The liver is the organ of a general.
The liver is the largest digestive gland in the human body, with detoxification and detoxification functions, known as the “chemical factory.”
The liver is the only organ without peripheral nerves, known as the “silent” organ of the body, does not show obvious pain, and has a strong “compensation” function to help self-repair.
However, when the liver gradually becomes “hard,” it is difficult to recover. If not treated for a long time, it can lead to liver cancer, so it is essential to pay attention to the liver’s health in daily life.
The Origin of Alcohol and Liver Disease
Drinking a little alcohol occasionally has little impact on the body, but long-term heavy drinking can induce alcoholic liver disease, even progressing to cirrhosis.
Approximately 90% of alcohol in the body is metabolized in the liver by alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, ultimately breaking down into water and carbon dioxide and being excreted smoothly.
Excessive alcohol intake can easily promote intermediate products like acetaldehyde in the liver, leading to liver cell damage and eventually triggering alcoholic hepatitis.
Research shows that besides alcohol consumption, several habits can lead to liver damage, especially doing these things in the morning can more easily induce liver damage, potentially leading to cirrhosis.
3 actions taken by men in the morning may harm the liver more than drinking alcohol, but most people are unaware and need correction
Regularly eating fried foods for breakfast
Fried food is one of the popular foods in modern life, with a unique taste. Eating it occasionally satisfies the stomach without harming health.
However, long-term consumption can lead to excessive intake of fats and saturated fats, increasing the burden on the liver. Eating fried foods for breakfast especially affects metabolism, burdens the liver, and gastrointestinal tract.
Experts state that consuming fried foods for a month can cause noticeable changes in the liver, leading to liver enzyme changes similar to hepatitis, and can increase the risk of developing fatty liver disease. Therefore, it is best to limit intake of fried foods.
Taking medication on an empty stomach in the morning
Modern people’s immunity is not as strong as before due to non-natural foods, and some will choose to take various medicines or health supplements even for slight discomfort.
As the saying goes, “medicine is three parts poison.” Taking medicine when not needed can increase the liver’s metabolic burden and may lead to drug-induced liver damage.
Experts indicate that certain medications and their metabolites can easily cause liver damage, whether Western or traditional Chinese medicine, increasing the metabolic burden on the body and impairing liver detoxification and health.
Getting angry in the morning, losing temper
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that anger causes liver qi to overflow, resulting in symptoms such as redness, ear redness, headache, nausea, and even fainting. Prolonged anger congestion leads to liver qi stagnation affecting various bodily functions and causing functional disruptions.
Modern research shows that when angry, the body secretes catecholamines, affecting blood sugar and fatty acids significantly, even leading to the accumulation of blood and liver toxins. This is more harmful in the morning when blood pressure is relatively high and organs are not relaxed yet. Arguing and being angry can harm the liver and cause liver problems.
Studies also show that individuals who frequently become angry have a much higher risk of developing liver disease compared to those with a stable mindset. Persistent anger may be even more harmful to the liver than drinking alcohol. It is advised to adjust one’s mindset.
The gradual stiffening of the liver may reveal 5 vulnerabilities; if one misses them, the liver is deemed healthy.
1: Yellowing of the eyes and skin
In individuals with liver cirrhosis, over half tend to develop jaundice signs, appearing yellowing of the eyes and skin. This is primarily due to the liver’s role in detoxification and metabolism. As the liver hardens, it impacts bilirubin metabolism.
As bilirubin levels rise, skin metabolism is affected, resulting in yellowing skin and eyes, posing a threat to health.
2: Spider angiomas appear
Spider angiomas resemble small red dots with radiating capillaries. Research shows that 85% of individuals with spider angiomas have liver tissue lesions, with 30% having cirrhosis.
Spider angiomas are common in areas with dense capillaries on the face, neck, chest, making their sudden appearance or enlargement a sign to promptly check liver function.
3: Darkened complexion
Healthy individuals have a rosy complexion, but as the liver becomes hard, liver disease may lead to a greyish and darkened facial appearance.
Mainly due to decreased liver function causing melanin deposition, attention must be increased to safeguard liver health.
4: Bruising appears
Unexplained bruising on the skin signifies stiffening of the liver. Altered coagulation factor synthesis due to liver hardening leads to a propensity for bleeding.
Aside from bruising and bleeding spots on the skin, watch out for nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and promptly seek medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms.
5: Development of spider nevi
As the liver hardens, spider nevi, red spots, and discoloration on the palms appear, indicating abnormal liver function. Immediate check-ups are crucial as liver health issues should not be neglected.
Liver Care Tips:
Chinese medicine recommends liver-nurturing “superstars”:
Water is the body’s best detoxifier. Drinking plenty of water helps eliminate harmful substances, reduce the liver’s burden. Adding liver-nurturing plants to water is also a good choice.
Preparation: honeysuckle, chrysanthemum, wolfberry, cassia seed, osmanthus, burdock root, and other foods. Preparing them as tea bags helps cleanse liver fire, detoxify the liver, and improve liver function.
Chrysanthemum: liver-clearing and vision improvement, essential in modern liver protection;
Cassia seed: liver-clearing and fire-reducing, detoxifying the liver and nourishing vision;
Honeysuckle: enhances immune function, suppresses internal viruses;
Burdock root: reduces toxin accumulation in the body, relieves fatigue;
Osmanthus: freshens breath, eliminates halitosis, soothes the liver;
Scientifically combine these ingredients into tea bags, drink a cup daily to rid the body of toxins, reduce liver burden. While DIY may be technical, opting for ready-made tea bags with genuine ingredients can provide the nutrients to protect health.
Get enough rest, avoid staying up late
Sleep is crucial for liver health, allowing the liver to detoxify and repair itself during rest. Prolonged late nights and insufficient sleep can aggravate liver burden and impair liver function.
People with chronic lack of sleep experience hormonal imbalances, disrupted nervous system function, leading to liver issues. It’s important to maintain adequate sleep by going to bed early and waking up early.
Enter deep sleep before 11 PM and ensure 7-8 hours of rest. This helps maintain a stable internal environment and enhances liver function.
