The liver is the largest internal organ in the body and is tasked with several important duties. It works to remove toxins, such as alcohol, from the bloodstream, regulates blood clotting, and aids with bile production. Much like most other organs and systems in the body, the liver is prone to damage based on certain lifestyle habits. The more damaged the liver is, the worse it functions. 

It’s estimated that liver disease affects 4.5 million adults in the United States. Liver disease is a broad term that encompasses different conditions, which impair healthy liver function. Liver conditions include liver cancer, hepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Sometimes, symptoms of an impaired liver happen immediately, but they can also take time to show up. Additionally, they usually don’t show up until there is significant liver damage. 

How do you know when something is wrong with the liver? How do you know what to do to address the problem? Hepatologists want you to know about the five most important warning signs of liver disease, and what to do if you notice them. 

Dark Urine, Even If You Are Hydrated

Usually, dark urine indicates dehydration, and it is quite common to see in the morning or after long periods without fluids. Dark urine is also typical for people with liver conditions. This is due to the buildup of bilirubin, which causes urine to appear dark orange, brown, or amber in color. If you regularly hydrate and still notice issues with urine color, something else is likely afoot, so consult your healthcare provider to determine the cause. 

Swelling In The Legs, Ankles, Or Abdomen

Swelling may not be the first thing you associate with the liver, but swelling in the legs and feet may indicate a problem in the body. This is especially true when you have cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. Cirrhosis basically slows the flow of blood through the liver and increases pressure in the vein that delivers blood to it. The pressure in the portal vein, as it is called, can lead to fluid buildup in the legs and abdomen. The swelling may also occur if the liver cannot produce enough of certain blood proteins, such as albumin. 

Yellowing Of The Skin Or Eyes

Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, can be a subtle sign of liver disease. Jaundice occurs when there is excess bilirubin, which is a pigment created during the breakdown of red blood cells. The liver typically processes bilirubin and removes it from the body, but too much can cause jaundice and other liver issues. High levels of bilirubin, however, are not always a concern for adults, which is why it is crucial to speak with your healthcare provider if you notice jaundice. 

You Bleed Or Bruise Easily

It is possible for people with liver damage to bruise or bleed easily when injured. The reason this happens is because the liver produces proteins necessary for blood clotting. If the liver is not functioning optimally, then you are at greater risk of bleeding or bruising easily.

Confusion

It is perfectly normal to forget things from time to time. You walk out of the house without your lunch after just packing it, or you can’t find your sunglasses, which you put on your head. You should not ignore major changes in your mental state, though, as they may indicate liver problems or other underlying issues. A person who is generally healthy can develop acute liver failure, which can manifest in mental changes or disorientation, even personality changes. 

What To Do If You Think You Have Liver Damage

Do not dismiss liver issues, so do not dismiss these symptoms if you notice them. It is common for people to experience liver problems if they have type 2 diabetes, drink alcohol heavily or moderately, or share needles. It is also common to experience liver problems if there is a family history of liver disease. Discuss any liver damage symptoms with your doctor to determine the right course of action. Stool changes, appetite changes, and exhaustion are also symptoms of liver problems.

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The liver may not be the body’s largest organ, but it is one of the most important ones, making it paramount to keep it as healthy as possible. The American Liver Foundation conducted a study that concluded that 100 million U.S. citizens had some form of liver disease. An estimated 1.8% of the population has been diagnosed with liver disease. An additional 80-100 million adults had a fatty liver, but were unaware of their condition. 

What do those liver statistics have to do with yoga? Well, different yoga asanas can benefit the liver in myriad ways, stretching it or allowing more oxygen flow to the organ. Continue reading to learn how these yoga asanas benefit the liver and how to do them correctly. 

Ardha Matsyendrasana

Also known as King of the Fish pose, this is thought to benefit a damaged liver. By putting pressure on the liver, this pose helps to strengthen and stimulate a liver that suffers from apoptosis, fibrosis, inflammation, and stress. If you are currently undergoing a medical intervention for your liver, consider avoiding this pose so that you don’t put unnecessary stress on the liver. 

