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Toxic load on the liver: how to avoid and support the organ?

In this article:
The main causes of toxic load on the liver
Symptoms of toxic liver damage
How to “clean” the liver from toxins?
Repairing the liver after exposure to toxins
Toxic load on the liver: how to avoid and support the organ?

The liver is a vital organ, a real “detoxification station” in the human body.Together with the kidneys, it protects the body from the effects of waste products (“slags”) and harmful substances.However, the work of the liver is not limited to the neutralization of toxins.We will tell you more about its functions, diseases and their symptoms, modern methods of support and recovery of the liver in this article.

The liver is a large unpaired organ with a very high ability to regenerate. Due to this property, transplantation of part of the liver from a living donor is widespread in the world. But the fact that the organ can restore its volume after transplantation, does not mean that its health does not need to be taken care of. If you constantly “poison” the liver with alcohol and other toxins - sooner or later it will simply stop performing its functions.

Remember! Only a relatively healthy liver can regenerate. If the whole organ is seriously damaged (for example, in the development of cirrhosis) - neither independently, nor with the help of drugs to restore its structure and work will not be possible

The main functions of the liver are:

  • filtration of blood from toxins and harmful substances - the liver neutralizes metabolic products, alcohol, drugs, various poisons;
  • synthesis of bile - it is necessary for the breakdown of fats in the intestine. Bile also contributes to the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D, K;
  • metabolism and energy balance - the liver stores some glucose in the form of glycogen and converts it back into glucose when the body urgently needs energy. In addition, it provides the formation of amino acids, is involved in the metabolism of fats;
  • protein synthesis and immune defense - it is in the liver that albumin is synthesized, which maintains blood volume and blood pressure, coagulants that ensure blood clotting, as well as other proteins - necessary for the formation of antibodies and the body's defense against infections.

How does the detoxification process occur in the liver? All harmful substances enter the organ with blood through the portal vein. And then complex biochemical processes begin in the hepatocytes (liver cells):

  • Phase 1 (oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis) - thanks to these reactions, drugs, toxins, alcohol, other harmful substances are transformed into simple compounds, and the main merit in this belongs to enzymes (in particular, cytochrome P450). For some toxins, a single step is sufficient: for example, ethyl alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde, acetic acid - and in this form is excreted from the body;
  • phase 2 (conjugation, or attachment of molecules) - harmful substances bind to sulfates, glutathione, glucuronic acid and become water-soluble, and are then excreted with urine or bile. This is how bilirubin leaves the body.

However, the possibilities of the liver are not unlimited. With a constant intake of harmful substances (e.g., alcohol), the organ works at the limit of its capabilities, but over time they are depleted. This leads to damage and death of hepatocytes, replacing them with connective tissue. This is how cirrhosis occurs - a potentially fatal disease in which the body loses the ability to fight toxins.

The main causes of toxic load on the liver

To “load” the liver with toxins, it is not necessary to take arsenic or eat fly agaric. You can not even abuse alcohol. It is enough just to eat wrong, overeat - and eventually the liver will refuse to do its job, because our usual food is not as harmless as it seems. And if to all this add harmful substances (for example, some drugs) - toxic overload is provided.

Liver and toxins are compatible if hepatocytes are healthy and there are few “harmful substances”. In other cases, the organ may not be able to handle the load

So, the liver is most commonly affected by:

  • poor diet;
  • alcohol;
  • hepatotoxic drugs;
  • environmental pollutants;
  • other poisons.

Improper nutrition

Contrary to popular belief, it is improper nutrition that is the main factor in liver damage. If you eat a lot of fatty and fried, high-calorie food, then over time lipids (fats) will begin to accumulate directly in the hepatocytes and fatty degeneration of the liver (fatty hepatosis, or steatosis) will occur.

At this stage, the disease is not too dangerous, and if in time to “take over the mind” - the organ will be able to restore its structure. But if you continue to abuse fats, an inflammatory process will begin in the liver cells - steatohepatitis. This disease is much more serious, because it can lead to cirrhosis and death.

