Sadly, liver health does not get as much attention as it should, which is likely why liver disease rates are on the rise. Heart disease is known as the most common cause of death in the United States, but liver disease is also in the top 10.
Sadly, liver health does not get as much attention as it should, but having knowledge helps you reach optimal liver health. It is therefore important to support your liver, and one essential vitamin may be the solution you are looking for. Vitamin E is known to be essential in many ways, and by ensuring you maintain daily consumption, you can promote optimal liver health too.
The Importance of Your Liver
Your liver supports digestive, metabolic, and detoxification processes in the body. It is the largest organ and has some of the largest responsibilities. The liver also plays a key role in your immune system. Without your liver, you would not be able to extract energy or break down or convert substances from the food you eat.
Your liver also stores essential vitamins and minerals, releasing as and when your body needs them. Unfortunately, most Americans do not follow a balanced diet, and this deprives the liver of nutrients it needs for optimal function.
Occasional oxidative stress is common in and around the liver as a result of the daily detoxification processes it performs. Making healthy and smart choices is the best way to support your liver. There are some genetic variables that can affect liver health, but for the most part, you can do a great deal to promote liver health.
One important feature of liver health is that it has the ability to regenerate cells, under the right circumstances. With certain changes made to your lifestyle and diet, your liver can get the support it needs.
How Vitamin E Can Help
Vitamin E, specifically the tocotrienol compounds present in this vitamin, can help support liver function and promote its overall well-being. Tocotrienols are powerful cleansing and highly protective compounds that can help reduce typical oxidative stress.
As lipid-loving compounds, these tocotrienols can move through the body with ease, and because they have the ability to reduce unwanted immune responses, they can work to protect your organs. Tocotrienols can also help support healthy liver cell function and regeneration while supporting healthy cholesterol levels.
Not only does this support heart health, but maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood lipid levels means less fat is available to accumulate. Too much fat is commonly associated with the typical Western diet, which is high in processed foods, high-fat food, and sugary treats. By helping maintain healthy levels of fat, vitamin E is an essential resource for supporting liver health.
Getting More Vitamin E
While vitamin E supplements are available for you to get the beneficial tocotrienols that support liver health, you can also add certain foods to your diet to increase levels naturally. The best foods to consume that are rich in vitamin E include:
♦ Almonds or almond oil
♦ Sunflower seeds or sunflower oil
♦ Nuts, specifically hazelnuts, peanuts, brazil nuts, and pine nuts
♦ Abalone
♦ Goose meat
♦ Avocado
♦ Broccoli
♦ Asparagus
♦ Butternut squash
♦ Fatty fish like salmon and rainbow trout
♦ Red sweet peppers
♦ Turnip greens
♦ Kiwi
♦ Octopus and lobster
Many of these foods could be an acquired taste, so you can get the same tocotrienol benefits and liver protection from a doctor-formulated supplement.
In general, a balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables will provide a healthy dose of vitamin E. However, if you are looking to promote your liver health, supplements are always a good proactive plan to have, provided your physician agrees to them as a part of your treatment plan.
The Bottom Line
Poor liver health is all too common and often related to poor dietary and unhealthy lifestyle choices. The good news is that you can take preventative action to promote and maintain healthy liver function. With the support of tocotrienols (vitamin E) and effective supplements, you can provide the best care for your liver, so it can provide the best care for you.
