4 Ways to Support Your Liver
The liver is a large organ in the abdomen that is responsible for many different functions. For example, your liver can:
Filter toxins by breaking down harmful chemicals that are found in various foods, drinks, and drugs to clear them from your system.
Produce bile which is an important compound in your body that is used to break down fats and helps your body use vitamins consumed through diet.
Store energy in the form of long sugar chains known as glycogen. If you are someone who intermittently fasts, the periods where you do not eat are periods where your body relies on glycogen stored in the liver for energy.
Therefore, it is a good thing to include activities or behaviors in your daily routine that can help your liver maintain a healthy function.
Here are just some of the many ways you can help your liver stay healthy as well as maintain, or even improve its function throughout your day-to-day life:
1. Drink Less Alcohol (Or At Least, Drink In Moderation)
In fact, heavy drinking can cause a list of problems for the liver, causing it to become inflamed and damaged. In the worst cases, frequent, heavy drinking can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, which can be life-threatening if not treated early.
2. Watch Your Weight
Your liver works hard to break down fats. Obesity increases fats in the blood, making your liver work even harder. Maintaining a healthy weight can help you maintain a healthy liver.
3. Eat More Fiber
The liver works hard to break down complex foods like fat and sugars, while fibers are easy for the liver to work with. If you want to reduce the strain on your liver, try including fibrous foods like nuts, soy, broccoli, oatmeal, and fruits in your diet.
4. Include More Antioxidant Foods And Drinks
As your liver works to break down foods and chemicals entering your body, it can get quite worked up and cause the release of damaging compounds. Antioxidant foods and drinks may help your liver by removing these compounds from the system.
Improving liver function all comes down to including a variety of these steps into your daily routine. These are all effective ways to help your liver break down complex foods, keep cool when working hard, and preserve its function over your long, healthy life.