The liver is responsible for hundreds of important bodily functions, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Certain liver diseases can cause inflammation and harm the tissues of this vital organ. Contact your doctor if you suspect you have a liver disorder. Special detoxification diets are not scientifically proven to provide any health benefits, according to MayoClinic.com. Limiting alcohol, eating a nutritionally balanced diet and taking certain herbs may help detoxify and cleanse the liver. Ask your health care provider about the benefits of herbs for liver health.
Function
The liver produces bile, a a fluid which helps moves toxic substances through the intestines and eventually out of the body through bowel movements, reports the UMMC. The liver also manages chemical levels in the bloodstream. The kidneys step in to filter the byproducts of harmful substances in the blood which are excreted from the body in urine.
Types
Alcohol-induced liver disease is caused by consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. Fatty liver is the most common type of alcohol-induced liver disease, notes the UMMC. Fatty liver, as the name suggests, is the buildup of too much fat, which causes the liver to become enlarged. Alcoholic hepatitis is a type of liver disorder that causes severe inflammation, destroys liver cells and leads to scarring.
Chronic liver disease causes a slow but steady breakdown of liver tissue over time. Cirrhosis is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Symptoms
Common symptoms of liver disease include dark urine, pale stools, jaundice liver and/or gallbladder enlargement and, ultimately, liver failure, notes the UMMC. Liver failure occurs when any type of liver condition injures a large percentage of the organ. Jaundice causes a yellowish discoloration of the eye whites and skin due to excessively high amounts of bile pigment in the bloodstream.
Solutions
The liver has an enormous ability to repair itself, points out the UMMC. The primary goal of detoxification and treatment is to bring back normal functioning of the liver. In cases of alcohol-related liver problems, abstaining from liquor is the first line of treatment.
Milk thistle contains a flavonoid called silymarin which may help shield the liver from toxins, according to the UMMC. Silymarin may help the liver repair itself, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Milk thistle is sometimes recommended as an herbal treatment for alcoholic cirrhosis and hepatitis, but studies into its effectiveness have been mixed. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking milk thistle for liver problems.
Dietary Considerations
A nutritious plant-based diet that limits fatty and fried foods is important for everyone and especially for people with cirrhosis of the liver since they may suffer from malnutrition, reports MayoClinic.com. A healthy diet includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains as well as lean sources of protein, such as fish or poultry. People with cirrhosis should avoid raw seafood since it may contain a bacterium that may lead to serious infection.
Misconceptions
Detox diets are touted as a way to eliminate toxins from the body often through fasting or with the use of special cleansers or supplements. Little evidence exists to support claims that special detox diets actually remove poisonous substances from the liver, colon or other areas of the body, points out the MayoClinic.com.
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