Six Holiday Traditions That Are Kind to Your Liver

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Six Holiday Traditions That Are Kind to Your Liver

 

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nd-to-your-liver/?eml=lsnn47

 

Many holiday traditions can turn mild liver disease into a more severe illness.

By making these six healthful holiday customs your own, liver disease need not

put a cramp in your holiday style.

 

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

 

In anticipation of the 2009 holiday season, many people are getting excited

about the festivities ahead. However, those whose health requires them to be

vigilant about their lifestyle choices may be slightly less enthused.

Individuals with chronic liver disease are often in this situation – where

partaking in holiday traditions could worsen the progression of their illness.

 

A majority of our everyday choices directly impact the liver. Especially

important for those with chronic liver disease, some things can aggravate the

liver (may cause liver damage) or they can be supportive (may protect the liver

from harm). Whether managing a fatty liver, chronic hepatitis or some other type

of liver disease, at least a quarter of Americans are vulnerable to aggravating

their liver's health by making poor choices.

 

Many holiday traditions emphasize inactivity, gluttony and alcohol indulgence –

a nasty trio for anyone with liver concerns.

 

· Inactivity – Some common sedentary customs include sitting on a couch and

watching football, lounging at a dining table for hours on end or enjoying time

off by lying around in bed. Blood circulation through the liver is impeded by

large periods of inactivity; thus, being sedentary strains the liver by

increasing its workload.

 

· Gluttony – Holiday foods are known to be decadent. Whether they are loaded

with sugar, cholesterol or saturated fat, most traditional fare is lacking in

sufficient antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. Both sugary and fatty foods are

well known to cause liver inflammation, an event capable of escalating liver

disease severity.

 

· Alcohol – Being responsible about alcohol consumption often diminishes

during the holidays. Traditionally used as a social lubricant, beer, wine and

spirits dominate many holiday celebrations. While some liver diseases are

actually caused by alcohol consumption, experts agree that even the smallest bit

of alcohol can exponentially worsen any kind of liver problem.

 

To prevent this trio of choices from further scarring your liver, consider

implementing some newer, healthier traditions. Six suggestions that can help you

enjoy this holiday season without compromising your liver's health include:

 

1. Get Active – Participate in activities that are not centered on being

sedentary and eating. Some ideas include sledding, skating, walking or caroling.

Such choices will keep your blood flowing smoothly through your liver.

 

2. Eat Lean Protein – Instead of eating heavily marbled cuts of meat, opt for

white turkey meat, which is naturally low in fat. Besides sparing your blood and

liver from wading through excess fat, turkey contains vitamins B, B1, B6, zinc,

selenium and potassium – substances that promote vitality and aid in

detoxification.

 

3. Cruciferous Veggies – As long as they are not deep-fried or prepared with

heavy cream, cheese or fried onions, cruciferous vegetables help the liver

detoxify the blood. Besides their ability to neutralize toxins, cruciferous

veggies contain glucosinolates, which cause the liver to produce detoxification

enzymes. Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower

and cabbage.

 

4. Go Green – Pass on the richness of Caesar salad and opt for a vibrant

mixed salad with bitter greens. Bitter leafy greens (like dandelion, watercress,

chicory, endive and rocket) will prevent stagnation in the liver, because they

help stimulate bile flow.

 

5. Festive Fruits – Try to look past the candy bowl and pastry display in

search of an antioxidant-packed fruit salad. Some fruits have especially high

levels of antioxidants, such as berries (blue, black and red), plums, oranges,

grapefruit, cantaloupe, apples and pears. Such antioxidants will help protect

the liver from free radicals, which contribute to liver damage.

 

6. Herbal Insurance – Even after incorporating the choices listed above, some

detrimental holiday traditions may be tough to skip. In such cases, milk

thistle* can be used to give the liver an extra layer of protection against

impending damage.

 

Avoiding inactivity, gluttony and alcohol during the holidays can be tough if

you don't have another plan. Working in several of the suggestions listed above

can help you make it to the New Year without worrying about your liver. Without

stressing about your liver's health, these new healthful traditions could bring

a new level of relaxed enjoyment to your holiday season.

 

*Editor's Note: Although milk thistle can help strengthen liver cell walls to

reduce the likelihood of injury, this herb will not protect the liver from

alcohol. Experts agree that there is no safe level of alcohol ingestion for

those with liver disease.

 

Best Wishes,

Scarlet

http://www.youngliving.org/scarlet

Go green with essential oils!