Liver Health Information

Everything you eat, drink, breathe and absorb through your skin eventually reaches your liver. It controls a process called metabolism, in which your liver breaks down nutrients into usable byproducts. These byproducts are delivered to the rest of your body by your bloodstream. Your liver also breaks down toxins into byproducts that can be safely eliminated.

Your liver serves as a storage depot for sugar (glucose), which it releases when you need energy. Your liver also works as a chemical factory, producing many substances that perform vital tasks in your body. Examples include bile, a fluid that carries away waste and helps digest fat in the small intestine, and cholesterol, a substance needed by every cell in your body.

Eat for Health

Since everything we eat must pass through the liver, special attention to nutrition and diet can help keep your liver healthy. Here are some tips on eating for health healthy liver, healthy you!

Eat a well balanced, nutritionally adequate diet. If you enjoy foods from each of the four food groups, you will probably obtain the nutrients you need.
Cut down on the amount of deep-fried and fatty foods you and your family consume. Doctors believe that the risk of gallbladder disorders (including gallstones, a liver-related disease) can be reduced by avoiding high-fat and cholesterol foods.

If you already have liver disease, minimize your consumption of smoked, cured and salted foods. Taste your food before adding salt! Or try alternative seasonings in your cooking such as lemon juice, onion, vinegar, garlic, pepper, mustard, cloves, sage or thyme.

MEAT, FISH, POULTRY & ALTERNATIVES PROVIDE:
protein, vitamin A, iron, vitamin B12, niacin, thiamin

BREADS AND CEREALS PROVIDE:
carbohydrates, niacin, thiamin, iron, riboflavin, fiber

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES PROVIDE:
vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, fiber, folic acid

MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS PROVIDE:
calcium, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin D

Increase your intake of high-fiber foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, rice and cereals. A high-fiber diet is especially helpful in keeping your liver healthy.

Rich desserts, snacks and drinks are high in calories because of the amount of sweetening (and often fat) they contain. Why not munch on some fruit instead?

Keep your weight close to ideal. Medical researchers have established a direct correlation between obesity and the development of gallbladder disorders. Also, those who are overweight or have diabetes are at increased risk for a form of potentially serious liver disease called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

If you are dieting to lose weight, make sure that you are still getting all the vitamins and minerals your body - and your liver! - need to function properly

A regular exercise routine, two or three days a week, will help keep your liver healthy, too.

TROUBLE SIGNS...

Here are some signs of liver trouble. If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact your doctor:

Yellow discoloration of the skin or eyes.
Abdominal swelling or severe abdominal pain.
Prolonged itching of the skin.
Very dark urine or pale stools-, or the passage of bloody or tar-like stools.
Chronic fatigue, nausea or loss of appetite.

Helping with Liver Health