The liver is one of the vital organs of the body responsible for performing more than 500 primary body functions having an essential role in metabolism, elimination, and detoxification of drugs or other agents. It is one of the main target organs of various drugs including some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, anticancer drugs, etc [1].
Furthermore, the liver is responsible for these functions primarily:
- It produces bile, which helps in the detoxification of blood from drugs and other harmful substances.
- During digestion, it breaks down fats in the small intestine.
- Release and store glucose as per the body’s requirement.
- It stores iron and process hemoglobin for the use of its iron content.
- Regulating blood clotting.
- Combat against infections by removing bacteria from the bloodstream and producing immune factors.
Liver disease is one of the global health issues neglected widely. According to recent reports, it affected over 10% of the world population, massively burdening the low and middle-income countries having minimal medical resources [2]. Therefore, maintaining liver health will be impacting the overall health status and wellness of a person.
Below mentioned are some areas in which studies have shown the benefits of a healthy liver:
- Improved health status
- Weight loss
- Reduces aging process
- Increased metabolism and energy provision
- Reduces pain and aches
- Balanced hormones
- Improves the health of skin and hair
- Reduced sinus and allergy occurrences
- Strengthen immune system
- Minimum numbers of digestive complaints like gas, bloating, acidity etc.
- Fresh breath and improved oral health
The factors which could affect the health of the liver are related to unhealthy choices including:
- Consuming junk, processed and refined foods cause obesity and an increase in weight
- Decreased physical activities and idle routine
- Self-medication
- Alcohol consumption
- Consuming non-organic foods/fizzy beverages
- Exposure to environmental toxins
- High stress lives
All of these factors contribute to the potential unhealthy liver. Therefore, there is a dire need to incorporate lipotropic factors in our diet. Lipotropic factors are, by definition, substances that speed up the removal or decrease the deposition of fat in the liver through their interaction with fat metabolism. Compounds commonly employed as lipotropic agents include methionine, betaine, folic acid, and vitamin B12 [3]. Therefore, it is recommended to increase the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet by eating more foods that contain it, such as:
- Beef, liver, and chicken.
- Fish and shellfish such as trout, salmon, tuna fish, and clams.
- Fortified breakfast cereal.
- Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
- Eggs.
Therefore, it is essential to add natural food supplements or lipotropic factors in our daily routine which could not only have positive effects but possess detoxifying and protective effects on the liver.
For this, we have formulated Livgen, which is an exclusive herbal formula designed to detoxify the body from toxins. Livgen drops are aimed at children and adults suffering from liver problems and digestive disturbances.
LIVGEN combines liver-supporting herbs to help move toxins out of your system, stimulates the bile flow, and supports healthy liver function. It acts as a potential lipotropic factor due to its natural ingredients like pomegranate (Anaar dana), Liquorice (Mulethi), Gooseberry (Amla), Salt Cedar, and other herbs in its formulation.
Pomegranate fruit has a high content of polyphenols and is renowned for its antioxidant capabilities which protect the liver from toxic damage [4]. In particular, it is recognized as reducing oxidative stress and, therefore, playing a productive role in obstructing the pathogenesis of the fatty liver disease [5].
Similarly, recent studies on licorice suggest that its hepato-protective effects can reduce liver injury by enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity [6].
Gooseberry (Amla), is one of the most important medicinal and dietary plants having scientific studies which have shown it effective in preventing the toxic effects of toxic compounds like ethanol, paracetamol, heavy metals, drugs, and hepatotoxicity resulting from iron overload.
The hepatoprotective actions of Gooseberry appear to be mediated by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification process and lipid metabolism [2].
An animal-based research study on Salt cedar proves that its extracts have potential hepato-protective effects [7].
Therefore, the formulation of Livgen is strongly backed by scientific findings and is a prospective liver supplement for both children and adults increasing appetite, improving liver function and digestion.
Other than that, adapting few things as a life style will help you to have a healthy liver including:
- Drinking coffee
- Avoiding self-medication and non-prescribed use of antibiotics.
- Ensure that you are having adequate amount of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet which provide you the essential micro-nutrients and fiber.
- A balanced diet having proper ratios of meat, dairy, fat, seeds and nuts can also help in having healthy digestive system.
- Maintaining a healthy body weight decreases the chances of fatty liver diseases.
- Exercising regularly not only help you to maintain weight but it improves how your insulin works and burns triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood.
REFERENCES
- Roome, T., et al., Assessment of acute, sub-acute, chronic and genotoxicity of polyherbal formulation DCD-684 in mice. Pak J Pharm Sci, 2021. 34(4(Supplementary)): p. 1485-1498.
- Thilakchand, K.R., et al., Hepatoprotective properties of the Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis Gaertn): a review. Food Funct, 2013. 4(10): p. 1431-41.
- Murray, M.T. and J. Nowicki, 171 – Gallstones, in Textbook of Natural Medicine (Fifth Edition), J.E. Pizzorno and M.T. Murray, Editors. 2020, Churchill Livingstone: St. Louis (MO). p. 1330-1336.e2.
- Pirinççioğlu, M., et al., The protective role of pomegranate juice against carbon tetrachloride–induced oxidative stress in rats. Toxicology and industrial health, 2014. 30(10): p. 910-918.
- Ekhlasi, G., et al., Effects of Pomegranate and Orange Juice on Antioxidant Status in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2015. 85(5-6): p. 292-298.
- Jung, J.-C., et al., Hepatoprotective effect of licorice, the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer, in alcohol-induced fatty liver disease. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015. 16(1): p. 1-10.
- Komal, S., et al., Tamarix dioica (Ghaz) Protective Potential in the Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity Animal Model. 2021. 35: p. 37-43.
WEBSITE LINKS
https://www.algatech.com/why-liver-health-is-so-important/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/b12-weight-loss#deficiency-symptoms
Written By : Maha Qasim