Health
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7 mistakes to avoid for a healthy liver
The liver is the second largest organ in the body. It is responsible for cleansing the blood, regulating the supply of energy, vitamins, and minerals, manufacturing essential proteins, regulating hormones and cholesterol, and producing bile. Given its vital role in the body, it is important to take good care of the liver. However, people often end up making some errors while doing so. Seven common mistakes to avoid while maintaining liver health include: Making the wrong nutritional choices High levels of fat and cholesterol in the blood (hyperlipidaemia and hypercholesterolaemia, respectively) are the culprits behind the fatty liver disease. This could be a result of over-indulging in certain foods containing unhealthy fats (saturated fats, trans fats, and hydrogenated fats), sugars, processed foods, and refined grains. It is best to avoid these. Instead, opt for well-balanced meals containing complex carbohydrates or whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and “good fats,” such as those found in nuts, seeds, and fish. Some foods that help bolster liver health and function include avocados, garlic, green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, turmeric, beetroot, green tea, olive oil, walnuts, salmon, apples, grapefruit, and lemons. Adding herbs such as chicory roots, peppermint, milk thistle seeds, and dandelion roots to one’s meals could also positively affect the liver.