To do the pose, sit down on the floor with your legs extended out in front of you. Bend your right leg at the knee and bring your foot back toward your left buttocks. Bend your left leg to raise your knee and then step your left foot over your right knee, placing it on the floor. Twist to your left, crossing your right arm over the outside of your left thigh. Maintain this posture for 30 seconds, breathing deeply throughout, before returning to the center. Repeat on the other side. 

Gomukhasana

The more common name for this pose is Cow Face pose, which is great for correcting poor posture. It is also a great pose if you have fatty liver or cirrhosis. If you have liver cirrhosis, blood flow and oxygenation is prevented by scar tissue. The liver can no longer remove toxins or pathogenic bacteria, nor can it metabolize fats. Practicing this pose can help stimulate the liver, which promotes oxygenation and blood flow to the organ. 

Sit on a chair and ground both of your feet. Lift your right arm up towards the ceiling and bend at the elbow to bring your hand between your shoulder blades. Bring your left arm by your left side, bend at the elbow, and reach your left hand towards your right hand between your shoulder blades. Try to clasp your hands, but do not force yourself to experience discomfort. You can use a towel to bridge the gap if needed. Hold this pose for 30 seconds and then switch sides to repeat.

Kapalbhati Pranayama

Pranayama is a type of breathing exercise that helps to boost the health of the liver, especially in those with cirrhosis, jaundice, or hepatitis. Kapalbhati pranayama, or Yoga Skull Shining Breathing Exercise, works to stimulate the liver and aid the functionality of the spleen. 

This breathing exercise works best when you sit up straight in a cross-legged position, ideally on an even surface. The goal of this breathing exercise is to inhale deeply and breathe out with force through your nostrils every time. Your main focus should be on exhalation, forcing all of your air out with each exhale. Isolate your abdominals for this breathing exercise to expel that air. For this to be effective, practice for at least 15 minutes daily. 

Dhanurasana 

Also known as Bow pose, this asana is beneficial for people who suffer from fatty liver disease. It works to stretch, strengthen, and stimulate the liver, helping the body use the fat deposits in it as a source of energy. 

Lie facedown on your mat with your arms by your sides. Take a few breaths in this position before lifting your arms and legs off the mat, engaging your glutes and lower back muscles. Bend your right leg toward your right hand and grab the outside of your shin. Do the same with your left leg. Lift your chest and arch up like a bow. Hold for three deep breaths and then relax. Repeat two more times.

Naukasana

Naukasana, or Boat pose, is an effective asana to help strengthen your core. It also works to stimulate and strengthen the liver, allowing it to clean the harmful toxins from the body. Practicing it regularly can aid liver function. 

Start by sitting up straight with your legs extended straight out in front of you. Bend your knees so that the soles of your feet are planted on the ground. Lean back slowly and simultaneously extend your feet up, creating a “V” shape between your torso and thighs. You can have your shins remain parallel to the ground. Reach your arms past your thighs and keep your back straight. Hold this pose for 30 seconds before returning to the starting position.

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It’s no secret that new weight loss drugs are highly sought after in the United States. The reason for that is because they are highly effective, so long as you continue using them. Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, and other similar medications work by recreating the effects of GLP-1, a hormone that the gut produces once you finish eating. This hormone reduces both hunger and cravings, helping you to eat less, which promotes weight loss. 

What happens when you stop taking these medications, though? Recent research suggests that you can regain weight once you stop taking them. Health experts have started to refer to this weight gain as “Mounjaro plateau” or “Ozempic rebound.”

Why Do People Stop Using These Medications?

People stop taking these medications for numerous reasons, with a common one being the high cost, which is especially true for people without health insurance. Even if you have health insurance, many providers don’t offer coverage for these drugs. There is a huge demand, supply issues, and many unwanted side effects that come from using these medications. In fact, clinical trials found that up to 10% of users stop using these medications because of side effects, including nausea and disruptive bowel movements. 

It’s possible that the number of people who stop using these medications is higher than that 10% figure. Patients may have less aftercare, support, and accountability than they do in clinical trials. That means there is most likely a higher percentage of people who experience unwanted side effects, which could be easily managed. Doctors also state that people stop using these medications once they meet their goal weight. 

Why Do You Gain Weight Post-Medication?

Ozempic, and other related drugs, were originally intended to help people with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar levels. During clinical trials, researchers observed weight loss to be a surprising side effect. That got them thinking, so they started to prescribe these medications for weight loss (an off-label purpose). 

