Best Foods that Protect Your Liver and Lower Cholesterol

Important Facts about Your Liver

s Weighs around 3 pounds (1.3 kg) in adults.

s Second largest body organ after the skin.

s Situated in upper right side of abdomen, beneath diaphragm, against the ribs, above stomach.

s Is almost triangular in shape.

s It is divided into two lobes, right and left.

s Has an amazing capacity to regenerate and restore to normal size and function.

s Major functions: digestion of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, metabolism, immunity, and  storage of nutrients.

s Main filter and cleanser of your blood.

s Detoxifies your body by pumping about 2 quarts (1.8 l) of blood every minute.

s Breaks down and excretes every toxic substance that enters your body.

s Has a unique, entirely separate circulation system-the Hepatic Portal System -a series of veins carrying blood from stomach, intestine, spleen, & pancreas to the liver before continues to the heart. Your Liver 

s Produces:

Ø The bile, which removes waste and breaks down fats in the small intestine during digestion.

Ø Bilirubin, a brownish yellow pigment of bile, which gives to feces their distinctive color,  also produced in bone marrow cells. Bilirubin is the end product of aged red-blood-cell breakdown that the lives excretes into the gallbladder. It passes out of the body via the liver-gallbladder-mostly in feces, and a small amount in urine. High level of bilirubin in the blood indicates a diseased gallbladder or liver.

Ø Proteins for blood plasma (albumin/ globulin).

Ø Cholesterol and triglycerides.

s Stores:

Ø Glucose and releases it as needed.

Ø Vitamins A, D, & B-12, iron, and copper.

s Processes hemoglobin for use of its iron content.

s Clears the blood of drugs and other toxic substances.

s Regulates blood clotting.

s Filters and converts harmful waste products (ammonia, uric acid, urea, and creatinine) for excretion by the kidneys in the urine.

AVOID or MINIMIZE consuming these LIVER WEAKENING FOODS:

s Foods containing additives, trans-fats, hydrogenated  fats and oils,  and Monosodium Glutamate  (MSG) such as fast, processed,  junk, canned and packaged foods.

s Deep fried foods.

s Alcohol.

s Salt - too much salt (like in bacon, salami, and sausages) increases blood pressure and leads to fatty liver disease.

s Artificial sweeteners: Aspartame, Splenda, Nutra-

Sweet, and Equal.

s Sugary foods and drinks.

s Fructose.

s Red meat.