However, not only fats are harmful to the liver. Food high in carbohydrates and sugar provokes an increase in the level of insulin and lipids in the blood, which also creates an excessive load for the “detoxification station”. Salt is also harmful to the liver - if you use it without measure.

Alcohol

Alcohol can be safely called “hepatotoxic leader”. Its main danger lies in the fact that the liver is destroyed gradually, without vivid manifestations. And when a person already has symptoms - it is almost impossible to restore the normal function of the organ.

The risk of alcoholic liver damage increases rapidly when consuming more than 45 g of ethyl alcohol per day for women and 60 g for men (approximately 110 g and 150 g of vodka, respectively)

But in fact it is not ethanol (ethyl alcohol) that destroys the liver, but the substance into which it is converted in the body - acetaldehyde. The transformation occurs with the participation of a special enzyme alcoholdehydrogenase. Acetaldehyde is many times more toxic and destructive than ethanol.

Fortunately, a healthy person produces another enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase. It converts acetaldehyde into less toxic acetic acid, which is excreted from the body. But people with insufficiency of these enzymes can be sympathized with - after taking alcohol they suffer not only the liver, but also the whole body (from a heavy hangover).

Hepatotoxic drugs

Doctors say that the liver is destroyed not all drugs, but many of them. Moreover, even seemingly harmless headache tablets can have hepatotoxicity - for example, the usual paracetamol. Although it is allowed to pregnant women and babies from three months, with a significant increase in dosage or individual hypersensitivity paracetamol can provoke necrosis of liver cells, coma and death.

However, this does not mean that now you need to give up all drugs that are metabolized in the liver. The main thing is not to self-medicate. If you take drugs in accordance with the doctor's prescription, in most cases, damage to hepatocytes can be avoided

Drugs most dangerous to the liver:

  • Tuberculosis drugs;
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
  • estrogens;
  • methotrexate;
  • antineoplastic drugs;
  • cytostatics and others.

Environmental pollution

Many people think that only the lungs are affected by pollution, but this is not true. First, harmful substances from the air enter the bloodstream through the lungs and then the liver. These include dioxins and benzopyrenes, carbon monoxide, ammonia, and nitrogen dioxide. Second, toxins are not only in the air, but also in food or water (heavy metal salts, pesticides and chemicals).

The more unfavorable the environmental situation, the higher the toxic load on the liver, regardless of where the poisonous substances enter - in the air, water or food.

Other poisons

With poisonous substances most of us rarely encounter, but it is necessary to know about them. The most dangerous source of “liver” toxins is the pale grebe mushroom. Its poisons (α-amanitin and amatoxins) cause severe liver damage and liver failure, often resulting in death.

Other hepatotoxic poisons:

  • Aflatoxin (produced by mold fungi);
  • carbon tetrachloride;
  • acetonitrile;
  • arylisocyanates;
  • pesticides;
  • white phosphorus;
  • arsenic;
  • ammonia.

Symptoms of toxic liver damage

At first, toxic liver damage goes unnoticed, with erased symptoms. A person may notice only increasing weakness and fatigue. But most people do not pay much attention to this, writing off everything to chronic stress and work.

However, over time, new symptoms of an “overloaded” liver begin to appear:

  • Problems with the skin - it can become dull and pale. When the excretion of bilirubin is impaired, the skin turns yellow and itchy. Eye sclerae may also turn yellow;
  • digestive disorders - liver problems are often manifested by nausea, decreased appetite, poor digestion of fats. When the liver is enlarged, there is a feeling of heaviness in the right subcostal region, abdominal pain;
  • stool disorder;
  • change in the color of urine and feces;
  • weight loss;
  • appearance of “vascular stars” on the skin.

When liver failure develops, edema due to impaired albumin synthesis and bleeding may appear.

Jaundice, dark urine and light-colored feces are very characteristic “liver” symptoms. If they occur, you should seek immediate medical attention

If liver damage is suspected, gastroenterologists (or hepatologists) prescribe the following tests:

  • general blood and urine analysis;
  • biochemical examination of blood (liver tests);
  • ultrasound of the liver;
  • blood tests for markers of viral hepatitis.