In present day, many people with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or fatty liver disease, have been struggling to lose weight for 20 to 30 years. Drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy help people lose weight by temporarily altering hunger mechanisms. Basically, they provide a synthetic form of GLP-1, which is the hormone that helps you feel satiated and less hungry. At the same time, these drugs also promote an increase in insulin response to food, which works to regulate blood sugar. They also reduce the release of glucagon, a hormone that opposes insulin and tends to increase blood glucose levels. 

When you stop taking these medications, the body naturally produces more ghrelin, the hunger hormone. Once off the medications, the body’s metabolic rate slows down. The combination of a slower metabolic rate and a rapid onset of hunger causes weight gain, especially if there is no modification in lifestyle or diet. 

How Common Is Weight Gain After Stopping Ozempic?

If you use Ozempic to lose weight, the last thing you want is to see the weight return once you stop taking the drug. As it turns out, it is very common for a person to gain weight after quitting Ozempic or similar medication. One study found that people who stopped taking semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) and quit lifestyle interventions gained two-thirds of their weight back within a year. Another study monitored people who stopped taking tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound and Mounjaro. Within one year of quitting the drug, they gained more than half the weight they’d lost while on the drug. 

The Takeaway

Before you take any GLP-1 agonist (such as Ozempic), consult your healthcare professional and make sure you understand the risks. Are you using the drug for short-term or long-term results? If you decide to take Ozempic, make sure you understand what will happen once you stop. Your healthcare professional may be able to provide guidance, nutritional advice, and an exercise regimen to help stave off the weight you lost while on the drug.

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Second only to the skin, the liver is the largest organ in the human body. It has quite a few responsibilities, some of which are more well-known than others. Some of the liver’s primary jobs include filtering the body’s blood, storing energy, and processing nutrients. Due to the liver’s many responsibilities, it is highly vulnerable to scarring (cirrhosis) and complete failure, which can lead to cancer. 

Although most people associate liver damage with alcohol abuse or misuse, other factors can play a role. In this article, we aim to highlight the various health conditions, drugs, and lifestyle habits that can damage your liver. 

Health Conditions That Damage The Liver

Various health conditions, one of the more notable ones being hepatitis, can directly damage the liver, or increase the risk of liver complications. Some of the primary health conditions include genetic diseases, obesity, and certain autoimmune disorders. 

Hepatitis

Chronic hepatitis B and C are the root cause of most liver cancer cases worldwide. Hepatitis C is the more common cause in the United States, while hepatitis B is less common because of vaccine availability. Hepatitis C is spread via contact with infected blood, e.g. sharing needles, unprotected sex, and (rarely) blood transfusions. Chronic hepatitis C is a silent killer because most people don’t know they have it. If left untreated, the condition can cause liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, and even death. 

Autoimmune Disorders

There are certain autoimmune disorders that can harm the liver. Autoimmune hepatitis is characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking the liver. Medical experts don’t fully understand why the body turns on itself, but genetic factors may play a role. This disease usually affects people assigned female at birth, and it is more common in people with existing autoimmune disorders. Even people with autoimmune diseases can keep things under control and live a normal life if they have the right treatment and lifestyle habits. 

Lifestyle Factors That Damage The Liver

When it comes to genetics and autoimmune disorders, you may not have complete control of your risk of liver damage. What you do have control over, however, is how you live your life. Certain lifestyle habits, including the medications you take, the foods you eat, and exercise you do or don’t do, can influence liver health. 

Alcohol

Alcohol remains a major cause of cirrhosis and other forms of liver disease. Roughly 10-15% of heavy drinkers will develop liver scarring, but those with liver damage should abstain from alcohol. Drinking in moderation, or not at all, goes a long way in keeping the liver healthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend no more than one alcoholic beverage a day for women and no more than two for men. One drink is considered to be 12 ounces of beer or five ounces of wine. 

Sugary Beverages And Sodas

Popular in the Standard American Diet, sugary beverages and sodas can cause weight gain and liver damage. A 2015 study found that people who drank one or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day had increased markers of fatty liver disease than those who didn’t drink any sugary drinks. That isn’t to say that diet drinks are healthier; rather, it highlights that sugary beverages do more damage than you think. Additional research found that people who consumed two sugary drinks a day for six months showed signs of fatty liver disease. 

