What methods - nutrition, traditional medicine, medications - should be used to cleanse the liver after alcohol?

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• The effect of alcohol on the liver
• Is it possible to restore the liver?
• Methods of cleansing
• Liver tablets
• Healthy regime
• Proper nutrition
• Healthy foods

Alcohol abuse is the scourge of modern society. Addiction to alcohol-containing drinks a detrimental effect on health. Coming out of a binge, a drunkard needs not only the support of loved ones, but also psychological help. At this time, it is necessary to ensure the recovery of the liver after alcohol. After all, this important organ of the digestive system is the body’s filter, which is responsible for cleansing the body of harmful substances that come from intoxicating drinks. In order for the liver to “screw up its strength”, it is necessary to take care of taking special medications and folk remedies, ensure proper nutrition, and adherence to the regime. Read about all effective methods in our material.

Negative effects of alcohol on the liver

Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages can lead to serious health consequences. The body does not find the resources to cope with the harmful substances contained in alcohol. The liver is especially affected. In this organ, cells responsible for the synthesis of proteins, the transformation of carbohydrates, and the removal of endogenous components are destroyed. As a result, the liver enlarges and chronic inflammation occurs. In addition, ethanol alcohol causes:

• fatty liver cells;
• oncological diseases;
• cirrhosis;
• liver failure .

note

First of all, alcohol negatively affects the liver, since this organ produces enzymes that neutralize alcohol. However, it is designed in such a way that even under the influence of ethanol it is capable of self-healing. To speed up the liver “healing” process, you need to use medications, change your regimen, and switch to a healthy diet.

Side effects and contraindications

According to hepatologists, tubing can be performed at home only for the purpose of prevention, provided that the patient has no contraindications for the procedure or chronic diseases. To prevent complications, tubing is strictly prohibited when:

• diabetes mellitus;
• cholelithiasis;
• cholestasis;
• inflammation of the gallbladder;
• acute colds;
• hepatitis;
• oncological neoplasms;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• pathologies of the pancreas, heart, kidneys, stomach;
• pregnancy or lactation;
• menses;
• allergic reactions to the ingredients or drugs used;
• organ dystrophy, acute pancreatitis or hepatitis;
• parasitic diseases

Is it possible to renew the liver after a break with alcoholic beverages?

As noted above, the liver is a unique organ in the body that has the ability to heal itself. Moreover, this process is possible even if a person has been drinking alcohol for a long time. It is clear that it takes time to replace parenchyma cells; for example, in the most advanced cases this period can be several years. To speed it up, you should cleanse your liver of ethanol.

Only a competent doctor, based on a thorough and comprehensive examination, will be able to determine the level of damage to the organ and prescribe medications that will help put it in order. You should not self-medicate without contacting a qualified specialist. In this case, you can only worsen your condition, aggravate an already difficult situation. Treatment, even on its own, will not help alcoholics who continue to systematically use alcohol-containing products. Such people, who do not think about their health, will most likely face cirrhosis and cancer.

Content:

1. Etiology.
2. Pathogenetic mechanisms of liver intoxication.
3. Clinical picture of alcoholic liver intoxication: 3.1. Steatosis. 3.2. Alcoholic hepatitis. 3.3. Cirrhosis.
4. Diagnostics.
5. Principles of treatment: 5.1. Nutrition correction. 5.2. Drug treatment.

Alcoholic liver intoxication refers to the sequential development or combination of several diseases: steatosis (fatty degeneration), hepatitis and cirrhosis. In this case, the pathology can be asymptomatic (or with a “blurred”, non-specific clinical picture) until the development of irreversible changes. According to WHO, alcoholic liver poisoning is the most common disease in hepatology.

Methods for cleansing the liver after drinking alcoholic beverages

Weakening of the body due to alcohol consumption occurs due to the toxic effects of ethanol. To recover and get rid of the negative effects of this substance, you need to become addicted to a sober lifestyle and be patient.

