If you have pain in the upper right part of your belly, have lost your appetite and feel frequent dizziness, it is very possible that you have an inflamed liver. This problem, closely linked to fatty liver, is a fairly common disorder in society that, if not treated in time and properly, can bring serious consequences.
Below, from, we tell you everything you need to know about how to reduce liver inflammation: discover the best diets to reduce liver inflammation, foods to regenerate and cleanse the liver and tips to relieve the pains of the inflamed and fatty liver.
What is the liver and what are its functions
The liver is one of the most important and complex organs of our body, since it carries out a large number of chemical functions extremely important for our survival.
This dark red organ is located under the diaphragm and above the stomach and weighs approximately 1.5 kg. As you have already guessed from the area of the body in which it is located, the liver is essential for the digestion of food, so, below, we will explain in detail the functions of the liver:
- One of the most important functions of the liver is the intense selection of toxins for our body that it carries out. This organ filters and disposes of toxins that can be harmful or unnecessary to our health. By eliminating these toxins, the liver serves as a protection against various infections that could threaten our well-being.
- Just as it gets rid of unnecessary toxins, the liver also separates the components of the blood that leaves the stomach and selects the essential nutrients for our body to function optimally.
- The liver produces bile, a liquid that dissolves fats during digestion so that they can be absorbed. This organ also breaks down the food and medicines we take and chooses the compounds necessary for the improvement of our health.
- Another important function of the liver is that it transforms fat from the food we eat into energy and stores glycocene to transform it into glucose when needed and send it to the blood.
- The liver also produces essential proteins for the body and transforms them into amino acids, organic molecules necessary for the proper functioning of our body.
If you want more information about the different functions of this organ, do not miss this detailed article on What is the function of the liver.
Inflamed liver: causes and consequences
There are many elements and reasons that can influence liver enlargement. Below, we discover some of the most common causes of inflamed liver and we inform you, also, of some consequences of this condition:
Causes of inflamed liver
- An infection such as mononucleosis or hepatitis A, B and C can be a cause of this ailment.
- People who suffer from alcoholism are more susceptible to having an inflamed liver. The same goes for those people who are undiagnosed but still ingest large amounts of alcohol.
- Drugs and medication abuse are other reasons why your liver can become inflamed. This is because certain substances in the drugs can significantly damage this organ.
- An inadequate diet can be a cause, also of the inflamed liver. If your diet is abundant with fats and, instead, there is a lack of fruits, vegetables and healthier foods, your liver may be suffering the consequences.
- Certain genetic diseases or heart disorders such as heart failure can also inflame the liver.
- Finally, and of course, liver cancer can lead to several symptoms, including inflammation of the organ. However, it is important not to be alarmed because it is most likely that it is one of the above problems.
Consequences of inflamed liver
Having an inflamed liver, as you will see below with the symptoms, can cause you very discomfort and can lead, in the long run, to more serious problems such as:
- Sudden changes in weight that can lead to overweight or obesity.
- Chronic tiredness and constant abdominal pain.
- Problems in the dermis (purple spots, jaundice, etc.)
- Harmfully elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Symptoms of inflamed liver
If you begin to notice any of the following symptoms, it is best to pay attention to how the ailments evolve and visit a doctor. Here are some of the symptoms of inflamed liver:
- Abdominal pain, especially in the right area.
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
- Yellowish or whitish stools and dark urine.
- General malaise and a lot of tiredness.
- Severe headaches.
- Dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
- Loss of appetite or sudden weight changes.
We insist on the importance that before the appearance of any of these symptoms, you put yourself in the hands of specialists. It is essential that you go to the doctor as soon as possible so that you can be easily diagnosed and put in treatment.
Foods to cleanse and regenerate the liver
There are several foods you can take for inflamed liver. These foods are, mainly, great allies to cleanse and regenerate the liver, since they contain large amounts of essential vitamins, fiber and other nutrients beneficial to your health. The diet for the inflamed liver that you should follow, has to be rich in the following foods:
- Vegetables and fruits: These antioxidant foods are essential for keeping the liver clean of toxins.
- White meats: While you should avoid red meat due to its excess fat, white meats will help you regenerate the liver.
- Infusions and teas to burn liver fat faster and keep the liver clean.
- Antioxidant foods such as broccoli or onions.
- Nuts and olive oil, as they are products very rich in vitamin E.
- Parabiotics such as yogurt, as they limit the absorption of fat in this organ.
- Bread and whole grains, as they are fat-free foods that will also help you reduce cholesterol levels.
This article on How to regenerate the liver naturally can be of great help to you.
How to Prevent Inflamed Liver
In addition to consuming the foods for the inflamed liver that we have presented in the previous section, there are many ways in which you can prevent this ailment. Here are some tips on how to prevent inflamed liver so you can take care of your health and avoid putting yourself at risk:
- Maintain a healthy and balanced diet: as we have said, a bad diet rich in fats can be very harmful to the liver. Follow the recommendations in the previous section and try to include all foods in your diet.
- Avoid tobacco and drugs and, if you drink alcohol, do it in moderation: inflamed liver manifests itself, above all, in people who tend to ingest large amounts of alcohol, drugs and other medications. Avoid harmful substances and do not self-medicate. In case of any ailment, put yourself in the hands of doctors so that they can recommend the most appropriate treatment.
- Do physical exercise: exercise is not only very beneficial to maintain a healthy weight, but it is a great ally to improve liver health. A little daily exercise will make you feel good both physically and mentally. This article on How to feel like exercising will reveal some very useful tricks for you to exercise constantly.
- Get vaccinated against the hepatitis virus, as it is the only way you will be able to keep this disease away.
- Avoid, whenever you can, contact with harmful substances such as cleaners with toxic chemicals. When you can't avoid being around these substances, don't forget to wear gloves and masks.
From, we hope to have helped you discover not only what the liver is and what functions it has, but also how to reduce inflammation of the liver through tips and foods for the cleansing and regeneration of this organ.
