As we approach the end of Summer, we head into a post-vacation mindset packed full of kids going back to school, busy work schedules, Fall/Winter holidays and often falling back into unhealthy lifestyles revolving around our old eating and drinking habits.
Ideal health comes with a focus on caring for your body internally and externally, yet many of us often forget that on the inside there are other key organs to care for, in addition to seeking the usually recommended optimum heart and gut health. The human liver is often a health topic that flies under the radar with the public, often only being talked about in reference to alcoholism, yet there are other common liver ailments including hepatitis, gallstones, cirrhosis, cancer and more, that occur for various reasons.
We should always be mindful of how our entire body works in harmony, as we dedicate time to its overall nurturing. The liver is one of the most important and largest organs, critical to staying alive, and has over 500 primary functions, including filtering blood from the digestive tract prior to moving it along to the rest of the body. Also, the liver acts as a detoxifier for our body, filtering chemicals, metabolizing drugs and making proteins for blood clotting.
There are common recommendations for keeping a healthy liver, such as avoiding excessive alcohol intake, smoking, and toxic household chemicals. We also need to be mindful of eating healthy foods and maintaining a balanced diet. In addition, there are supplements that may help to keep our liver performing at its best, including our own CardioMender, MD, Hepato Support and Bioflavonoid Antioxidant.
Select ingredients in these common liver supplements include milk thistle, artichoke leaf, licorice root extract, turmeric, sea buckthorn and dandelion root. Studies have shown that one of the active ingredients in milk thistle, silymarin, may reduce elevated liver enzymes and inflammation in the liver and possibly assist in liver cell regeneration. The liver is unique in that a healthy one has the ability to regenerate itself following an injury. Medical evidence has shown that certain nutritional supplements may be protective and helpful in patients with liver damage, alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver disease, treating liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, and protecting the body from oxidative stress. However, additional studies need to be done. What we do know is by removing substances that are toxic to the liver such as excess fat found in fatty liver disease and excess alcohol ingestion, if implemented early enough, can allow the liver to repair itself prior to irreversible damage.
While we recommend a focus on keeping an active and healthy lifestyle, the liver sometimes needs that extra attention and our CardioMender, MD staff members can assist with any questions about supplement options and meeting your overall health goals. Our aim is to educate our patients and readers on maintaining an ideal, healthy well-being and we have seen the benefits of certain liver supplements when used appropriately. Always consult your healthcare professional prior to instituting supplements. That being said, at CardioMender, MD, we are always willing to help! Just give us a call, make an appointment or drop by during clinical hours.
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