Food, drinks, medications, cosmetics and certain household chemicals contain poisons that could potentially kill you. The reason you're still alive is simply because you've got a functioning liver. The liver is your detoxification powerhouse that constantly rids your system of harmful substances to keep you healthy. You can benefit from liver exercises at any age but such exercises are more relevant during the twilight years when the cleaning ability of your liver cells starts diminishing.
Why Liver Exercises?
The buildup of toxic substances resulting from the liver's reduced cleansing ability is partly responsible for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Your liver naturally undergoes certain age-related degenerative changes that reduce its ability to perform normal functions. Liver exercises can delay these changes, thereby helping you to maintain a healthy liver. Exercises also reduce body fat, which, in turn, reduces the workload on your liver.
Swimming
Swimming is one of the safest exercises for a healthy liver. It builds endurance, strengthens muscles, helps your heart and promotes a general sense of well-being. By mobilizing several muscle groups, swimming promotes circulation, which is good for your liver. There is need for caution, though, because prolonged swimming in warm water depletes glycogen stores, as reported in a 1990 edition of "Clinical Physiology and Biochemistry." According to the study, prolonged warm water swimming stimulates epinephrine release, breaking down glycogen. Raised epinephrine levels can also induce stress, which adversely affects liver function.
Walking
The Mayo Clinic recommends walking for people who suffer from liver disease. Walking is also recommended in new research presented at the annual meeting of the journal "Experimental Biology," according to an April 13 article in the "Los Angeles Times." Study participants increased their level of good fat by 84 percent after a week of treadmill walking. Researchers concluded that participants were already burning fat within one week of walking, thereby reducing their risk of liver disease.
Cycling
Both static and regular cycling promote optimal liver function. Cycling improves circulation, reduces blood pressure and increases fat burning enzymes. The American Liver Foundation recommends a regular exercise routine, involving two or three days of exercise per week, including cycling. Starting with a sponsored marathon race in 1988, the organization has raised awareness of liver disease among Americans through its "Liver Life Challenge" events. Cycling was the focus of its 2011 "Liver Life Challenge" event, and more events are scheduled.
References
- Science20; Researchers Correct Age-Related Decline in Liver Function; August 2008
- Mayo Clinic; Lifestyle and Home Remedies; February 2011
- LiverDisease: The Importance of Exercise; Melissa Palmer; 2004
- "Clinical Physiology and Biochemistry"; Effect of Swimming in Thermal Water; A Boninsegna et al.; Volume 8, 1990
- "Los Angeles Times": People With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver; Jeannine Stein; April 2011
- GpsNewz: The Benefits of Cycling
