Taking care of your liver: everything you need to know to stay healthy

Taking care of the liver is very important for maintaining good health, as it affects all systems of the human body. Located in the upper right part of the abdomen, it is responsible for carrying out many vital processes in the body. But it is also vulnerable to bad lifestyle habits, as well as to the consumption of certain substances.

That’s why you should try to keep it healthy regularly to reduce the risk of disease and illness. In this article, we explain the essential functions of the liver. We also give you some useful tips on how to take better care of it and recommend certain foods that are good for it.

Essential functions of the body’s largest organ

We should know that it is the largest organ in the human body, which is an indication of its importance. The liver must be cared for because it performs a variety of essential functions daily:

• It purifies the blood and regulates glucose levels.
• It converts the food we eat into energy.
• It produces bile, which is needed to digest the fats we eat.
• It is responsible for detoxification, i.e. sending toxins, chemicals and other harmful substances to the intestine for excretion.
• It stores vitamins and minerals that we take in when we eat and drink so that they can be released when the body needs them.
• It is involved in the synthesis of essential proteins useful for blood clotting and the immune system.
• It is also involved in hormone production.

General tips for liver care

The most important thing to take care of the liver is to incorporate healthy lifestyle habits. This means avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, as it can severely damage the liver, leading to hepatitis, hepatic steatosis and cirrhosis.

On the other hand, we advise you to constantly hydrate well and maintain a weight appropriate to your age and height. Water helps to eliminate toxins. The WHO recommends that a person weighing 60 kilos should drink two litres a day. Diet, on the other hand, will also make a difference when it comes to maintaining a healthy liver. We must take care to maintain a balanced diet and even promote all the foods that are especially beneficial for this organ, as we will see below.

Regular exercise is another basic tip for overall health. Physical activity promotes better blood circulation. Ideally, at least 30 minutes a day should be devoted to a sport, such as walking or yoga.

Regular medical check-ups are important to take care of your liver and the rest of your body. Both blood tests and liver tests can detect any abnormalities early. If you have risk factors, it is all the more reason to get checked.

Finally, given all the work this vital organ does daily, we recommend cleaning it. In particular, once or twice a year is ideal to free it from saturation. However, a balanced diet, dietary supplements and even the use of certain natural herbs can help to keep it cleansed constantly and on its own.

What to eat to take care of your liver and keep it healthy

One of the essential recommendations for taking care of the liver and keeping it healthy is a healthy diet. This means reducing consumption of saturated and trans fats, for example. In addition to avoiding the abuse of processed products with preservatives and additives. These can increase the risk of metabolic syndrome.

You should eat fruit and vegetables in particular, as they provide antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help protect the organ. Here are eight of the best foods to include in your meals:

Artichokes

They are rich in silymarin, an antioxidant found in boldo, a medicinal plant that is very useful for taking care of the liver. Artichokes can be added to salads, eaten raw with a little lemon steamed or baked.

Asparagus

Because of its water and sulphur content, asparagus is perfect for eliminating toxins from the body through urine. Sautéed with a little oil and combined with other healthy foods or steamed, they are delicious.

Broccoli

A highly recommended vegetable for its many properties, broccoli is generally essential for liver detoxification. It is also rich in sulphur, vitamins C, A and B, as well as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, zinc, copper and manganese.

Turnip

For traditional Chinese medicine, this vegetable is indispensable, as it also helps to expel harmful substances. Daikon turnip is a Japanese root similar to radish with a lot of water, a variety of vitamins, calcium and iodine.

Cucumber

Another diuretic, hydrating and laxative vegetable is the cucumber. It contains nutrients such as vitamins B and C and minerals such as potassium and silica. It is very easy to introduce in the diet to take care of the liver, as it does not require cooking.

Leek

Another powerful food due to its sulphur compounds that improve the functioning of the largest organ in the human body. Its properties include vitamin C, potassium, phosphorus and calcium. Take leeks in creams or broths, for example.

Chickpeas

This popular legume from Spanish stews is a great source of amino acids. They form enzymes necessary for liver-cleansing metabolism. Chickpeas are rich in slowly absorbed carbohydrates, proteins, fibre and various minerals.

Apple

Finally, fruits such as apples are also ideal because they neutralise the free radicals formed in the first phase of detoxification. Its pectin content promotes intestinal transit, as well as the excretion of toxins in the faeces.

Try including these eight foods in your regular meals and you will notice the difference. In addition, you can also choose to accompany your habits with a food supplement such as Orgono Anticomplex. Thanks to elements such as zinc, magnesium, organic silica or vitamin C, you will benefit from a high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect that will undoubtedly have an impact on this essential organ.