precious health: liver

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Ginger Root Tea for Liver Health

Brewing a cup of ginger root tea is a simple, inexpensive practice that imparts a substantial health benefit to the liver. Of particular value to those with excessive fat in the liver, ginger possesses several therapeutic qualities that can prevent or even reverse fatty liver disease.

About Ginger Root

Easy to locate in the produce section of most supermarkets in the U.S., ginger root is one of the most favored spices in the world. Grown throughout most tropical and subtropical regions, ginger is the underground root of the plant Zingiber officinale. Ginger owes its unique sweet and spicy flavor and aroma to several different essential oils:

Gingerol
Shogaol
Zingerone

Considered to be a valuable herb in several types of traditional medicines, ginger is used for:

Improving digestion
Boosting immunity
Reducing inflammation
Fighting pathogens (anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, antiviral and anti-bacterial)
Easing asthma
Aiding cardiovascular health
Stopping nausea
Relieving cold and flu symptoms

In addition, ginger root plays a valuable role in keeping the liver functioning optimally.

About Liver Health

The liver is an extremely underrated organ. We cannot live without our liver. The liver performs hundreds of vital functions, with some of the most important including:

detoxifying (cleansing) the blood
producing hormones and other substances needed by the body
digesting and metabolizing fat, carbohydrates and protein
storing and releasing energy

Liver disease progressively damages liver cells, which impedes all of these functions. Even if a person does not have liver disease, exposure to harmful toxins or excessive fat accumulation can injure liver cells. A healthy liver can typically regenerate new cells to replace damaged ones. However, damage from continual toxin or fat exposure can outpace the liver’s ability to regenerate – and liver scarring (fibrosis) can result.

Ginger Supports Liver Health

A daily cup of ginger root tea offers liver health benefits. Ginger’s spicy taste is indicative of its thermogenic properties, which improve blood circulation and the delivery of oxygen, minerals and vitamins to all cells in the body. In addition, ginger root naturally has a high antioxidant content, which reduces cellular damage.

Liver Fibrosis – According to a study published in the June 2011 issue of the journal Nutrition and Metabolism, ginger may protect against liver fibrosis. Researchers tested several extracts of ginger and found that all extracts increased levels of antioxidant enzymes used by the liver, including glutathione and superoxide dismutase. Thus, ginger has the capability to protect liver cells against damage by free radicals.
Fatty Liver – According to a study published in the January 2011 edition of the World Journal of Gastroenterology, ginger may protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A condition that affects an estimated 33 percent of American adults, NAFLD is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. The researchers believe that ginger may help prevent or treat this liver condition by reducing oxidative stress on the liver, decreasing insulin resistance and inhibiting inflammation – all contributing factors to NAFLD.
Fatty Liver – According to a study published in a March 2016 edition of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, ginger essential oils can reduce levels of fat accumulation in the liver. In an animal model, researchers found that administering ginger essential oils significantly reduced levels of fat accumulation in the liver. The researchers suggest that ginger essential oils are an effective dietary supplement to ameliorate NAFLD.

More About Ginger Root Tea

Brewing ginger root tea can be done in 3 simple steps:

Peel and slice three to six slices of fresh ginger.
Simmer ginger slices in two cups of water for approximately five to ten minutes.
Strain and add honey to taste (if desired).

Although ginger root is considered extremely safe, it is not for everyone. Certain sensitive individuals may experience side effects such as heartburn, diarrhea and mouth irritation. In addition, those with a bleeding disorder or anyone taking blood thinners, diabetes medications or high blood pressure medications are advised to discuss daily ginger tea consumption with their physician.

Besides reducing inflammation in the body, stimulating digestion, aiding blood flow and boosting immunity, ginger protects the liver from scarring and fat accumulation. Thus, for a relatively low cost and minimal effort, incorporating ginger root tea into your routine can help improve overall health and promote optimal liver function.

