How To Improve Liver Function Naturally?

The liver serves as a vital organ powerhouse, functioning as the body’s filter, removing toxins and bacteria from the bloodstream, while also actively participating in numerous bodily functions.

Therefore, it’s logical to take every possible step to support the maintenance or enhancement of our liver health. There’s a multitude of over-the-counter supplements marketed as “liver detox” or “liver cleanse” products, purportedly aiding in this endeavor.

So in this article we share with you some important tips and ideas to take care of the most vital organ in the human body – The Liver.

The Importance of Liver Function or Liver Health

• Purifying the blood by eliminating toxins and harmful substances
• Generating bile, a fluid crucial for digesting food
• Removing bacteria from the bloodstream
• Synthesizing substances necessary for blood clotting
• Metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to render them accessible for bodily use
• Converting glucose into glycogen for storage and later conversion back into glucose
• Stockpiling various vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B12, D, E, K, iron, and copper
• Metabolizing medications
• Production of Albumin – The most common protein blood serum
• Synthesis of angiotensinogen – An important hormone that helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure.

The liver also miraculously repairs itself after damage, its the unique feature that makes it crucial for the human body functioning. The liver is the sole visceral organ with the capacity for regeneration.

 According to National Institutes of Health, A liver can regrow to a normal size even after up to 90% of it has been removed. The liver doesn’t require additional assistance in filtering toxins unless it has suffered damage or disease. Still, you need to take the best care of your liver for peak functioning of your body. You cannot just keep on neglecting your liver health and then expect it to naturally regrow after the damage.

Numerous diseases and conditions, such as alcohol consumption, excessive fat deposition, hepatitis, cancers, and medication overdoses or misuse, can lead to irreversible damage.

Tips for Maintaining Liver Health

• Dietary adjustments: Excessive fat consumption can strain the liver, diverting its focus from other essential functions and potentially leading to fatty liver disease. Eat a balanced and nutritious diet. To maintain a healthy diet, it’s advisable to avoid high-calorie meals, saturated fats, refined carbohydrates (like white bread and regular pasta), and excessive sugars. Instead, focus on including fiber-rich foods in your diet, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, rice, and cereals. Incorporate moderate amounts of protein from sources like meat (with a preference for lean options over red meat), dairy products (opt for low-fat milk and limited cheese), and beneficial fats such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and fish. Adequate hydration is also essential, so never forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

• Exercise regularly: Consistent exercise aids in burning triglycerides for energy and may also decrease liver fat. Exercise such as Engaging in aerobic exercises like running, cycling, and swimming is highly beneficial for enhancing liver health by increasing blood flow in the body.

• Moderate alcohol consumption: Limit your alcohol intake to no more than two drinks per moment to avoid the risk of developing cirrhosis over time. Alcohol also creates many other health issues. You should always consult with your doctor on the amount of alcohol to be consumed or if you should completely stop drinking alcohol.

• Abstain from illicit substances: Avoiding illicit drugs can prevent the liver from being overwhelmed by toxins, enabling it to carry out its vital functions effectively. About 2.1% of India’s population uses illicit drugs such as Heroin, Opiods, Pharmaceutical opiods, Cannabis, etc. These drugs can harmful to other functions of the body as well.

• Exercise caution with medication combinations: Be mindful of potential negative interactions between prescription drugs and natural remedies, especially when combined with alcohol, as this can significantly stress the liver.

• Preventive measures against airborne toxins: When working with potent chemicals such as paints or cleaning agents, ensure adequate ventilation and wear protective masks to minimize exposure and potential liver damage. When using aerosols, ensure sufficient ventilation in the room and always wear a mask. Don’t forget to Refrain from smoking.

• Travel precautions and vaccinations: Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is crucial for travelers to regions where these diseases are prevalent. Additionally, malaria and yellow fever can pose risks to liver health in affected areas. Travel hygiene such washing hands with soap and warm water immediately after using the bathroom, changing clothes and using beds in hotels, eating outside food while traveling.

• Practice safe sex: Since there is no vaccination available for hepatitis C, maintaining safe sexual practices is essential for preventing transmission.

• Minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens and maintain hygiene: Seek medical attention promptly if exposed to another person’s blood to reduce the risk of infection. For instance, razors, toothbrushes, and nail clippers can harbor minuscule amounts of blood or other bodily fluids that might be contaminated. You should be careful while using these items.

Are Supplements Useful For Liver Health?

There are lots of OTC supplements available today for boosting your liver health. Opting for an over-the-counter liver cleanse or detox may seem appealing as a way to reset after indulgence. Or some people just want their liver to work at its best by consuming these OTC supplements.

Some of these detox regimens claim to be both effective and healthful methods for shedding excess weight. These OTC supplements may contain a blend of herbs, vitamins, and minerals, or they are sold as individual pills and powders. Typical ingredients found in liver detox or cleanse supplements may include:

• Milk thistle
• Turmeric
• Dandelion root powder
• Artichoke extract
• Burdock extract
• Chicory extract
• Glutathione 500mg
• N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC)
• Zinc Supplement

Numerous supplements available on the market may pose harm and potentially exert adverse effects on the liver, particularly if combined with other substances. Many of these above listed “herbal” and other naturally claimed supplements are extremely harmful for the liver and can even lead to liver failure and death.

Although certain ingredients like milk thistle have demonstrated benefits such as reducing liver inflammation, and turmeric has shown promise in protecting against liver injuries, there isn’t sufficient evidence-based data to advocate for their use in individuals with normal liver function.

Numerous supplements available on the market may pose harm and potentially exert adverse effects on the liver, particularly if combined with other substances. Regrettably, we’ve encountered numerous patients over the years who experienced liver toxicity as a result of supplements they had been taking, believing them to be beneficial.

If you’re worried about your liver health and considering a supplement, it’s essential to thoroughly investigate all the ingredients contained in the supplement before making a purchase.

It is recommended that individuals interested in supplements or enhancing their liver function markers collaborate with their primary care provider. They can assist in selecting suitable supplements or may advise consulting with a hepatologist to oversee liver health management.