Smoking

Yet another reason to quit, smoking can increase the risk of liver cancer and cirrhosis. According to a 2013 study, smoking was linked to an increased risk of liver cirrhosis independent of alcohol intake. Additionally, the toxins in cigarettes can cause inflammation, which can eventually lead to cirrhosis. If you have hepatitis B or C and you smoke, the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma increases drastically. 

Medications That Damage The Liver

If you have ever read the “Directions” section on certain cold and flu medications, you know not to take too much. Some ingredients, like acetaminophen, in these medications can be harmful in high doses. There are many other medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, that can damage the liver. 

Acetaminophen 

Acetaminophen exists in many medications, including DayQuil and NyQuil, Tylenol, and prescription medications like Vicodin or Percocet. In high doses, acetaminophen can cause liver failure and even death. Never take more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen, or any medication for that matter. Acetaminophen is a common ingredient in over-the-counter cold and flu medications, so always check the ingredient labels and directions to ensure that you don’t exceed the recommended dose.

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The liver is a vital organ in the body that is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates, primarily glucose, and detoxing the body. It works to clean the blood of potential toxins and harmful pathogens, synthesize proteins, process hemoglobin, and aid with digestion. It also helps to store energy, create bile, and break down byproducts of metabolism. Needless to say, if the liver doesn’t function optimally, your overall health suffers.

The liver may be one of the hardest working organs in the body. It’s easy to make the liver’s duties more difficult by eating unhealthy foods and maintaining poor lifestyle habits. Too many processed foods, animal proteins, refined sugars, alcoholic beverages, and saturated fats can harm the liver. Additionally, lack of exercise or regular exposure to pesticides and airborne pollutants can detract from optimal liver health.  

Fortunately, there are many foods that can encourage a healthier liver. Some of the best ones are detailed below. 

Grapefruit

Grapefruit contains a plethora of beneficial plant compounds, but the two antioxidants that benefit the liver are naringenin and naringin. These protective compounds may work to lower inflammation and keep cells healthy. Several studies found that these antioxidants may help reduce the development of hepatic fibrosis, which causes connective tissue build-up in the liver. More animal studies found that naringenin increased the amount of enzymes necessary for fat burning. This helped to ward off fat accumulation in the liver. 

Carrots

Carrots are commonly associated with with eye health, but it turns out that these tasty root vegetables are great for your liver. The plant flavonoids and beta-carotene in carrots work to stimulate overall liver function and performance. The liver converts the beta-carotene into vitamin A, which may decrease the risk of liver disease. 

Prickly Pear

Prickly pear is an edible fruit that grows on a popular type of cactus. The fruit and juice are commonly consumed to help reduce fatigue, liver disease, and ulcers. An animal study observed mice that consumed prickly pear extract along with a pesticide that is harmful to the liver. The prickly pear extract worked to normalize enzyme and cholesterol levels in this study and similar studies. A different human study monitored 55 people who consumed prickly pear extract after a hangover. The extract helped to reduce nausea, dry mouth, and lessened other symptoms of the hangover. 

Leafy Greens

It’s always a good idea to include more leafy greens in your diet. In addition to packing a diverse mix of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, leafy greens contain a lot of chlorophyll. This works to reduce the toxic load on the liver by counteracting the toxins during the digestive process. If you consume bitter greens like arugula, kale, dandelion greens, or endives, you’ll help the liver produce more bile. 

Apples

Apples offer fiber, they are low calories, and high levels of pectin, which is a chemical compound that works to aid the body’s natural cleansing process. Pectin helps the the body release toxins from the digestive tract, which has a positive effect on the liver. Apples may also help manage the amount of toxins that the liver has to filter.

Oats

Just like apples, oats contain a lot of beneficial fiber that helps move waste through the digestive tract. Oats contain beta-glucans, which are specific fiber compounds that benefit the liver. According to a 2017 study, beta-glucans have a lot of biological activity in the body. They may help to fight against obesity, diabetes, and inflammation, all the while aiding immune function. One animal study concluded that beta-glucans from oats helped decrease the amount of fat on mice livers. More human research is necessary, though. 

