in our body, and bring us health and vitality.
01
These 4 bad behaviors will damage the liver, if you want to nourish the liver and protect the liver, you should try to stay away
Bad behavior 1: Excessive drinking
Excessive alcohol consumption is the number one enemy of liver health. Alcohol is broken down in the liver into acetaldehyde, which is a toxic substance, and long-term heavy drinking can lead to an increased burden on the liver, which may eventually lead to alcoholic liver disease, and even cirrhosis and liver cancer. Therefore, if you want to nourish and protect the liver, the first task is to control alcohol consumption and try not to drink alcohol or drink less.
Bad behavior 2: Unreasonable eating habits
Excessive intake of high-fat, high-calorie foods, as well as irregular diets, can cause liver damage. These poor eating habits can lead to the accumulation of fat in the liver, triggering fatty liver disease. For liver health, we should maintain a balanced diet with more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, less greasy and high-sugar foods, and maintain a regular diet.
Bad behavior three: lack of exercise
Lack of exercise can lead to a slowdown in the body's metabolism and an increase in fat accumulation, which increases the burden on the liver. Moderate exercise can help the body burn off excess fat, increase metabolic rate, and benefit liver health. Therefore, if we want to nourish the liver and protect the liver, we should maintain a moderate amount of exercise, such as walking, running, swimming, etc.
Bad behavior four: drug abuse
Many drugs are catabolized in the liver, and drug abuse can cause serious damage to the liver. Therefore, we should follow the doctor's guidance to use drugs rationally and avoid drug abuse.
02
If the liver is not healthy, the body will have 5 "manifestations", accounting for 1, and timely intervention is also required
Dull skin
When liver function decreases, there may be problems with the skin. Because the liver is responsible for processing toxins in the body, if the liver is damaged, toxins can accumulate in the body, affecting skin health. You may notice that your skin becomes dull and even jaundice.
Digestive problems
The bile secreted by the liver helps digest food, especially fats. If the liver is not healthy, bile secretion may be affected, leading to symptoms such as indigestion, stomach pain, flatulence, etc.
Blurred vision
Liver problems may affect eye health, and TCM believes that "the liver opens up to the eyes", and the health of the liver will directly affect the eyes. If you notice blurred vision, eye strain, or other eye symptoms, your liver may be warning you.
Insomnia, dreaminess
An unhealthy liver can also affect mood and sleep. The liver is closely related to mood, and decreased liver function can lead to mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and other problems. At the same time, liver problems can also lead to sleep problems such as insomnia and dreaminess.
Weight gain or loss
An unhealthy liver can also lead to weight problems, the liver is involved in fat metabolism in the body, and if the liver is damaged, fat metabolism may be affected, leading to weight gain or loss.
03
Is wolfberry a "liver nourishing master"?
Goji berries, a traditional Chinese herbal ingredient, have been favored since ancient times. Not only is it nutritious, but in traditional Chinese medicine theory, wolfberry is believed to have a variety of effects such as nourishing the liver and kidneys, brightening the eyes and nourishing the blood. So, is wolfberry really a "liver master"?
From a nutritional point of view, goji berries do contain a variety of nutrients that are beneficial to the human body, such as polysaccharides, carotene, vitamins, etc. These ingredients do benefit the health of the liver to a certain extent.
For example, polysaccharides can enhance the immune function of the liver and help the liver resist viruses and bacteria, while carotene can be converted into vitamin A, which helps maintain the health of the retina and indirectly protects the liver.
In addition, in the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, wolfberry is endowed with the effect of nourishing the liver and eyes, tonifying the kidney and invigorating the essence. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the liver stores blood, and the main drain is closely related to the purpose.
Goji berries can nourish the yin of the liver and kidney, and have a certain alleviating effect on symptoms such as dizziness, dizziness and tinnitus caused by liver and kidney yin deficiency. At the same time, wolfberry can also calm the liver yang, and also has a certain improvement effect on high blood pressure, dizziness and other symptoms caused by hyperactivity of the liver yang.
However, it is important to be clear that although goji berries have certain health benefits for the liver, it cannot completely cure all liver diseases. In addition to wolfberry, the following foods can also be regarded as "liver masters", usually eat more appropriately, the liver is clean and healthier:
04
The "liver nourishing master" has been found, it is not wolfberry, usually eat some appropriately, and the liver is clean and healthier
fish
Fish is not only delicious, but also nutritious, making it a very healthy food. In terms of protecting the liver, fish meat has a role that cannot be ignored. Fish meat is rich in high-quality protein and a variety of essential nutrients, such as vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, etc., which are very beneficial for liver health.
High-quality protein is an important source of nutrients for the liver, which can help liver cells repair and regenerate, and if the liver is affected by damage or disease, its function will be affected, and high-quality protein can help liver cells repair and regenerate quickly, restoring the normal function of the liver.
