Liver is the largest solid organ of the body that performs many important and complex functions for the body. Liver plays a vital role in keeping the body healthy. Liver produces proteins and albumin that helps to maintain the volume of the blood. The liver is also responsible for the synthesis and storage of fats and fatty acids. One of the important functions of the liver is to metabolize and store carbohydrates thus helping in maintaining cholesterol as well as blood sugar level. The liver also secretes bile which contains acids that aid in absorption of fat soluble vitamins and also helps in digestion. The liver also cleanses the body by breaking down and eliminating harmful products that are produced by the body like bilirubin and other drugs, toxins and products not required by the body. It is thus important to ensure liver health by all means. When the liver is not taken care of several liver diseases are caused. These further will lead to the development of many life threatening diseases.

What is not good for the liver?

There are several reasons that may cause liver damage. A few are listed below:

1. Alcohol: Alcohol is one of the most common causes of liver damage. When alcohol is consumed, the liver focuses on converting the alcohol to a less toxin form and thereby does not perform other important functions. This leads to fatty liver diseases and even cirrhosis of the liver, ultimately leading to death.
2. High salt intake: High intake of salt causes fatty liver diseases by building up more water in the liver and causing the liver to swell.
3. Obesity: Obesity causes several liver diseases and cirrhosis of the liver. Obese people have more fats accumulated around the liver and gives rise to fatty liver.
4. Diabetes: People who have diabetes are more prone to developing liver diseases. This is because people who have diabetes have high levels of insulin in the blood which causes the liver to store more weight internally and this gives rise to fatty liver and other diseases.
5. Overuse of medications: A few over-the-counter medicines contain several chemicals that can cause various liver diseases.
6. Nutritional supplements: There are certain nutritional supplements that produce liver enzymes causing damage to the liver. An overdose of Vitamin A is known to cause liver toxicity.
7. Infections and illness: Viral hepatitis attacks the liver cells and causes its inflammation. It can even lead to liver cirrhosis. Tuberculosis also affects the liver in an adverse manner and damages it beyond repair. Several intestinal infections interfere with the detoxification process of the liver and thus damage it.

What is good for the liver?

To keep the liver healthy and functioning, the following foods must be incorporated in the daily diet.

1. Garlic contains allicin and selenium that help to cleanse the liver. Garlic activates liver enzymes that help the body remove toxins.
2. Beets and carrots stimulate and improve the overall health and functioning of the liver.
3. Grapefruit contains antioxidants and Vitamin C that help the liver perform the detoxification process in a better manner. Grapefruit promotes the production of liver enzymes that help to remove harmful carcinogens and toxins from the body.
4. Leafy Green Vegetables are the most effective liver cleansers. These have the ability to remove environmental toxins as well as heavy metals, pesticides as well as chemicals from the blood. Green leafy vegetables promote the production and flow of bile that removes wastes and toxins from the blood.
5. Green tea contains catechins which improve liver function.
6. Avocados contain a lot of nutrients and help the body to produce glutathione that helps the liver to cleanse harmful toxins.
7. Organic oils improve the lipid profile of the body which aid in removal of toxins from the body.
8. Apples contain pectin as well as chemical compounds that cleanse and release toxins from the blood stream. These also help the liver to function better.
9. Lemons and limes are high in Vitamin C that stimulates the liver. The antioxidants and Vitamin C in liver also help the liver to synthesise the toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water thus aiding the cleansing process of the liver.
10. Walnuts contain amino acid arginine and also glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids that aid the detoxifying process of the liver and so ensure liver care.