Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the liver is one of the five organs, located in the right flank of the body. It is the largest and most important organ in the human body. Its Yin-Yang nature is Yin within Yin, also known as Jue Yin. The liver functions to ascend and disperse, prefers smooth flow, dislikes depression, and has a Yin nature but uses Yang characteristics. Its functions include regulating and promoting the flow of Qi, storing blood, governing the tendons, manifesting in the nails, opening to the eyes, and having a close relationship with the gallbladder. In addition, it also plays a role in storing the soul and regulating reproduction. This understanding mainly includes the physiological functions of the liver in Western medicine, as well as a series of metabolic functions and some functions of the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, blood system, digestive system, etc.
So, how can we use traditional Chinese medicine to protect the liver of male friends? Traditional Chinese medicine experts provide six suggestions:
1. Diet for liver protection
There are two main points to consider in diet for liver protection: first, select foods that provide sufficient nutrients to meet the liver's physiological needs; second, pay attention to food hygiene to prevent bacterial and viral invasion of the liver.
Nutritionists tell us that the human body needs five major nutrients: protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, which are also essential for the liver. However, the liver requires more protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins, while excessive fat can lead to fatty liver and must be appropriately limited. Therefore, it is recommended to incorporate the following details into your daily diet:
Include foods such as milk, eggs, fish, lean meat, and soy products in your daily diet to provide the liver with sufficient high-quality protein.
Consume easily digestible monosaccharides and disaccharides such as glucose, sucrose, honey, and fruit juice to increase liver glycogen reserves.
Yeast is rich in B vitamins and should not be overlooked.
Hawthorn contains ursolic acid, which can reduce the deposition of animal fat on blood vessel walls and has a certain effect in preventing or alleviating atherosclerosis. You can eat fresh hawthorn, drink water soaked with dried hawthorn, or add hawthorn when stewing meat. It not only adds flavor but also aids digestion.
Green tea has the functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, aiding digestion and reducing greasiness. Chrysanthemum can soothe the liver and improve eyesight. Rose can relieve liver depression. Regularly drinking these types of tea is beneficial for liver protection.
Goji berries nourish the liver and kidneys, nourish the liver and improve eyesight. They can be used to make tea, stew soup, or cook porridge.
Eat walnuts, pistachios, and other nuts to regulate liver Qi and relieve anxiety.
For people with symptoms of insufficient liver Qi, such as yellowish complexion and poor sleep, it is recommended to eat liver of livestock and poultry once a week to achieve the effect of "nourishing the liver with the liver".
Avoid alcohol and all spicy and stimulating foods. Avoid fried and hard foods.
Eliminate food contamination, including pesticide residues on vegetables and fruits, food additives such as flour bleaching agents and preservatives, smoked and spoiled foods such as rotten ginger, red lanterns, and sprouted potatoes. Strategies: Choose vegetables with light or no pesticide contamination and wash them with plenty of water. Peel fruits and vegetables. Avoid or consume fewer foods with additives, such as canned foods. Stay away from smoked, grilled, and spoiled foods.
Drink plenty of plain water. Keep the water fresh, drink 3-4 bowls of water 3 times a day. Drinking plain water can increase blood circulation, enhance liver cell vitality, and facilitate the elimination of metabolic waste, thus protecting the liver.
2. Sleep for liver protection
During sleep, the body is in a prone position, and the liver receives more blood supply. Combined with the body being in a resting state, the liver has the lightest burden. Therefore, high-quality sleep has a significant effect on liver protection. On the contrary, poor sleep quality, especially sleep disorders, can easily affect liver function. Medical experts have noticed that a sleep disorder called sleep apnea syndrome can cause liver damage.
Sleep apnea syndrome refers to the temporary cessation of breathing during sleep due to the narrowing of the tongue and pharynx and the obstruction of the uvula, and in severe cases, the cessation of breathing can last for more than one and a half minutes. Medical data shows that about 32% of individuals with severe sleep apnea have abnormal liver function, and the degree of liver damage is positively correlated with the severity of sleep apnea. Further research has found that this liver damage is related to the hypoxia and insulin resistance caused by sleep apnea.
It is not difficult to understand that to improve sleep quality, the first step is to actively treat sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea syndrome. Secondly, avoid engaging in mentally exhausting work at night and avoid staying up late. Many people have poor liver health due to frequent staying up late and late sleep. According to traditional Chinese medicine, there are two most important periods of sleep in a day, one is noon (11 am to 1 pm), and the other is midnight (11 pm to 1 am). These four hours are also the time for bone marrow hematopoiesis, with the most blood flowing through the liver, which is beneficial for liver function repair. In other words, you should pay attention to napping and nighttime sleep, especially nighttime sleep. It is best to go to bed before 10 pm and ensure that you are asleep around 11 pm to lay a good foundation for liver function repair.
3. Exercise for liver protection
Engaging in physical exercise actively is another way to protect the liver.
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