It’s all very well partying like there’s no tomorrow, but the liver pays for all that rich food and drink. This festive season, give this vital organ a thought, writes Behnaz Sanjana.
We eat right and exercise (well, at least we try to) being mindful of the health of our heart, brain, gut, bones and muscles. But did you know that without the liver functioning optimally, you’d be done for? There’s a reason it’s called the live-r. Here’s a quick guide to all things hepatic.
Firstly, where is it?
The liver sits in the upper right of the belly, just under the rib cage and on top of the stomach. Everything that you eat and drink passes through it.
What does it do exactly?
– Cleans up the blood by fighting infections and removing bacteria from the bloodstream
– It makes bile, a yellow or orange fluid that breaks down fats, allowing them to be digested and absorbed
– Makes protein for blood, and cholesterol to help transport fats through the body
– Stores and releases glucose and iron
– Regulates blood clotting
– Converts vitamins, nutrients and medicines into substances that our bodies can use.
So, what could go wrong?
Liver disease can be inherited or may show up as an autoimmune disease, but one’s lifestyle can also cause this organ misery:
Excessive drinking – The liver breaks down spirits into substances that can damage the liver cells. Heavy drinkers develop fatty liver disease, where excessive fat in the liver causes its inflammation and scarring. This results in liver degeneration, it can develop into cirrhosis and may even be fatal.
Contracting an infection – Parasites and viruses, commonly Hepatitis, reduce liver function. Hepatitis A is contracted through contaminated food or water, while B and C are from coming into contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an already infected person.
Obesity – The liver can get overwhelmed with all the excess blood sugar and cholesterol it needs to tackle, making it store fat in its own cells. The fatty liver tissue becomes inflamed, resulting in cells being damaged and destroyed, finally leading to cirrhosis, which prevents normal function.
How can I protect my liver?
– Drink in moderation. When in a situation of all-night revelry, alternate your tipple with a tall glass of water. It aids the liver to do its work of flushing out the toxins.
– A liver-friendly diet includes loads of green leafy vegetables, healthy fats, garlic, fibre and coffee (yay!).
– Beware of the long-term effects of certain drugs. For example, acetaminophen, a painkiller found in hundreds of drugs, can harm the liver.
Persistent damage to the liver results in scarring (what is medically called cirrhosis), which can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening condition. Cirrhosis can ultimately lead to liver cancer and failure, and the only cure involves a liver transplant.
Milk Thistle, turmeric and dandelion root and beetroot are all excellent liver supporters. Fresh sugar cane juice is an ideal medicament for those with a compromised liver, as its alkaline nature helps maintain low acid levels in the body and helps strengthen liver function.