The Effects of Smoking on the Liver

Most people are well aware of effects of smoking on the heart and lungs. However, what you may not know is that smoking cigarettes can also severely affect your liver. The numerous toxins found in cigarette tobacco lead to chronic inflammation and scarring in the liver, which in turn, increases your risk for liver damage including diseases such as Hepatitis B and C, liver cancer and liver fibrosis. Additionally, smoking affects the way your liver processes alcohol and medications, which can increase your risk for alcoholism as well as your overall drug and alcohol tolerance levels.

How Cigarettes Hurt Your Liver

Think of your liver as your body's natural filter. It's the liver's responsibility to prevent harmful toxins from entering the bloodstream. In addition, your liver helps your body metabolize sugars and carbohydrates, and regulates the flow of bile, the substance that aids in the digestion process. Humans cannot survive without a liver and when the organ is agitated, the body's immune system weakens and becomes more susceptible to disease and infection. Additionally, N-Nitrosodiethylamine, one of the many chemicals found in cigarettes, can cause liver tumors. Another chemical, N-Nitrosopyrrolidine, is proven to contribute to liver cancer. Arsenic, another ingredient found in the smoke you inhale, is also known to increase your risk of developing liver cancer.

Why You Crave Nicotine

Oddly enough, your liver is also partly responsible for your nicotine addiction. When you inhale smoke, your liver produces enzymes that help your body clear out the toxins through your urine. One particular enzyme is specifically responsible for filtering out nicotine. Therefore, as your liver produces more and more of this enzyme, the nicotine leaves your body much faster. Remember that nicotine is the most addictive ingredient found in smoke and is therefore responsible for most smokers' craving for cigarettes. With each cigarette you smoke, your body produces more of this enzyme and the nicotine leaves your system. This means that, as you smoke more cigarettes, more enzymes are created and nicotine leaves your body more quickly. While this fact seems beneficial, it actually contributes to your addiction--because the nicotine is leaving so quickly, your body demands more, which leads to that overwhelming sensation to smoke. Fortunately, studies reveal that by quitting smoking, you drastically reduce your health risks and after 15 years of not smoking, your body will be in the same condition as that of a nonsmoker. This, of course, is if your body is not already damaged. So if you've smoked for a long time, now may be the time to quit...before it's too late.

What Are the Benefits of Drinking Lemon Juice in the Morning?

Lemons have long been a popular ingredient in cooking, flavoring for sweets, and in drinks such as lemonade. Aside from this, regularly drinking lemon juice in the mornings can provide a whole range of health benefits.

Liver Detoxification

Drinking lemon juice regularly each morning helps to cleanse the liver. It does this by stimulating it to produce bile, which helps to break down food efficiently. By drinking it first thing in the morning, it prepares the liver for digestion throughout the day. It also helps to break down gallstones, which are made from calcified bile.

Better Digestion

In spite of its acidic content, if the juice of the lemon is diluted with hot water it helps to ease digestion and can relieve the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion. By combining with ginger, it can reduce gas and bloating. Lemon juice also can ease constipation.

Healthy Skin

Lemon is a natural antiseptic, therefore drinking it daily can help to remove blackheads and other forms of acne. Its high antioxidant level means it helps to prevent wrinkles from forming, as well. Wrinkles are caused by free radicals, which can damage otherwise healthy cells. Antioxidants destroy the free radicals responsible for this.

Weight Loss

Drinking lemon juice on an empty stomach first thing in the morning can help people who are trying to lose weight. By flushing out toxins and keeping the liver healthy and clean, it speeds up the metabolic rate of the body. This means that the liver metabolizes fat more efficiently, and the body burns fat faster causing weight loss.

Cold and Flu Prevention

Lemon juice contains vitamin C, an important antioxidant known to aid the prevention of infections, colds and flu. Vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron, which is essential to maintaining a healthy immune system, as it helps to form red blood cells and muscle protein. Another important property of vitamin C is that it destroys free radicals in the blood, which can cause inflammation and cell damage. Drinking lemon juice regularly helps to prevent these ailments.