Food for Healthy Liver
August 4, 2009
The largest glandular organ present in our body is our liver. Our liver performs several functions. It helps to break down the fats we consume through food. Certain amino acids are produced by the liver.
It transforms glucose into glycogen. It helps to stabilize the blood glucose level. It eliminates toxins, including alcohol from the blood. Urea, flashed out of our body through urine, is produced by the liver. Nearly 80 percent of your body’s cholesterol is manufactured in your liver.
The fat-soluble A, B12, D and K vitamins, which you obtain from foods and supplements, are stored in your liver. Given the wide array of activities performed by your liver, it is important that to stay healthy, you should have a healthy liver. Healthy lifestyle and good food habits could help you to maintain a healthy liver.
Diet for healthy liver
The ideal foods for a healthy liver should stimulate the natural functions of the liver. At the same time, your diet should also contain food that protects the liver from harmful agents. Bitter vegetables are often considered as the best food for the liver.
Chicory and dandelion are some foods that promote liver function by enhancing bile flow. Bile helps to eliminate toxins from out body. Consumption of artichoke is also beneficial for the liver. Artichokes contain caffeoylquinic acids that stimulate liver function and helps in liver regeneration.
Turmeric is also a liver friendly herb. Garlic is also good for the liver. It stimulates the detoxification function of the liver. Allicin, a sulfur-based compound present in garlic, helps to remove mercury and toxic food additives from the body.
To enhance your liver function further, you can rely on beetroot. Plant chemicals present in beetroot helps to remove heavy metal toxins from the blood. To help the liver in its detoxification task, you can consider drinking a tablespoon of lime juice added to warm water every morning, on empty stomach.
Glucosinolates, a compound present in cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts stimulates secretion of enzymes that aid the liver in its detoxification work. Nitrosamines, a toxin produced by cigarette smoking, could also be eliminated from your body with the help of certain chemicals present in cruciferous vegetables. Antioxidant rich foods are also beneficial for the liver.
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