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In today’s society, many elderly people, after retiring, tend to indulge in food without moderation due to extra leisure time and reduced life stress.
Among them, many elderly individuals are influenced by the concept of “eating coarse grains for health,” believing that consuming more coarse grains can help the body better intake fiber and regulate bodily functions. However, for individuals with poor liver function, excessive consumption of certain coarse grains may pose a health risk.
When liver function is impaired, substances that should be metabolized and processed by the liver, if consumed excessively, may add extra burden to the liver, affecting its repair and functionality.
Here, let’s take a detailed look at several types of coarse grains that, although beneficial, can be “thorny roses” for individuals with poor liver health. Corn is a common staple on many people’s tables, not only sweet-tasting but also rich in fiber. However, for individuals with compromised liver function, the high starch content in corn could increase the burden on the liver since the liver needs to break down these large amounts of sugars.
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Imagine an elderly person who has been on the front lines fighting liver disease. If they indiscriminately consume large amounts of corn daily, their liver may face unnecessary pressure.
Next, oats, although a quality source of dietary fiber with significant benefits for controlling blood sugar and cholesterol, their levels of fat and protein may pose a challenge for liver disease patients. Since liver disease patients often experience obstacles in protein metabolism, excessive oat consumption may burden the liver excessively, thereby affecting the liver’s repair process.
Lastly, let’s discuss sorghum. Sorghum is one of the main grains in Northern China, rich in antioxidants and fiber, but also a grain with relatively high starch content. For individuals with weakened liver function, the starch and fiber components in sorghum also require the liver to put in significant metabolic efforts for processing.
If an elderly person with impaired liver function consumes a high proportion of sorghum in their daily diet, it poses a considerable challenge to their already fatigued liver. Although these three types of coarse grains each have their unique nutritional value, they are not suitable for excessive consumption by individuals with poor liver function.
Everyone’s physical condition varies, therefore, when it comes to dietary choices, it is essential to pay more attention to individualization and suitability in daily eating habits, especially when facing liver health issues. Reasonably adjusting dietary structure to avoid overburdening the liver is a crucial step in maintaining health.
For elderly individuals who already have liver disease, it is even more important to adjust their diet under a doctor’s guidance to ensure that every bite of food is a form of care for the body rather than a burden.
Firstly, let’s look at black rice. Black rice, known as the “black pearl” and “superfood of the world,” indeed boasts higher nutritional value than ordinary white rice, rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins, which aid in heart health and anti-inflammatory properties.
Patients with liver disease often have compromised kidney function as well. High-potassium foods may elevate potassium levels in the body, leading to irregular heart rhythms or more severe issues. Imagine an elderly person with a damaged liver who is unaware of their compromised kidney function, continued consumption of black rice may pose hidden risks to their health. Next, we come to buckwheat.
Although buckwheat has a good effect on controlling blood sugar and improving cardiovascular health due to its lack of gluten, often considered an ideal choice for those with gluten intolerance or wheat allergies.
However, the issue with buckwheat lies in its richness in purines, which can lead to high uric acid levels, particularly for liver disease patients and especially those with gout or hyperuricemia, excessive purine intake may raise uric acid levels, overburdening the liver and kidneys.
Clinically, I have encountered some patients who attempted to improve their health by consuming a large amount of buckwheat without understanding this aspect, only to find out it did not help their liver recover but exacerbated the condition. Lastly, let’s discuss Job’s tears. Job’s tears are commonly used in Asian traditional medicine for reducing edema and enhancing the body’s digestive functions.
However, Job’s tears are also high-fiber foods, which could exacerbate the burden on the digestive system for certain patients with liver function insufficiencies, especially when the digestive function is already compromised.
Excessive Job’s tears intake may cause liver disease patients to experience symptoms like bloating or indigestion, posing an extra challenge to the already weakened liver. When liver disease patients choose their food, they should not only consider the nutritional content but also deeply understand how these components affect their condition, making choices that are more suitable for their specific health status.
Adapt dietary habits rationally, avoid foods that may add extra burden to liver function, which is a crucial part of protecting the liver and promoting recovery from illnesses.
Each individual has different circumstances; therefore, before making dietary adjustments, it is best to consult a doctor or nutritionist to develop a dietary plan tailored to one’s specific health conditions.
In the summer, due to high temperatures, people’s lifestyle rhythms and physiological needs undergo changes, having direct and indirect impacts on liver health. Firstly, summer is an ideal period to maintain a proper weight. High temperatures accelerate the body’s metabolism and increase water evaporation, prompting individuals to consume more water and opt for light foods.
For elderly individuals with compromised liver health, maintaining a healthy weight is crucial because being overweight or obese can lead to fat accumulation in the liver, causing fatty liver and worsening the liver’s condition.
In the summer, the elderly should make good use of the season by increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables, reducing the consumption of high-fat and high-sugar foods to help control weight. For example, choosing high-water content foods like watermelon and cucumber can not only replenish fluids but also help reduce the burden on the liver.
Secondly, in summer, it is essential to avoid the risk of heatstroke brought about by high temperatures. The elderly have relatively weaker temperature regulation abilities and are highly susceptible to the effects of high temperatures; heatstroke not only directly harms the body but can also exacerbate symptoms of liver diseases.
It is recommended to avoid going out during the hottest times, staying in air-conditioned or well-ventilated environments, wearing breathable clothing to ensure the body is not overly strained by high temperatures. Additionally, summer is a good time for moderate physical activity.
By properly arranging daily life and activities, not only can the deleterious effects of summer be avoided, but the season’s characteristics can also be utilized to promote liver health and enhance quality of life. Every elderly individual should adjust their lifestyle selectively based on their specific health conditions, ensuring that each summer is spent healthily and happily.
What are your thoughts on liver health? Feel free to join the discussion in the comments section!
References
[1] Lu Xu. Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Service Effects on Hepatitis B Cirrhosis Patients by Combining Pharmacotherapy Management with PCNE Classification System, Medical Guidance Report, June 1, 2024
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