Imagine the liver as a personal filtering system: catch the bad and let the good pass.
“The liver plays many essential roles in keeping people healthy. It removes harmful substances from the blood and helps digest food,” explains Hermeet Suri, a holistic nutrition expert and head of the Canadian Homeopathic Plus Center .
The human liver weighs 1.5 kilos on average and is a gummy, dark red organ on the stomach on the right , as defined by WebMD.com. Hermeet Suri tells us that a liver in the correct state works as a fat-burning organ: it transforms the nutrients from the food we eat into essential components for the blood, stores vitamins and minerals and also produces proteins and enzymes, helping us to maintain a good balance Hormone in the body. The liver also helps the immune system fight infections and eliminate bacteria from the blood. Finally, it secretes bile, which is imperative to digest the food.
Conditions of the liver can be hereditary or can be caused by viruses or harmful chemicals , according to the Mayo Clinic. Neglecting the health of the liver can increase the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, allergies and other ailments, according to Hermeet Suri. “Although the immune system protects the body from a multitude of hazards, it is the liver that prevents this system from overworking,” he says, while recommending avoiding excessive consumption of tobacco, alcohol, coffee and refined sugar, as well as drinking A lot of water and include in the routine small loads of exercise (worth even a daily walk) to keep the liver healthy.
Of course, diet is also important; These 10 fresh foods contribute to the health of the liver:
Garlic
Garlic helps the liver activate certain enzymes to get rid of toxins. It also has a high content of allicin and selenium, two natural nutrients that collaborate in the purification of the liver, explains Hermeet Suri.
Grapefruit
Taking grapefruit, directly or in juice, is good for eliminating toxins and carcinogenic substances, in addition to being high in vitamin C and antioxidants.
Beet
Beets are rich in vegetable flavonoids, a substance that serves to improve the general functioning of the liver.
Green leafy vegetables
Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce have the ability to neutralize the metals, chemicals and pesticides that may be present in foods. In addition, they serve as a protection mechanism for the liver.
Green Tea
Green tea is packed with plant antioxidants called catechins, a known ally to improve liver function.
Avocado
Avocados contribute to the production of glutathione in the body, a type of antioxidant necessary for the liver to filter harmful substances.
Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts increase the amount of glucosinolates in the body needed for the production of digestive enzymes.
Lemon
t is well known that citrus fruits are full of vitamin C; But lemon also helps our body purify toxins and is good for digestion.
Turmeric
This spice is known for its properties to help digest lipids and stimulate bile production . It is also a natural ally for the elimination of toxins from the liver.
Nuts
Nuts are rich in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids, substances that help the liver in its purification process.