Depending on the results obtained, additional studies may be necessary (for example, CT scan of the abdominal cavity, fibroelastography of the liver).

How to “clean” the liver from toxins?

Cleansing (“cleaning”) the liver from toxins is one of the most popular and persistent myths in medicine. But, unfortunately, it was and will remain only a myth. It is impossible to “clean” this organ.

You can take care of the liver - for example, eat right, do not drink alcohol and be careful with drugs. This will help the organ to preserve its structure, and hepatocytes - activity. But to destroy the liver for years, and then to restore it in a month with “magic” pills - alas, will not work.

Natural ways to cleanse the liver - the same myth as everything else. Science has not yet come up with either natural or synthetic remedies that could rid the liver of fat deposits and reverse the development of cirrhosis

Repairing the liver after exposure to toxins

After alcohol abuse or drug therapy, liver support is very important - and it starts with nutrition. A balanced diet enriched with healthy foods will help restore the activity of hepatocytes and prevent further damage.

Proper nutrition to “detoxify” the liver includes:

  • vegetables - especially green leafy vegetables, as well as carrots, onions, garlic, and cauliflower;
  • low-sugar fruits - e.g. green apples, various berries;
  • oily sea fish with a high content of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids - sardines, mackerel, salmon, herring;
  • whole grain products - quinoa, brown rice, whole grain bread;
  • olive oil and other vegetable oils;
  • beans, chickpeas - legumes are high in protein and fiber, but very low in fat;
  • seeds and nuts - almonds are rich in magnesium, while walnuts, chia seeds and flax seeds are rich in antioxidants and healthy fats. They inhibit inflammation in the liver and reduce the risk of steatohepatitis (with accompanying fatty hepatosis);
  • herbs - dill, parsley, cilantro, basil not only give food different shades of flavor, but also have anti-inflammatory properties. They also contain many vitamins, flavonoids and antioxidants.

Please note: The best diets for liver repair areTheDASHMediterranean Diet .

How to protect the liver with medications?

The search for the best drugs to “detoxify” the liver has been going on for years. But so far, doctors agree on one thing: it is better not to expose the liver to toxins than to restore it later. This process is complex, requires a comprehensive approach and does not guarantee 100% success. However, if the liver has already suffered - it must be treated somehow.

Today, the most prescribed drugs to restore and protect the liver are considered hepatoprotectors. They can act on hepatocytes and the body as a whole in different ways - depending on the composition:

  • protect cell membranes;
  • stimulate the regeneration of liver cells;
  • reduce oxidative stress;
  • improve metabolism;
  • prevent the development of fatty dystrophy of the organ;
  • reduce the activity of the inflammatory process in hepatocytes.

Hepatoprotectors are vegetable (based on silymarin) and synthetic. Also allocate amino acid preparations (containing ademethionine) and vitamin and mineral complexes that support the liver and restore the activity of its cells.

In modern gastroenterology / hepatology widely used hepatoprotectors containing essential phospholipids (phospholipids from soybeans) - for example, the drug Essenciale Forte. Their main pharmacotherapeutic effects:

  • Facilitate the repair of damaged liver tissue;
  • normalize fat metabolism;
  • stabilize bile;
  • improve metabolism.

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Doctors prescribe Essentiale Forte in various hepatitis (including alcoholic and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), cirrhosis, before and after surgical treatment of the liver, radiation syndrome. Also soy phospholipids are used in the treatment of fatty liver dystrophy and have confirmed their effectiveness instudies.

Hepatoprotectors also include ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), but it is more often prescribed for other diseases - for example, primary biliary cirrhosis or to dissolve X-ray-negative cholesterol gallstones.

Important! No hepatoprotectant will work a miracle if you do not change your lifestyle. Not only proper nutrition and effective medications are important for liver recovery, but also adequate physical activity (remember that movement is life!), and refusal from bad habits (including smoking)

Toxic “overload” of the liver is not pneumonia, which can be cured with antibiotics, and not appendicitis, which will be removed by a surgeon. It is a condition that requires a complex approach and constant self-control. But, if you make efforts, the liver will thank you with active work for many years.

The Liki24 team wishes you excellent health and a healthy liver!

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