The liver is responsible for a number of important functions of the body like digestion of food, hormone production, metabolism, detoxification of the body, maintaining the volume of blood and regulating the factors affecting clotting of blood. It is an irreplaceable organ and should not be neglected so as to avoid a number of other problems. Fatty liver, cirrhosis, fibrosis, hepatitis, hepatoma and cancer are some of the diseases that affect the liver.
Fatty liver is an accumulation of fat in the liver and is medically called steatosis. Instead of burning and getting rid of excess fat from the body, fat deposits start building up in the body. This is not healthy in the long run as it affects the smooth functioning of the liver. Poor diet, chronic obesity, diabetes, alcohol intake, some drugs and an exposure to toxic substances can lead to fatty liver. Symptoms in the case of fatty liver are rare and may include pain on the right side of the body or under the rib cage, fever, jaundice or abdominal pain. Liver disorders can also cause irritability, headaches, bad breath, mood swings, indigestion, fluid retention and a lack of mental alertness. If not attended to properly, fatty liver can lead to inflammation of the liver cells and is called steatohepatitis. Regeneration of the liver cells is possible by proper care and a well balanced diet.
Switching to a healthy life style is highly recommended. Exercising regularly reduces excess weight and aids blood circulation. Alcohol, tobacco, drug use, and oily, spicy or fatty foods should be avoided completely. Light foods like salads and boiled or baked vegetables and meat are beneficial for strengthening the liver. Foods high in fiber and low in calories and saturated fats are recommended. The immune system plays an important role in the regeneration of the liver cells and hence should be strengthened. Grapefruit is rich in vitamin C, and is known for its ability to burn fats. It also helps restrict the development of fatty liver. Drinking plenty of water and fresh fruit juices assists in detoxifying the liver. Milk Thistle is the best known home remedy for detoxifying and healing the liver. Artichoke increases the production of bile, breaks down fats and strengthens the walls of the liver. Licorice protects and heals the liver due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Dandelion is known for its gentle liver cleansing abilities. A mixture of milk thistle, licorice, artichoke and dandelion is effective in cleansing and rebuilding the liver. Rosemary and phyllanthus restore the normal functioning of the liver.
answered by G M