Liver, can't live without it

If the liver ever stops working a person will die within 8 to 24 hours

The liver is the heaviest organ in the body and is one of the largest. It's located in the upper right part of your belly under the ribs and is responsible processing nutrients from food, making bile, removing toxins from the body and building proteins.

All together, the liver can do 500 functions - that's some multitasking! This is one powerful organ, the one organ in the body that is capable of regenerating itself.

TIPS TO HELP YOUR LIVER STAY HEALTHY

· AVOID ANY FOODS OF WHICH YOU SUSPECT YOU MAY BE INTOLERANT:
They will produce toxins in the gut that can cause stress to the detoxification mechanisms. Bacteria, viruses, too much alcohol, coffee and other caffeine-containing drinks, smoking and the medicines that have powerful effects on the liver, stomach and other parts of the body can prove toxic Chew your food well to help release the enzymes that aid digestion.

· CONSUME PLENTY OF FOODS CONTAINING:
Flavonoids, magnesium, iron, sulphate and selenium and B-vitamins 2,3,6 and 12, since toxicity in the body can be caused by deficiency of the nutrients that the liver needs for detoxification as much as by exposure to toxins. Think along the lines of salads, beans, fresh juices, stir-fries cooked in a little good-quality olive oil, nuts, seeds, yogurt . Steaming is a quick and healthy way of cooking vegetables, and the only vegetables to avoid are potatoes. Aim for a diet build on complex carbohydrates(brown rice), lean protein (beans, lentils, eggs, chicken, fish and a little lean red meat) and organic fruits & vegetables.

· CUT DOWN ON STIMULANTS:
such as tea and coffee, and depressants such as smoking & alcohol. Aim at drinking 10-13 cups of water a day.

· EAT FOODS RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS:
Which aid the natural detox mechanisms like berries (especially blueberries), beans, pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, cinnamon, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts. Nutrients that enhance our immune system areVitamin C, Vitamin E, the B-vitamins, Zinc and Magnesium. These nutrients are either potent anti-oxidants capable of stopping the free-radical cascade of tissue damage or are involved in the enzymes that help detoxify damaging chemicals.

· .DON’T USE ANTIBIOTICS OR ANTACIDS UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY:
Antibiotics can destroy the useful bacteria in the gut that eliminate toxins; antacids decrease the natural acidity that is necessary for complete digestion.

· TAKE SOME EXERCISE:
Exercise increases lymph activity within the body, causing you to sweat and generate more urine, encouraging liver activity and stimulating the gut to get rid of waste products, all of which can help to detoxify your body. Wind up the exercise routine by carrying out deep breathing to use the Lungs more fully, this will get more oxygen into the blood, remove waste products from the blood - especially carbon dioxide - more quickly; and help to speed up the circulation of the blood.

· AVOID EXCESS OF SALT & SUGAR:
Instead of excess salt use fresh herbs, pepper, chillies and lemon juice to enhance the flavor of food. Too much sugar isn't healthy for anyone but especially those with an impaired immune system.

· LAUGH, REST AND FEEL GOOD! :
One more really good way to boost your immune system and it's free: Laugh, Rest and feel good! A depressed mind can cause a depressed body. Laughter actually increases production of an antibody that is responsible for our first line of defense against bacterial infections. Laughter, lovemaking and exercise are the best medicine of all!