Eating Liver Does Not Nourish the Liver
Eating Liver Does Not Nourish the Liver
TCM places great importance on dietary therapy, and there is a popular belief: "Eat what you want to supplement." However, for liver disease patients, it is best not to try to "supplement the liver" by eating pork 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. Market-bought animal livers often harbor various toxins. Liver disease patients, with impaired liver function, cannot efficiently break down these toxins, thereby increasing liver burden and hindering recovery. The liver is also a critical immune organ and "chemical factory," producing various hormones, antibodies, and immune cells. These substances are often harmful to foreign bodies. Consuming them worsens the patient’s condition. Additionally, animal livers contain very high copper levels. Liver disease patients, with poor liver function, cannot properly regulate copper balance. Excess copper accumulates in the liver and brain tissue, potentially causing jaundice, anemia, cirrhosis, ascites, and hepatic coma, possibly fatal. Therefore, liver disease patients should never attempt to "supplement the liver" by eating liver. Daily diet should also minimize liver intake.