The liver is the biochemical factory in our bodies. How to protect the liver from alcohol? The vital functions of the liver are analysis and synthesis, storage, and detoxification. The liver is the largest organ in the human body.
People consumed alcohol for ages. I can not imagine French culture without cognac, cheese, and wine. Irish people are famous for whiskey, Japanese with sake.
Know your limits
Unfortunately, people do not know the limits. They consume too much alcohol. The damage would be done fast enough.
The liver can dispose of 10 millimeters of alcohol per hour. It means that if we drink more, the liver cannot detoxicate the alcohol.
How to protect the liver from alcohol?
Eat proteins
Most all enzymes which break down the alcohol are made from proteins. It means that proteins are crucial to us if we want to have a well-functioning liver.
70 % of the liver is protein—enzymes that perform functions derived from proteins.
The daily protein dose for adults is a minimum of 60-70 grams. Children require more because they grow.
Proteins consist of various numbers of different amino acids. It means that we must eat different types of food.
No to cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a condition when fatty cells in the liver take over healthy liver cells. Usually, about 4% of the liver’s weight is fat. When fat reaches the 10% limit, the liver can not perform its functions.
Excess fat accumulates in cells when the liver does not get enough protein from food.
It is a vicious cycle. The body lacks proteins. When there are not enough enzymes from proteins, the liver can not detoxicate the alcohol.
Cirrhosis is a dangerous disease with a high mortality rate.
How to protect the liver?
We can wonder how French people consume so much alcohol but stay healthy and, most importantly, happy.
French people enjoy food. They eat slowly. They drink wine slowly. They do not rush anywhere.
Cheese, meat, butter, mushrooms, and vegetables are everyday staples on the table of French people. They have enough proteins from food.
The liver is healthy when one drinks moderately and gets proteins from food. Without proteins and vitamins, a deficiency of vital nutrients can occur anytime.
Spirulina is the source of protein
Christopher Hills, Ph.D., D.Sc., found out that consuming 30 pills of Spirulina can prevent a hangover. Spirulina has a high amount of protein. It contains the liver from poisoning with alcohol.
Prevention is the best key to being healthy
Drinking alcohol in moderation and getting enough proteins and vitamins from food could protect our bodies from poisoning. It is better to take care of ourselves when we are in good shape and when to suffer consequences from the reckless usage of alcohol. How to protect the liver from alcohol is essential to know everybody.
We are responsible for our well-being. Without good health, life would be less colorful and joyful. Let’s think first and enjoy a glass of wine later.
Great article you have here! This is such an important topic especially when alcohol is part of many people’s lives. I like that you included tips and suggestions to help us understand more about liver and alcohol. It’s interesting to read your personal experience with it as well. Thanks for sharing this!
I think that if people would think about their health, they gradually would stop the consumption of alcohol. However, humans do not know how to relax and forget their troubles without few shots of brandy. The consequence of overconsumption leads to fatty liver and later to cirrhosis. This condition is the end of the line. The surgery is expensive and painful.
People who drink, they do not realize that alcohol is a poison. Few of people know limits and would stick with one glass of wine through dinner. Spiraling has plenty of proteins which in the stomach turn to amino acids. These amino acids help protect cells from damage of alcohol.
You mentioned personal experience. Sorry, but this information is provided by Christopher Hills, PhD,D.Sc. Usually, if I am in the party and have a glass of wine, I like to dance. I know about damage of liver from medical books where professionals describe consequences of enormous consumption of alcohol.
All the best, Nemira.