The Philippine Online Chronicles

The liver is the largest gland and second largest organ in the body.  It is found in the upper right part of the abdominal cavity.  It weighs an average of 3.5 pounds. The liver is probably one of the most hardworking organs in the body but it is also one of the most under appreciated.  In fact, the liver has over 500 functions. The liver quietly performs its duties and obligations to the body while other organs like the heart and lungs get all the hype and attention.

The liver serves as the body’s filtration and processing center. The liver plays an important role in digestion and absorption of nutrients in the body. It is in charge of detoxifying harmful or toxic substances and expelling them out of the body and the bloodstream. The liver is also responsible for the production of important proteins and the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. It is also behind the synthesis of Vitamin A and substances that are important in blood clotting.

According to LiveStrong.com, individuals who have unhealthy liver usually have a yellowish tinge to their skin and eyes. They experience abdominal pain and swelling, skin itchiness, dark-colored urine, pale-colored stool, bloody or tar-colored stool, chronic fatigue, nausea and loss of appetite.

Steven Tyler, the frontman of Aerosmith was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 2005. Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease due to infection with the Hepatitis C virus.

The late Fred Panopio who was best known as the "King of Pinoy Novelty Songs" in the 1960's and 1970's was afflicted with severe liver condition. He died on April 22, 2010.

Rural doctor Julito Sabornido, Jr. was diagnosed with cirrhosis, a liver disease which resulted from chronic hepatitis B infection in 2006. Sabornido Jr. contracted hepatitis B while he was still working as a medical technologist handling blood samples. The cirrhosis worsened and developed into liver cancer. In December 2010, he was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. Through the help of family, friends and colleagues, Sabornido Jr. received a new liver on March 10, 2011. Over 60 doctors and nurses worked on the transplant surgery which lasted for twelve hours. According to ABSCBNnews.com, Sabornido Jr.'s case was declared "the first successful adult liver transplant on the first try" because the patient was discharged just after 3 weeks without any complications.

Tips for a healthy liver

Today’s modern lifestyle can be stressful to the liver. You can protect your liver by embracing a healthy way of life.  You can avoid irreversible liver damage by staying away from harmful drugs, checmicals, stimulants and risky behaviors. Here are some general tips to help keep your liver strong and healthy.

1. Avoid alcohol intake as much as possible.

If you cannot completely stop drinking alcohol, minimize your intake.  If you are a woman, limit alcohol intake to no more than one drink a day. If you are a man, limit alcohol intake to no more than two drinks a day. Too much alcohol consumption can lead to a fatty liver which can cause pressure on the liver.

2. Take your medications properly and avoid taking excessive drugs.

Take your medications properly. Taking excessive prescription and non-prescription drugs, as well as illegal drugs can put stress on the liver.  Always consult your doctor before taking medication to determine the right dosage. Self medication is discouraged. Abuse of over-the-counter and prescription drugs can damage the liver. A stressed liver will have difficulty absorbing medicines and important nutrients for the body. Never mix alcohol and medication.

3. Eat a well balanced diet.

Proper nutrition is vital to the health of the liver. Include a lot of healthy foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean meat to your regular diet because they promote proper liver function.

A healthy high fiber diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help the body excrete fat-soluble toxins.  Tomatoes, peppers and cabbage are good sources of Vitamin C while legumes, garlic and onions are sources of sulfur. Include foods rich in B-Vitamins, Vitamin E, beta carotene, calcium, and trace minerals in your diet. Nuts, seeds, brown rice, white rice, buckwheat, brewer's yeast and pulses are good sources of B-Vitamins.

Avoid eating foods that are deep-fried, high in fat, sugar or salt because they are tougher on the liver. Eating a healthy diet can also help you maintain your ideal weight and decrease the chances of developing conditions such as hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver.

4. Exercise regularly.

Proper exercise is a good way to keep your weight in check and the body functioning properly. Toxins are stored in the fat cells.  When you exercise, your body produces sweat which help removes fat and flushes out toxins in the body.  Walking, doing yoga and breathing exercises are some examples of exercises that can help cleanse the liver.

5. Cut down on stimulants.

Avoid drinking too much tea and coffee. As much as possible, refrain from smoking and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke.

6. Get hepatitis A and B vaccines.

It is advisable to have hepatitis A and B vaccines especially if you are at risk of getting the virus or if you already have it. Hepatitis is a liver disease that can lead to permanent liver damage or even death.

7.  Avoid health-risk situations.

Be extra careful when dealing with needles.  Hepatitis can easily spread through infected needles and spread of blood and other bodily fluids.  Avoid direct contact with other people’s blood and body fluids. Needles for intravenous drugs should never be shared.  Avoid sharing razor blades and toothbrushes. Practice safe sex by using condoms.

8. Be careful when using chemicals.

Take extra precaution when using insecticides, aerosol cleansers, paint, fungicides, and other toxic chemicals. Being exposed to harmful chemicals can lead to chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.

9. Drink lots of liquid.

A person should drink eight to twelve glasses of water each day.  Water can help flush the liver.  It is also good to drink fruit juices such as grapefruit, cranberry and pomegranate because of their ability to expel toxins out of the body.  Be careful about grapefruit juice because it sometimes has severe interactions with certain medications.  If you are not sure about the reaction of grapefruit with your medications, consult a doctor.

10. Try detoxifying supplements and teas.

There are detoxifying supplements and teas that help cleanse the liver and detoxify the body. The Russian Kombucha and milk thistle are examples of detox teas that flush toxins out of the body.  Detox teas can improve the liver’s ability to expel toxins.  Studies on the use of milk thistle on liver disease in humans are still quite limited. Consult your doctor before taking regular supplements and teas.

Photo: “Liver” c/o Wikimedia Commons. Public domain;  “Vegetables” by Martin Cathrae, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved; “Pills” by Keith Ramsey, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved; “Lots of tape residue” by , c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.

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Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University.  She took up her MBA at the same university.  Rachel is a full-time mom to a charming young boy and married to an entrepreneur with a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog called Heart of Rachel.