The liver is the body’s biological filter responsible for clearing the blood of environmental and dietary toxins. The excessive stress placed on the liver due to over-exposure to air pollution, heavy metals, medication protocols, alcohol, and food additives, damage liver cells creating scar tissue.
A chronic disease known as cirrhosis develops as scar tissue displaces healthy tissue in your liver. The initial stages of cirrhosis are often unnoticed, and the condition could persist for years before presenting severe symptoms. If left undiagnosed and untreated, the disease turns liver tissue lumpy and hard, reducing blood flow to the portal vein and eventual organ failure.
Alcohol-related liver disease, viral hepatitis, metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, are all examples of adverse health conditions associated with the development of liver cirrhosis. There’s no cure for this chronic disease and demands a liver transplant.
Depending on the stage of cirrhosis, there are steps you can take to mitigate the effects of the disease and its spread. Here are 15 important lifestyle and nutrition tips to discuss with your doctor.
1. Eat More Fruits and Veggies
The primary role of the liver is to clean the blood, produce bile, and store glycogen for metabolic energy. The phytonutrients and antioxidant compounds found in specific fruits and vegetables support liver health and optimize its function. Try adding these three fruits and veggies to your diet.
Beets
This tuber contains betaine, which assists the liver’s second wash cycle. During this phase, the organ breaks down homocysteine, a compound that can increase the risk of heart disease.
Tomatoes
A natural source of lycopene, this fruit inhibits carcinogenesis and cleanses the blood of free-radicals. Additional nutrients include vitamins A, C, and E, which are potent antioxidants and immune boosters, as well as B complex vitamins to aid in liver detoxification.
Lemon
The limonoid antioxidant compounds found in lemon stimulate the digestive bile to clear undigested food particles. These phytochemicals, are particularly abundant in lemons and have an anti-microbial and cleansing effect on the liver.