Foods To Support Your liver

Liver is an important organ of the body that performs multiple functions for it. It helps in digestion by secretion of certain juices required for proper digestion. At the same time, liver is also responsible for excretion or removal of waste materials from the blood so as to purify it completely. It helps in production of plasma proteins, management of the blood clotting, storage of iron, and in controlling the level of amino acids in the blood. Even liver has an important role to play in improving overall body immunity due to release of certain factors in the body.
Liver also aids in production of cholesterol and detoxification of the body. Due to malfunctioning of the liver, numerous health issues crop up in the body. Almost all problems relevant to the liver arise due to intake of wrong foods and wrong lifestyle of the people. Therefore it is quite important to pay attention to our diet so as to promote good health of the liver.

It can be done by consumption of certain foods as given below.

• Water is perhaps such an important component of human diet that helps in correcting all the problems related to human body. It helps in removal of wastes, toxins and chemicals from the body in a natural way. Therefore you must drink plenty of water so as to promote normal and good health of the liver.
• Intake of dark green leafy vegetables is equally important for good health and normal functions of the liver. You must consume cabbage, sprouts, kale, Brussels etc. All these are known to detoxify the liver completely so as to remove all wastes, toxins and chemicals from it.
• Garlic is known for its medicinal properties that help in supporting normal functions of the liver as well. That is why garlic is used at large scale by people across the globe. To promote normal functions and good health of the liver, you must essentially consume garlic.

• Fruits such as berries and apples are also known to have a positive effect on the health of the liver. You may take raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries etc. so as to ensure normal liver functions.

• Seeds such as hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds are also known to have a health-beneficial effect on the liver. All these help in regulation of hormones, lowering of bad fat levels in the blood and supply apt amount of fibre to the body. This in turn results in good health of the liver naturally.

• Turmeric which is rich in curcumin compounds also aids in liver detoxification and its normal functions.

• People who wish to ensure normal functions and good health of the liver are advised to take sea vegetables as these also help in removal of toxins from the body. It is because sea vegetables help in prevention of assimilation of heavy metals including cadmium in the body. This action helps in saving liver against any damage.

• Working efficiency of liver can also be increased by consumption of coconut oil. It also comes under the category of healthy saturated fats and is quite easy to digest.

Reasons for menopausal weight gain in women

Menopause is also an important phase in the life of women. During this stage, women undergo change in their sexual and reproductive system. It is the time when reproductive capacity of women becomes nil and is accompanied by permanent stoppage of menstrual cycles. Since menstrual cycles come to an end at this phase therefore it is termed as menopause in medical science. During this phase, women experience numbers of changes in their bodies. And weight gain is also one among them. Most women gain weight when they pass through menopause. It is due to multiple reasons and the hormonal as well as physical changes taking place in the women’s bodies.

Some of the major causes or reasons for menopausal weight gain are-

Hormonal changes- During menopause, the level of hormone named estrogen is reduced to considerable extent. This in turn results in reduction in the rate of metabolism. As a consequent of this, the rate at which stored energy in the form of fats and calories is converted into working energy is also reduced. It gives rise to storage of more fats and calories in the body and hence ultimately leads to weight gain. It is worth noting that it is the chief reason for weight gain during menopause in almost all women.

Inactivity or lack of physical exercises- Due to so many changes taking place in the body at the time of menopause, most women suffer from lethargy, laziness, constant feeling of tiredness and exhaustion. At the same time, advancing age also reduces their stamina to perform physical exercises. This in turn results in inactivity. Ultimately, women tend to gain weight.

Loss/Reduction in muscle mass- With advancement in age and due to effect of menopausal changes taking place in the body, there is loss of muscle mass in women. It results in reduction in the resting metabolism rate which is the gateway for weight gain.

Decreased level of energy consumption- With the onset of menopause, the rate at which women can use up their energy during exercises or other general physical activities is reduced to considerable extent. As a result, there is considerable increase in weight at this stage.

All these factors or reasons combined result in menopausal weight gain. But there is no need to worry as you can keep a check over your weight and reduce it by paying attention to some points regarding your diet and lifestyle. Have a look.

• You must increase intake of non-starch vegetables during advancing years of age. At the same time, give up or reduce starchy foods, dairy products and grains as all these result in weight gain.

• Women should increase intake of such foods that have high protein content such as fish and chicken. It helps in making up for loss of muscle mass.

• You must preferably take some vinegar or green salad before meals as it helps in easy digestion of all the foods and at the same time prevents gas formation or bloating.

• Go for easy walk everyday at least for one hour. It helps in keeping your weight under control in a natural way. Normal working of hormonal is also ensured in the body with the help of light walking.