Inflammation Can Harm Your Liver

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Inflammation Can Harm Your Liver

Liver conditions are an epidemic. Fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver are a significant health problem for people in most parts of the world. These conditions can range from being fairly mild to being life threatening. Did you know that the level of inflammation you have in your body influences the severity of a liver disease? This is especially the case for cirrhosis of the liver.

Cirrhosis occurs as a result of long term damage to the liver. Eventually scar tissue replaces normal healthy liver cells, leaving the liver unable to carry out its functions. The liver becomes unable to cleanse and filter the bloodstream adequately; hence waste products accumulate and adversely affect other parts of the body. When waste products reach the brain, they disrupt normal mental function and nerve function; this is referred to as hepatic encephalopathy. Patients with cirrhosis of the liver also commonly experience a disruption to the heart’s normal rhythm.

Researchers from the University College London Medical School decided to measure the level of cytokines in the bloodstream of cirrhosis patients. Cytokines are inflammatory molecules. They are released by immune cells, fat cells and some other cells of the body in response to tissue damage. The study recruited 80 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and 11 healthy people with no liver disease. The participants were assessed for the presence of hepatic encephalopathy through various cognitive tests and a brain scan (electroencephalogram). They were also checked for any heart abnormalities with an electrocardiogram. Lastly the researchers measured the levels of cytokines in the participants’ bloodstream; one of them being the inflammatory chemical interleukin-6.

In their studies, the scientists discovered that higher blood levels of cytokines (particularly interleukin-6) are strongly associated with a worsening of both mental and cardiac function in people with cirrhosis of the liver. All cirrhosis patients have elevated levels of inflammatory chemicals compared to healthy people. As cytokine levels rise, the complications of cirrhosis increase.

Things that raise inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s response to infection, injury or allergies. Acute inflammation occurs as a result of conditions such as a sprained ankle or a blister; however inflammation can also occur in a subtle, chronic form. Several factors promote inflammation in the body, these include:

Allergies
Type 2 diabetes
Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity
Deficiency of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in the diet
Stress
Exposure to environmental pollution
A high intake of omega 6 polyunsaturated vegetable oil – such as found in sunflower oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, canola oil and soybean oil.
A deficiency of omega 3 fats – such as found in oily fish, walnuts, pecans and flaxseeds.
Smoking cigarettes
A high intake of alcohol, sugar, wheat
Infections

Tips to reduce inflammation in your body:

Try to have adequate good quality sleep. This is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory. If you have problems falling asleep, melatonin may help you. If your sleep quality is poor and you’re a light sleeper, magnesium may help you.
Exercise regularly. It triggers your body to produce anti-inflammatory compounds.
Provide your liver with the nutrients and antioxidants it needs for efficient detoxification. Life is busy and most of us don’t always get the time to prepare healthy meals with abundant vegetables. This is where Superfood powder can provide your body with what it needs in a convenient and delicious way.
The mineral selenium has an anti-inflammatory effect. Selenomune Designer Energy capsules are an excellent source of selenium and other immune boosting nutrients.
Serrapeptase is a natural enzyme that helps to clean up cellular debris in your body and may reduce the presence of scar tissue.
Keep your blood sugar in the healthy range. High blood sugar activates the immune system in a destructive way. If you have diabetes, follow the eating plan in our book Diabetes Type 2: you can Reverse it Naturally.