Not only the time during which a person gives up alcohol can cleanse the liver. It is important to take medications and use traditional medicine methods. Together, they will allow you to completely get rid of the remaining ethyl alcohol. An equally important factor that will help you regain strength and health is the organization of proper nutrition. Food should contain the required amount of vitamins E and C, as well as antioxidants.

A discovery foretold by myth: regeneration in reptiles

The ability of organisms to regenerate, that is, restore the structure and functions of organs, is one of the important mysteries of medicine that people have long been trying to unravel. Observations of the animal world made it possible to formulate the following pattern: the simpler an animal is, the easier it is for it to restore lost organs. And if an earthworm is able to “complete” half of its own body, and a lizard is able to grow a new tail, then in humans, regeneration abilities are represented in a narrower range [1], [2].

There are quite a lot of fairy-tale creatures that can grow a new head or tail. But both the Lernaean Hydra (Fig. 1), and the Gorgon Medusa, and even the Serpent Gorynych have a very real “relative” - triton. This representative of tailed amphibians is considered one of the oldest species of fauna on Earth. Newts successfully restore not only their tail and paws, but even damaged hearts and spinal cords. However, amphibians are far from the only creatures that have access to the “self-repair” function. For example, zebrafish are used not only in aquariums, but also to study the regeneration of heart tissue. And the first animal, thanks to which the term “regeneration” appeared, was the crayfish. The French scientist Rene Reaumur, who proposed a new term back in 1712, studied the restoration of lost legs in crayfish.

Figure 1. “The Battle of Hercules with the Lernaean Hydra” by Antonio del Pollaiuolo (1475).

"Wikipedia"

It is not surprising that scientists want to understand why a lizard, for example, can restore a lost tail, but a person cannot grow a new arm. Studying the structure and composition of tissues immediately after the lizard lost its tail made it possible to discover a model of regeneration in reptiles. During the healing period, the basal cells of the epidermis actively divide, gradually “closing” the wound. Additional aggregation of dividing cells at the distal end of the spine promotes blastema proliferation, an accumulation of unspecialized cells. At this moment, the processes of formation of new blood vessels are launched, and then new peripheral axons. New formations of bone tissue and muscles come into play most late. However, the exact mechanism of tail regeneration in lizards is not fully understood. Recent research from Arizona State University and the Institute for Genomic Research has identified microRNA molecules that promote muscle, cartilage, and spine regeneration [3]. Perhaps this work will allow the development of treatments based on the control of gene expression using microRNAs.

Effective tablets for the liver after alcohol

To start or speed up the process of liver cell regeneration, it is necessary to resort to special medications. Tablets that stimulate hepatocyte renewal should be prescribed by a doctor. In addition, the patient should take vitamins and use general detoxification products. All these methods, characterized by a high positive effect, are aimed at strengthening the body. Depending on the condition of the digestive system organ, choose one of the following medications for the liver after alcohol:

• hepatoprotector "Dipana". The drug, which contains components of plant origin, will help rid the liver of toxins. If you follow the dosage specified in the instructions, the product is safe and does not have a negative effect on other organs. The drug, which is prescribed two tablets every day, is effective in detecting cirrhosis and hepatitis. The course of treatment ranges from one to two months.
• hepatoprotector "Essentiale". This drug, which has a healing effect on the liver, is available in capsules or injections. The standard course of treatment lasts two weeks. The medicine strengthens the membranes of hepatocytes. It can have a beneficial effect on such terrible diseases as hepatitis and cirrhosis.
• Allohol tablets. The liver cleansing product is based on natural ingredients, as well as activated carbon and condensed bile. Such components are not capable of harming other organs. The course of admission is one month. The drug will have the required effect for diseases such as hepatitis, the initial stage of cirrhosis, problems with the liver ducts.

Medications help normalize enzyme activity and restore liver function. Modern medicines of herbal and synthetic origin will ensure effective cleansing of toxins, free radicals, and other harmful substances.