Avocados

Avocados are known for their monounsaturated fats, specifically the omega-3 fatty acids. The healthy fats and other micronutrients in avocados work to encourage glutathione production. Glutathione actually helps the liver remove environmental pollutants, toxins produced by stress, and heavy metals from the body. 

Beets

Are you familiar with oxidative stress? This is the imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body. It’s your job to consume antioxidant-rich foods to fight oxidative stress, which can increase the risk of cancer and inflammation. Beets are naturally rich in antioxidants like beta-carotene that work to enhance liver production and fight oxidative stress. They also contain betaine, which helps liver cells release toxins.

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As one of the leading causes of chronic liver injury, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects about 20 to 40 percent of American population. Even though this condition is quite common, most people don’t realize that they have fatty liver disease because they often minimal or no symptoms. The only way to discover it is to have testing done, e.g. an ultrasound or CT scan.

What Is Fatty Liver Disease?

There is a strong link between fatty liver disease and other pathological conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or obesity. There are two types of fatty liver disease: non-alcoholic and alcoholic. Both are often associated with fatigue or slight pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen. Fatty liver disease is the result of extra fat that has accumulated in the liver. While it is normal for the liver to contain some fat, a person with fat buildup of 5 to 15 percent of the liver’s total weight is considered to have fatty liver disease. The amount of fat in the liver will determine the severity of the disease and whether or not someone experiences symptoms.

Non-alcoholic Vs. Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Whether someone consumes alcohol or not, fat can slowly start to build up in the liver. The only difference between non-alcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver disease is that the buildup of fat in the liver in a non-alcoholic case is not the result of alcohol consumption. How the fat accumulates, however, is not dissimilar to how fat accumulates in alcoholic fatty liver disease. The regular consumption of large amounts of alcohol is directly linked to increased fat buildup in the liver.

There are currently two primary categories for naturally remedying fatty liver disease: pharmaceutical therapies and lifestyle interventions (e.g. physical exercise, dietary modification, and weight reduction). Recent studies have emerged about the benefits of lifestyle interventions for people with fatty liver disease. Five great dietary tips are listed below.

Foods To Avoid

There are certain foods you should avoid when trying to improve the health of your liver. Alcohol is the number one thing you should avoid, especially if you have alcoholic fatty liver disease. It is integral to avoid excess caffeine, packaged foods, refined sugars, artificial ingredients, refined grains, uncooked shellfish, certain medications, or fruits/vegetables that are sprayed with herbicides and pesticides. The National Institute of Health also provides a database, which details whether or not any medication, supplement, food or herb may be linked to improper liver function.

Milk Thistle

Within the past ten years, researchers have published over 10,000 papers on the anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive, and antioxidant effects of silybin and silymarin, derivatives of the milk thistle plant. Consumption of milk thistle has also been linked to the production of enzymes, which help the liver eliminate toxins. Additionally, the antioxidant effects of milk thistle may reduce oxidative stress and modulate metabolic pathways.

Foods That Boost Liver Function

It is wise to consume lots of plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, primarily because many of these foods work to boost liver health. Many liver-boosting foods have been known to decrease inflammation, while aiding the body with insulin production, a common problem for those with fatty liver disease. Great foods to boost your liver include artichokes, bitter leafy greens (mustard greens, arugula, & dandelion greens), green tea, avocados, flaxseeds, walnuts, chia seeds, and foods that are rich in vitamin E.

Cleanse Your Body

Sometimes you need to hit the reset button, especially when you consider that we are frequently exposed to toxins, pollutants, and harmful chemicals that can damage the human body. Exposure to industrial chemicals, preservatives, pesticides, and certain medications can impair liver function and contribute to fatty liver disease. You can try the Dherbs Full Body Cleanse and then follow it up with our 10-day Liver Cleanse to address the condition.

Garlic

The use of garlic as an herbal remedy dates back 6,000 years to various civilizations in Asia, the Mediterranean, and Egypt. Recent studies, however, have found that raw garlic works to improve insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, and helps to fight oxidative stress. The enzymes in garlic may even possess liver regenerative abilities, but more research needs to be done on that matter. As for now, garlic is a beneficial food to include in your diet if you suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

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