I got curious, so I did a quick search and came across the official web site for the American Liver Foundation. They had a list of "50 ways to Love your Liver." Here's a partial list:
Eat for health
Since everything we eat must pass through the liver, special attention to nutrition and diet can help keep me healthy. Here are some tips on eating for health healthy liver, healthy you!
28. Eat a well balanced, nutritionally adequate diet. if you enjoy foods from each of the four food groups, you will probably obtain the nutrients you need.
29. Cut down on the amount of deep-fried and fatty foods you and your family consume. Doctors believe that the risk of gallbladder disorders (including gallstones, a liver-related disease) can be reduced by avoiding high-fat and cholesterol foods.
30. Minimize your consumption of smoked, cured and salted foods. Taste your food before adding salt! Or try alternative seasonings in your cooking such as lemon juice, onion, vinegar, garlic, pepper, mustard, cloves, sage or thyme.
MEAT, FISH, POULTRY & ALTERNATIVES PROVIDE:
protein, vitamin A, iron, vitamin B12, niacin, fiber, thiamin
BREADS AND CEREALS PROVIDE:
carbohydrates, niacin, thiamin, iron, riboflavin, fiber
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES PROVIDE:
vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, fiber, folacin
MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS PROVIDE:
calcium, riboflavin, niacin,folacin, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin D
31. Increase your intake of high-fiber foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, rice and cereals. A high-fiber diet is especially helpful in keeping me healthy.
32. Rich desserts, snacks and drinks are high in calories because of the amount of sweetening (and often fat) they contain. Why not munch on some fruit instead?
33. Keep your weight close to ideal. Medical researchers have established a direct correlation between obesity and the development of gallbladder disorders.
34. If you are dieting to lose weight, make sure that you are still getting all the vitamins and minerals your body - and I! - need to function properly
35. A regular exercise routine, two or three days a week, will help keep me healthy, too.
TROUBLE SIGNS...
Here are some signs of liver trouble. If you experience anyof these symptoms, please contact your doctor:
36. Yellow discoloration of the skin or eyes.
37. Abdominal swelling or severe abdominal pain.
38. Prolonged itching of the skin.
39. Very dark urine or pale stools-, or the passage of bloody or tar-like stools.
40. Chronic fatigue, nausea or loss of appetite.
You can check out the site at
http://www.liverfoundation.org. Seems like stuff we already kinda know. Would still like to find some other helpful tidbits...
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