A Discovery Made by Accident: Regeneration in Mice

But what about the possibilities of regeneration at the level of entire organs in organisms that are more highly organized than lizards? Until recently, scientists were sure that mammals are not able to restore lost organs. But this belief was shaken by a discovery made in the laboratory of immunologist Ellen Heber-Katz at a research center in Philadelphia. There they conducted various experiments on special “patients” - genetically modified Murphy Roth Large (MRL) mice. Such individuals differed from ordinary ones in that their T-cells of the immune system did not work. One day, Dr. Heber-Katz gave her laboratory assistant a simple task: to mark the mice selected for the next experiment by making small two-millimeter holes in their ears. A few weeks later it turned out that there were no holes in the ears of the experimental subjects. The structure of blood vessels, cartilage, and tissues looked intact. However, the laboratory assistant assured the doctor that the task of “tagging” the mice was completed in a timely manner. After repeating the experiment with the auricle, the effect was the same: after four weeks, a blastema formed on the “pierced” areas of the ears (Fig. 2) [4]. The next “experimental” object was the tail - and again it was possible to demonstrate partial tissue regeneration. However, the regenerative abilities of MRL mice are not unlimited: for example, such a mouse, alas, was unable to grow a new paw. The reason lies in the different location and number of blood vessels in the organs and tissues of the animal. Without cauterization, the mouse will simply die from a large loss of blood - long before the regeneration processes start. And cauterization at the site of the amputated limb eliminates the appearance of blastema.

Figure 2. Stages of ear tissue repair in a normal laboratory mouse (bottom) and a transformed MRL strain (top).

[4]

As a result of a series of observations of transgenic mice, it was possible to show that the secret of their success lies in a certain protein. Thus, in MRL mice, the expression of the gene encoding the protein p21 (inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 1A), which regulates the process of normal cell division, is blocked. Suppression of this gene in normal mice shows a similar ability to regenerate lesions [5]. But such manipulations should be carried out with great care: “disabling” the p21 gene can lead to disruption of normal cell reproduction, which can lead to the catastrophic division of all cells in the body.

Following a healthy routine

Compliance with the regime is one of the conditions that will help a person, after prolonged consumption of alcohol-containing drinks, to put himself in order. Adhering to a special daily routine is recommended not only for avid alcoholics, but also for adults suffering from stress and nervous tension. Every person interested in maintaining health can follow simple conditions:

• sports, moderate physical activity;
• adequate sleep, adherence to a rest regime;
• visiting a bathhouse, sauna, water procedures.

Experts recommend avoiding visiting places where many people can be present at the same time. They declare that a person must change his thinking, give up old habits, and fill his life with positive emotions. By following simple rules you can significantly improve your mental state.

Diagnostics

In addition to standard general clinical tests, the following are required:

• blood biochemistry;
• liver tests;
• coagulogram;
• analysis to determine the level of electrolytes in the blood;
• studies to identify the main markers of hepatotropic viruses, HIV;
• immunogram to assess immune function and possible concomitant autoimmune diseases;
• analysis to determine indicators of lipid and protein metabolism;
• test for blood glucose levels.

Also for liver intoxication:

• Ultrasound (usually reveals hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, characteristic changes in echostructure);
• Doppler ultrasound to assess blood flow in the portal and splenic veins;
• gastroscopy;
• elastography (non-invasive technique for diagnosing cirrhosis);
• CT or MRI;
• biopsy (if hepatocellular carcinoma is suspected).

Proper nutrition after alcohol

There is no clear answer to the question of how long it takes for the liver to recover after alcohol. It all depends on how long a person could not live without alcohol-containing drinks. Cleansing the digestive system organ should begin with choosing the right diet. Experts advise adhering to the following scheme:

• at least two liters of clean water per day;
• elimination of fried, highly salted, smoked foods;
• introduction of fresh vegetables and fruits into the diet;
• consumption of fermented milk products.

For people who give up alcohol, doctors recommend eating foods that have a choleretic effect. Products such as zucchini, carrots, onions, pumpkin, and butter will come to the rescue. It is worth paying attention to medicinal plants. Treatment with herbs that are not addictive will restore the digestive system. For example, you can use a decoction of St. John's wort and corn harvest. You should drink a glass of chilled drink a day for a month. It will have a beneficial effect on the body as a whole on an empty stomach, and most importantly it will help the liver recover.

