Eating Liver Does Not Nourish the Liver
Eating Liver Does Not Nourish the Liver
Traditional Chinese medicine places great importance on dietary therapy, and there is a popular saying: "Eat what you want to supplement." However, for liver disease patients, it is best not to try to "supplement the liver" by eating pig liver or other animal livers.
The liver is the largest detoxification organ in humans and animals. Most toxins in the body pass through the liver for processing, excretion, and transformation. Animal livers purchased from markets often harbor various toxins. Liver disease patients, with impaired liver function, cannot efficiently break down these toxins, thus increasing liver burden and hindering recovery. The liver is also a vital immune organ and a "chemical factory," producing various hormones, antibodies, and immune cells. These substances can be harmful to foreign bodies. Consuming them may therefore harm liver disease patients. Additionally, animal livers contain very high copper levels. Liver disease patients, with poor liver function, cannot properly regulate copper balance in the body. Excess copper accumulates in the liver and brain tissue, potentially causing jaundice, anemia, liver cirrhosis, ascites, and hepatic coma, possibly leading to death. Therefore, liver disease patients should never attempt to "supplement the liver" by eating liver. Daily diet should also limit liver consumption.