It would appear that I got in over my head (so goes the old saying look before you leap) on this subjet and by no means am i the expert. This is a composite from different source's from different web sites, that had to be dissected to get clear picture of what was better information than the first post, so haphazardly posted. My apologies for the error. Also if had a small fingernail of Psychics knowledge and the writing and research experience of Laura, I might have finished the post this 5 hours ago. It is by no means complete and if there is any information that is wrong, please feel free to mirror your concerns, ideas, or question's.
A consensus of maintaining good Liver health, is Liver damage occurs when the Liver is exposed to alcohol, (over indulgence), Diets that contain excessive fat, protein or carbohydrates can damage the liver. Too much protein may cause hepatic encephalopathy (mental confusion) in individuals who already have extensive liver damage. Certain prescription medications, Stress, lack proper sleep, toxins, working with, or around, heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, that are breathed in the lungs if they are not properly protected, with respiratory breathing protection, especially designed for the environment. Through skin contact, being absorbed by pores of the skin. A job that exposes you to other people's blood and body fluids. Body piercings. Certain herbs and supplements. Diabetes, high levels of triglycerides in your blood, obesity, tattoos, unprotected sex, blood transfusions before 1992.
Avoid environmental pollutants and chemicals. Fumes from paint, paint thinners, spray adhesives, insect sprays, and other aerosol sources enter the body through where they must be detoxified and may damage the Liver. If you use chemicals or sprays, make sure to take the manufacturer's suggested precautions. Always wash your hands and any other exposed body parts after working with chemicals. Avoiding drinking or using tap water when traveling internationally ( 3rd world where water source's are in questionable). Household cleaning products should be used with similar caution as they too can damage the liver.
If the liver becomes inflamed or infected, its ability to perform these functions may be impaired. Liver disease and infections are caused by a variety of conditions including viral infections, bacterial invasion, and chemical or physical changes within the body. The most common cause of liver damage is malnutrition, especially that which occurs with alcoholism. The liver is involved in detoxifying just about everything that enters the body. Substances can enter the body in many different ways, and again (by eating and drinking, through our skin or the air we breath).
So if its in your blood it is going to be flushed through your liver.
What is the livers function?
The liver is the largest internal organ and is responsible for some 500 bodily functions. It processes almost everything we ingest, breathe, or absorb through the skin. It plays an important role in digestion and metabolism, regulating the production, storage, and release of sugar, fats, and cholesterol. The liver produces a variety of important proteins, including enzymes, hormones, blood proteins, clotting factors, and immune factors. Finally, the liver plays a role in detoxification. It filters infectious organisms, alcohol, heavy metals, drugs, and other poisons from the blood, and also processes and eliminates toxic byproducts of normal metabolism. {1}
Produces quick energy when needed
Metabolizes alcohol
Stores vitamins, minerals, and sugars
Maintains hormone balance
Regulates blood clotting
Produces proteins for the immune system
Helps in the digestive process
Manufactures new body proteins
Removes toxic substances from the blood
Regulates the transport of fat stores
Processes and eliminates drugs from the blood
Removes bacteria from the blood
Anatomy
The liver is a reddish brown organ with four lobes of unequal size and shape. A human liver normally weighs 1.4–1.6 kg (3.1–3.5 lb),[3] and is a soft, pinkish-brown, triangular organ. It is both the largest internal organ (the skin being the largest organ overall) and the largest gland in the human body.
It is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity, resting just below the diaphragm. The liver lies to the right of the stomach and overlies the gallbladder. It is connected to two large blood vessels, one called the hepatic artery and one called the portal vein. The hepatic artery carries blood from the aorta, whereas the portal vein carries blood containing digested nutrients from the small intestine and the descending colon. These blood vessels subdivide into capillaries, which then lead to a lobule. Each lobule is made up of millions of hepatic cells which are the basic metabolic cells.{2}
Blood flow (and the importance of a healthy blood)
The liver receives a dual blood supply from the hepatic portal vein and hepatic arteries. Supplying approximately 75% of the liver's blood supply, the hepatic portal vein carries venous blood drained from the spleen, gastrointestinal tract, and its associated organs. The hepatic arteries supply arterial blood to the liver, accounting for the remainder of its blood flow. Oxygen is provided from both sources; approximately half of the liver's oxygen demand is met by the hepatic portal vein, and half is met by the hepatic arteries.[4]
Blood flows through the sinusoids and empties into the central vein of each lobule. The central veins coalesce into hepatic veins, which leave the liver and empty into the inferior vena cava.
