The liver is the largest gland of the human body, which filters the blood and is involved in the digestion of fats. The most important functions are glycogen formation, protein breakdown, regulation of vitamin balance and blood detoxification.
The New Year is inseparable from overeating and alcohol, which cause significant damage to the liver cells. If the New Year holidays are inevitable, how to protect the liver?
"Enemies" of the liver
About 10% of alcohol consumed is excreted unchanged by the kidneys and lungs. 90% is processed by the liver into inactive substances. An important process is the conversion of alcohol to acetaldehyde. However, acetaldehyde in large quantities damages the cellular structures of the liver and is also responsible for morning hangover.
Excessive intake of fatty foods increases the load on the liver, since alcohol blocks the decomposition of fatty acids. Fat deposition increases the risk of liver cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis.
Alcohol is the most important toxic substance in fermented New Year drinks. Regular use of ethyl alcohol causes both physical and mental dependence. Liver damage is the most common result of long-term drinking.
How much can you eat without health consequences?
An effective method for the prevention of alcoholic diseases is a safe dose.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), moderate consumption is up to 10 g of ethanol in women and up to 20 g in men. 10 g of alcohol is about 0.1 liters of wine or 0.25 liters of beer.
WHO also recommends pausing: 1-3 times a week to completely give up alcohol.
People suffering from fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis should abandon it.
While alcoholic hepatitis can be reversed, cirrhosis is an irreversible disease.
If you have drunk it, harm cannot be avoided?
The liver, unlike other organs, has the ability to quickly recover from damage.
In the early stages, minimal damage to the liver cells can completely regress if a person abstains from alcohol.
A more advanced liver damage - cirrhosis - usually fails to reverse completely. However, abstinence from alcohol at this stage can still seriously alleviate the course of the disease.
It is important to understand that complications of cirrhosis can lead to death.
What tool will help prevent fatty degeneration of the liver and prepare for the holidays?
Vitamin E has a powerful antioxidant effect, while L-carnitine promotes the breakdown of fatty acids. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that also inhibit alcoholic degeneration of the liver.
Silymarin is a natural compound that is present in some types of milk thistle. The active substance has both hepatoprotective and restorative actions. The herbal remedy reduces the concentration of toxic substances that damage the cell membranes of the liver cells.
Silymarin forms a complex that prevents the penetration of toxins into the liver cells. In a study published by British scientists, the authors observed the protective effect of silymarin in rat liver cells.
Milk thistle also enhances the formation of glutathione in the liver, increasing the availability of cysteine to cell structures. Regulation of cysteine synthesis may subsequently enhance the body's antioxidant defense.
Silymarin reduces collagen accumulation by 30% with biliary fibrosis. A study in humans showed a slight increase in the survival of patients with alcoholism.
Silymarin is perhaps the most commonly used natural compound for the treatment of liver diseases worldwide. Thanks to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrous effects, it will help prevent the effects of the New Year's feast.
Milk thistle is used in the form of extracts, teas or capsules during meals and before the New Year holidays.
Silymarin is not a medicine, therefore, consultation with your doctor is required. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.
