By focusing on nutritious whole foods (preferably organic) and drinking plenty of water, you can reduce the number of toxins that your liver has to cope with. You will also provide the nourishment it needs to function effectively. Acetaldehyde is toxic to liver cells, and regular alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic hepatitis, a serious liver disease characterized by liver inflammation and scar tissue development. Treating any underlying medical conditions affecting the liver will also be important. Diseases such as hepatitis or an autoimmune disorder may worsen alcoholic cirrhosis. Maintaining a high-protein, high-calorie diet will typically be recommended by medical professionals, along with maintaining a healthy level of exercise.
Maintaining an Overall Healthy Lifestyle
The liver’s ability to regenerate and heal is remarkable, but it requires time and the absence of alcohol to do so effectively. Learn about natural recovery, professional treatment, and liver support supplements. It removes toxins from your body, cleanses your blood, and converts the foods you eat into forms that you can use for energy. The foods listed here will help support it with all these important functions, keeping you feeling healthy and energized throughout the day.
- A natural detox diet involves incorporating more whole (preferably organic) foods into your daily regimen, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean proteins, and healthy oils.
- During the first phase of liver detoxification, known as activation, enzymes are activated to convert toxins into intermediate compounds.
- This can cause a sudden drop in kidney function known as “acute kidney injury.” When this happens, dialysis is needed until a person’s kidney function returns to normal.
- People who drink too much are more likely to have high blood pressure.
- Studies have confirmed its benefits, one of which is that it can help prevent liver disease.
- Broccoli sprouts are an incredibly rich source of sulforaphane, a sulfur-containing compound with detoxification-enhancing properties.
Use liver-supporting supplements strategically.
Essentially, feeling “drunk” is when your liver becomes too overwhelmed to properly process alcohol, so it overflows temporarily into your bloodstream. This is what causes you to feel light-headed or tipsy after multiple alcoholic drinks. Yousef Elyaman, MD, is the founder and Medical Director of Absolute Health, a primary care functional medicine practice in Ocala, Florida. He’s the 100th President of the how does alcohol affect the kidneys Marion County Medical Society and the Functional Medicine Director at The Guest House Ocala, a trauma and substance abuse center. Dr. Elyaman also serves as the Medical Director for HumanN, a leading nutraceutical company, and as a consultant for Quest Diagnostics Laboratory’s Wellness Division. He’s teaching faculty for the Institute for Functional Medicine, specializing in their Cardiometabolic module.
Supporting Liver Health and Detoxification
Turmeric, a vibrant yellow spice commonly used in cooking, contains a powerful compound called curcumin. Curcumin has been extensively studied for its numerous health benefits, including its ability to support liver health. Curcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help protect the liver from damage caused by toxins and free radicals.
This conjugation process involves enzymes such as glutathione-S-transferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, and sulfotransferase. “Think of this as your body’s chance to leave work and catch up on some house cleaning. To ensure optimal liver (and overall) well-being, prioritizing healthy body composition is key.
- People who drink alcohol and have become alcohol-dependent may struggle to quit drinking.
- It has hundreds of jobs, including filtering toxins from your bloodstream, balancing macro- and micronutrients, and regulating hormones.
- “Periods without food give our body [and liver] a chance to repair and clean itself out since it doesn’t have to focus on or funnel energy to our digestive system.
- The foods listed here will help support it with all these important functions, keeping you feeling healthy and energized throughout the day.
However, the liver’s ability to reverse alcohol-related injury and scarring depends on several factors, including dietary and lifestyle habits, genetic predisposition, and overall health status. The liver is a vital organ that regulates crucial physiological functions, and poor liver health can lead to various hormonal, metabolic, skeletal, and skin issues. Turmeric, sometimes called “the golden spice,” can give your body a boost and may help protect against liver injury. But there’s not enough research to support using it regularly for prevention. Studies have found that liver injuries from herbal and dietary supplements are on the rise.
Natural Recovery of the Liver
Leafy Green Vegetables
The Role of NAC, Milk Thistle, and Alpha-Lipoic Acid
- During sleep, the body undergoes various restorative processes, allowing the liver to efficiently carry out its detoxification functions.
- Find stress-reducing techniques that work for you, such as practicing mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or engaging in hobbies that bring you joy.
- And even occasional binge drinking episodes can have profound effects on your liver’s health over time.
- Your liver also protects you from infections by calling on your macrophage system.
- This is a defense mechanism that destroys any bacteria it encounters.