Love your liver and live longer

Did you know that among the common causes of premature death (cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer) comes liver failure? In the UK liver failure accounts for over 4,000 deaths a year - that's more than road traffic accidents - and costs the English NHS £1.7 billion a year. In the US obesity, the first most preventable cause of premature death, has become a major driver of what's called: "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease".

The Liver is very important for health since:

• it breaks down and eliminate toxins, and excess hormones: therefore when its function is compromised toxins remain in the system causing problems such as inflammation, infections, food allergies and sensitivities. Also, all kinds of hormonal imbalances can occur from pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) to acne.
  
• it balances blood sugar levels: when our blood sugar levels are high (for example, just after consuming sugary foods and drinks), the hormone insulin triggers the liver to store the excess sugar as glycogen. When blood sugar levels fall the liver releases the glycogen to be broken down into glucose. If the liver fails to do this the result is: chronic fatigue, sugar cravings, weight gain and, ultimately, diabetes.
  
• it produces bile: this is a vital substance that helps digestion by breaking down fat and removing excess cholesterol. Without it cholesterol levels rise and many digestive disorders can result, including bloating, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), nausea, food allergies and malabsorption of nutrients, especially the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
  
• it stores nutrients: your liver stores many essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, copper, vitamins A, B12, D, E and K.

What causes problems your liver?

• Alcohol consumption;
• Being overweight and/or diabetic: these promote and are in part caused by insulin resistance, which means you cannot keep your blood sugar levels even. Therefore, since sugar cannot get into the cells as it should blood sugar levels remain dangerously high. The excess sugar is then converted into fat, mainly in the liver;
• Viral hepatitis: This infection damages the liver directly;
• Drugs: as little as 10 paracetamols can kill you!
• Gut problems: there's a direct link between gut health and liver health.

How can you keep your liver healthy?

• Don't have more than one unit of alcohol a day (eg small glass of wine), and preferably not every day;
• Drink plenty of water;
• Eats lots of antioxidant rich fruit and vegetables;
• Eats onions, garlic and eggs - high in sulphur which is vital for liver function;
• Limit sugar and refined carbohydrates;
• Give yourself an annual Detox.

I hope this has helped some of you in explaining why nutrition and supplementation is so important to health. For any questions write to me and remember to check these high quality nutrition products out at: www.nutritionals4health.usana.com. In particular the "Hepasil" is specifically indicated to protect your liver.

Yours

Jessica