Your liver is a life-sustaining organ that deals with a lot of toxins, which is why if you have liver disease, it’s important to know how to support natural healing and repair.
By following a non-invasive path, you won't overburden your liver a heftier chemical workload.
What Causes Liver Disease?
Liver disease is caused by acute or chronic damage to the liver, which can mean infection, injury, exposure to drugs or toxic compounds, or more.
The liver is responsible for a number of vital bodily functions, and everything you consume is processed and filtered through the liver, which means that figuring out how to treat and prevent liver disease naturally is vital for your overall health and wellness.
Some conditions of the liver can include hepatitis A, B, C and cancers, and the consequences can be anything from sluggishness to life-threatening illness.
Signs of these diseases include jaundice, fatigue, digestive disorders, and more. These following seven tips for how to treat and prevent liver disease could save your life (no pills or treatment required) while ensuring your day-to-day is as comfortable and healthy as possible.
1. Zinc
Zinc is a crucial part of normal liver function, and it also play an important role in multiple aspects of the immune system. Zinc has been shown by multiple studies to improve the symptoms of hepatitis C, digestive issues, improve weight loss, and reduce hair loss.
Zinc foods are a potent antioxidant, which is so beneficial for immune function and that is necessary for healing hepatitis C virus. Zinc is also necessary for sexual development, reproduction, healthy eyes, and supporting liver function.
There’s no denying that zinc foods are important to consume every day, even if you’re not necessarily looking for how to treat and prevent liver disease.
Foods Rich in Zinc to Eat:
- Black-eyed peas
- Soybeans
- Lima beans
- Mushrooms
- Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds
- Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables
- Kelp
- Organic, non-GMO whole grains
2. Probiotics
Probiotics are crucial for gut health, but research shows that they also help support the liver at the same time. This is because the beneficial bacteria in the gut promotes the health of the liver, allowing it to function properly.
Probiotics also improve the immune system’s defences, helping it to clear off the overgrowth of pathogens that lead to disease. However, if there are too many unhealthy bacteria in the intestines, this can seriously impact the liver.
Probiotic-Rich Foods to Eat:
- Organic yogurt
- Kefir
- Organic plant-based rennet white cheeses like Bluebay, Nimbin, Cabot and Tillamook (they have vegetable enzymes)
- Sauerkraut
- Garlic-stuffed olives
- Any other saline fermented vegetables, including dill pickles
- Kombucha
Learn more: Probiotics: Health Benefits & 7 Powerful Food Sources.
3. Black Seed Oil
Black seed oil is a dense oil extracted from the seeds of the Nigella sativa plant that has several health benefits, including boosting the function of the liver due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immune-stimulating effects.
Thymoquinone is a key compound in black seed oil, and it protects the liver from injury in a number of ways including scavenging free radicals and elevating glutathione levels. Research has shown that black seed oil protects the liver from liver damage, and is a key part of how to treat and prevent liver disease.
People have been using black seed oil for thousands of years for its health properties, and it can be used in a number of ways. The oil has a strong, slightly pungent taste but can be consumed raw for maximum nutrients.
You can also drizzle it over salads, mix a spoonful into tea, blend it into smoothies, and even stir some into your daily coffee. You can also use it as a cooking oil, but some find that it tastes too strong for that and prefer to mix it raw into other foods to disguise the taste.
4. Vitamin D
Sunshine is one of the 7 Principles of Health, and for good reason.
Through exposure to sunlight, your liver stores critical Vitamin D, which plays an important role in supporting many bodily functions.
Research shows that it’s common for people with chronic hepatitis C and chronic liver problems to have a vitamin D deficiency and this deficiency can affect your entire health.
Getting enough vitamin D will help enhance immune function, improve your mood and concentration, and even clear diabetes (which tends to be developed among people with hepatitis C, fatty liver etc).
Don’t be afraid of the sun, and avoid toxic sunscreens which will only worsen the problem. Gradually and sensibly, work your way up to a dark suntan by using cold pressed plant oils and exposing yourself to the morning sun for even a short time 2-3 times per week. This will ensure your liver receives enough vitamin D to function at it's best.
Tip: By setting mushrooms in the sun for 1 hour, they become infused with Vitamin D, so you should make them a part of your diet, particularly if you have liver problems.
5. Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
Hepatitis C has many negative side effects, including loss of appetite and weight loss. But it’s more important than ever to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet to ensure they’re getting the essential nutrients they need to combat the virus.
If you’re having trouble eating or you’re experiencing digestive issues, stick to small, simple meals and plain water throughout the day. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, plus healthy fats from avocados and coconut oil.
Foods that also help are sweet potatoes, bananas, ginger root, and turmeric, but you should absolutely avoid refined carbohydrates and sugars, sugary drinks, and processed foods as these will only further damage the liver.
Learn more: Essential Plant-Based Foods for Balanced Nutrition.
6. Avoid Drinking Hard Alcohol
It’s no secret that drinking alcohol is not ideal for your health, but this is especially true when it comes to how to treat and prevent liver disease.
Your liver is responsible for processing the alcohol you drink, but too much alcohol can affect normal liver function and over time it can destroy liver cells, cause inflammation or even permanent scarring.
In particular, you should avoid spirits, distilled alcohol and beer and wine that is laced with chemicals and preservatives.
Organic preservative-free wines and naturally brewed, chemical and additive-free beers (in moderation), can actually be useful as they deliver natural ferments into the gut, as well as helpful antioxidants to fight free radicals.
Just be cautious of hard alcohol as it can further damage the liver and worsen existing liver conditions.
7. Engage in Gentle Physical Activity
Gentle exercise throughout the week can help you to relieve some hepatitis C symptoms, like tiredness and low energy. Some great forms of gentle exercise include yoga and especially a walk outside in fresh air can be beneficial by helping to boost energy levels and raising your vitamin D levels too.
The best part about all of these exercises is that they not only work your body, but they benefit your mind and emotions as well. This can be extremely important when you’re struggling with hepatitis B or C symptoms and associated health issues.
Learn more: Top Low Impact Exercises for Health & Wellness.
Try the Colloidal Silver with Fulvic acid for an added defense against infection and disease, while reducing inflammation and promoting faster healing. Organic cold-pressed CBD oil can also help reduce aches and pains that you might be experiencing.
When it comes to how to treat and prevent liver disease, the key is leading a healthy, balanced lifestyle with plenty of plant-based whole foods, sunshine, water (with lemon juice daily), fresh air, and regular exercise. The foods we eat and nature’s gifts are all the medicine and supplements we need to lead a healthy, thriving lifestyle.
Tolman Self Care.