Diet and Liver Health,
Foods that are healthy for the liver fall into two main categories.
First are those that promote the detoxification process of the liver.
And second, are those that are high in antioxidants and therefore protect the liver while it's carrying out its detoxification processes.
This is where it becomes a little convoluted. There was no really clear picture, to a consensus, of the information to foods that are said to be good and were not recommend by this forum as a not so good.
An example is that many sites seem to say that grains were acceptable, such wheat, wheat pasta, pasta (starch quickly converted to sugars) whole wheat bread. Though a few do metion brown rice, but no buckwheat.
So perhaps a good, a general rule, of thumb would be eating the first meal as the heftiest ( not to make one sleepy) for the days run. Tapering down to dinner, with some saying grazing lightly, throughout the day to maintain insulin levels with a balance of cabs, protein, and fats all of good quality. With dinner being lightest of the day, but containing enough of the proper nutrient's to see one throughout a nights sleep, when the body preforms maintainace, repair, and having enough fuel that will help one go through the fasting period, while asleep for the 6 to 7 hours.
A well balanced diet, rich in fresh fruits, (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, apples, pears, and others rich antioxidant's) vegetable's (garlic, onions, artichokes, beets, bright green leaf vegetables, found in salads, spinach, broccoli chicory, endive etc.) and not over cooked and raw if possible. A good source of quality protein, containing branch chain amino acids, (which supports the body's ability to repair and protein replacement) but keeping in mind that not to over eat to much protein or fat as it can result in taxing the liver to do its it job thoroughly of processing the food that is consumed, so moderation is the key.
Healthy fats, such as olives, avocados, lightly marbled meats, like beef, ( zinc, B12, iron,) in the that are not adulterated with growth hormones, antibiotics, and are better grass (fed omega fatty 3 acid) free range, as to corn or grain raised on commercial lots in closed enviormets where disease can be prevalent. Fish Salmon, Herring, the smaller, the better such as sardines, anchovies.
Avoiding, candy's, cakes, wheat, and white breads any and all processed foods. Fast foods, frozen dinners, instanat foods, long shelved can goods, starches, soda pops, cookies, (unless home made where better quality control can be done on personal level) Excess carbohydrates can add to liver dysfunction and may cause fat deposits in the liver. Eating too much fat, especially processed fats and deep fried foods, can put an extra strain on the liver and may complicate laboratory tests used to monitor liver health in HEP C infected individuals.
Vitamins are necessary for proper body functioning and good health, however megavitamins, particularly vitamins A , D, E and K are dangerous for the liver when used in large amounts. Iron supplements should not be taken unless adviced by your physician. Always consult your doctor or healthcare professional before adding vitamin or mineral supplements to your diet. In addition, some herbs are toxic to the liver and should be avoided by individuals with liver problems. Herbal preparations that include the Crotalaria, Heliotopium, and Senecio plant families are toxic to the liver and should be avoided. Other herbs that are toxic include: chaparral, germander, comfrey (bush tea), mistletoe, skullcap, Jin Bu Haun, nutmeg, tansy ragwortsenna, sassafras, valerian and pennyroyal. As with all over the counter medications and therapies, it is very important to discuss herbal preparations with your doctor or healthcare provider before taking them.
Detoxing the liver
Freshly squeezed lemon in hot water.
Drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice in a cup of boiled water first thing in the morning helps to cleanse the liver and promote detoxification. It also stimulates bile production, cleanses the stomach and bowel and stimulates a bowel motion.
Diet plays a crucial role in modifying the detox pathways in the liver. Protein deficient diets impair detox pathways in liver, resulting in deficiencies of amino acids. (The most dangerous deficiencies are in methionine, cysteine, glutamine, glycine, and taurine.) Antioxidants should also be plentiful in the diet. Vitamin C, bioflavonoids, and anthocyanins (purple pigments in foods), chlorophyll (green pigments in foods), carotenoids (yellow and orange pigments in foods) are powerful protectors of the liver. These antioxidants are increased by a diet abundant in raw fruits, fresh vegetable salads, and raw juices.
Regular exercise and a stress reduction plan are also important for people with chronic illnesses and should always be included in a health plan. It also produces the body to sweat which aids in the release of toxins in the body and promote mental and psychical well being.
Source's:
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
www.pamf.org
Share Guide: The Holistic Health Magazine and Resource Directory
www.shareguide.com
The Body
www.thebody.com
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver
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