Secondly, the omega-3 fatty acids in fish also play an important role in liver health. Omega-3 fatty acids can help lower blood cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels, reduce fat accumulation in the liver, and thus prevent the occurrence of liver diseases such as fatty liver. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids can also reduce the inflammatory response of the liver and protect the liver from damage.
asparagus
Asparagus is known as a liver nourishing master, which has been widely recognized in the nutrition and medical circles. Asparagus is rich in many vitamins and minerals, especially B vitamins and folic acid, which are essential for liver health.
Not only do they help the liver break down and metabolize food, but they also promote the regeneration and repair of liver cells, keeping the liver clean and healthy.
In addition to this, asparagus also contains a substance called asparagus saponin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can effectively protect the liver from free radical and inflammation. In today's increasingly serious environmental pollution, proper intake of asparagus to allow the liver to be fully protected and nourished is undoubtedly a wise choice.
broccoli
Broccoli, a common green vegetable on the table, is known as the "master of liver nourishment". It is rich in nutritional value and contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, especially glucosinolates that break down sulforaphane, a compound with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that have non-negligible benefits for liver health.
The nutrients in broccoli help the liver scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, thereby preventing liver cell damage. At the same time, it can also promote the detoxification function of the liver, accelerate the discharge of harmful substances, and keep the liver clean and healthy.
Not only that, broccoli is also rich in dietary fiber, which can promote intestinal peristalsis, help digestion and excretion, and further reduce the burden on the liver. At the same time, it contains nutrients such as vitamin C and folic acid, which can also promote the regeneration and repair of the liver, providing adequate nutritional support for the liver.
green tea
The tea polyphenols and catechins in green tea have a variety of biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer, which can effectively protect the liver and reduce the burden on the liver.
Proper consumption of green tea can promote the detoxification function of the liver and help the liver better remove toxins and waste products from the body.
At the same time, the tea polyphenols in green tea can also inhibit the deposition of fat in the liver and prevent the occurrence of fatty liver. For people who already have liver disease, green tea is an ideal health drink, which can help improve liver function, alleviate the condition, and improve the quality of life.
Mulberry
Mulberries are rich in nutrients, including a variety of vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are essential for the proper functioning of the liver. The liver is an important detoxification organ in our body, responsible for breaking down and removing harmful substances from the body. And these nutrients in mulberries can help the liver better fulfill this task and maintain its healthy state.
In addition to this, mulberries also contain an active ingredient called "mulberry pigment". This ingredient has a strong antioxidant effect, which can scavenge free radicals in the body and reduce the oxidative stress response of the liver. Oxidative stress is one of the important factors leading to liver damage and disease, and the antioxidant effect of morus pigment can effectively protect the liver from it.
Mulberries are also rich in anthocyanins and flavonoids. These substances have a good anti-inflammatory effect, which can inhibit the inflammatory response in the liver and reduce the burden on the liver. At the same time, they can also promote the regeneration and repair of liver cells, helping the liver to restore health.
05
3 ways to extinguish the liver fire and clear the liver, it is a pity not to do it during the spring liver nourishment period
Adjust your diet
Spring is a good time to nourish your liver, so you should arrange your diet reasonably and consume more foods rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Such as lean meats, fish, legumes, fresh vegetables and fruits, etc. At the same time, it is necessary to avoid excessive intake of greasy, spicy, and irritating foods so as not to increase the burden on the liver.
Maintain a good routine
Developing a good routine and getting enough sleep can help the liver repair and regenerate. It is recommended to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night and try to fall asleep before 11 p.m. to make full use of the liver's detoxification function.
Exercise in moderation
Moderate exercise can promote blood circulation, speed up metabolism, and help detoxify the liver. It is recommended to choose an exercise method that suits you, such as walking, jogging, yoga, etc., and insist on 3-5 times a week for more than 30 minutes each time.
06
Extension: Liver function test report, which indicators are mainly looked at?3 values "reveal" the liver status
Aminotransferase levels
These include alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Aminotransferases are enzymes within the cells of the liver that may be released into the bloodstream when the liver is damaged or inflamed, resulting in elevated levels of aminotransferases in the blood.
Normally, aminotransferase levels should be in the range (usually 0-40 units/L). If aminotransferase levels are markedly elevated, it may indicate damage or inflammation in the liver.
Bilirubin levels
Bilirubin is a substance produced by the breakdown of red blood cells and is mainly metabolized by the liver. Liver function reports often include levels of direct, indirect, and total bilirubin.
Normally, bilirubin levels should be within a certain range (usually between 3.4 and 17.1 micromol/L in adults). If bilirubin levels are elevated, it may indicate a decrease in the liver's ability to metabolize bilirubin, possibly due to liver cell damage or biliary obstruction, for example.
Albumin level
Albumin is an important protein synthesized by the liver and plays an important role in maintaining blood osmolarity and nutrient transport. Liver function reports often include albumin levels.
Normally, albumin levels should be within a certain range (usually between 35 and 55 g/L). If the albumin level is low, it may indicate impaired liver synthesis function, which may be due to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, etc.