A remedy for the liver after alcohol is vegetable juices. In this case, the former alcoholic switches to a raw food diet for a while. Vegetable juices are sources of useful substances such as calcium, zinc, magnesium. Particular attention is paid to the carrot drink, which should be taken for a month.

What diet to follow

The diet should be prepared by a nutritionist

For each disease, an individual list of permitted products is selected, taking into account the condition of the patient’s body. Many patients note the effectiveness of such a diet: on an empty stomach a person takes this mixture (a combination of 1 tablespoon of vodka and 2 tablespoons of olive oil). After 30 minutes, a person has breakfast with oatmeal with the addition of flax seeds.

Lunch is preceded by drinking a glass of water with lemon juice. These measures improve the flow of bile. But this method of stimulating the liver is not suitable for people with high acidity of gastric juice. Before using traditional recipes, it is worth assessing the condition of your own body.

The diet of each patient differs due to the peculiarities of the course of the disease, the severity of the process and the individual characteristics of the patient’s body. But there are general tips that are relevant for all patients:

• Lean meat and dietary fish are cooked in a double boiler.
• There are restrictions regarding dairy products: cream, sour cream, processed cheese, and fermented baked milk are excluded. The use of low-fat cottage cheese is allowed.
• What is the situation with the consumption of bakery products? Pastries and cakes are removed from the diet. You can treat yourself to crackers and products based on coarse flour.
• The basis of liquid dishes is vegetable soups with cereals; vegetarian borscht will help diversify your diet. You should avoid meat broths and mushroom soups.
• Vegetables excluded from the diet: tomato, radish, radish, onion. You cannot cook dishes with sorrel and eat garlic.
• You can have an omelet for breakfast or eat boiled whites. Eggs should not appear on the table more than 2 times a week.

A specialist will help you create a competent diet.

Other Natural Foods Helpful for Liver Recovery

The liver is an organ that withstands the main load by processing ethyl alcohol. He needs additional help to restore normal functioning. There are several products you should pay attention to that can cope with this task:

• oats The natural product contains many components that are essential for the body. Therefore, a decoction from it should be drunk before meals. It is very easy to prepare. One and a half liters of boiling water will require a handful of whole oatmeal flakes;
• berries. Currants, blueberries, blueberries are foods that should be included in the diet. Watermelon is an irreplaceable berry that washes toxins out of the blood;
• garlic, lettuce. One clove of garlic per week, which contains selenium, will help cleanse the liver. Greens help activate the flow of bile.

Beets, avocados, grapefruits, limes, walnuts, and turmeric will also benefit. Eating foods that help remove toxins from the body more quickly will help improve your health. An integrated approach, that is, the use of medications, adherence to a daily routine, and consumption of healthy foods is a guarantee of restoration of one of the most important organs of the digestive system.

Now it’s clear how to cleanse the liver after drinking alcohol. Take care of your health! Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages does not lead to anything good! It is necessary to take care of your well-being! This is the only way to live and enjoy the pleasant moments that every day gives.

Principles of treatment

Treatment of alcoholic liver intoxication is impossible without complete abstinence from alcohol. Therefore, the main attention is paid to detoxification of the body, coding (medicines are used with caution, preference is given to hardware coding, hypnotherapy), and psychotherapy.

Nutrition correction

The diet should be balanced, high-calorie (up to 35 kcal/kg per day), contain a sufficient amount of protein (1 g/kg, but with the development of hepatic encephalopathy, the daily intake of protein foods is reduced to 20 g with simultaneous intravenous administration of amino acid solutions), unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, macroelements. Naturally, fatty, fried foods, pickles, smoked meats, sausages, confectionery, etc. are completely excluded from the diet.

Drug treatment

To accelerate the regeneration of hepatocytes, reduce the activity of lipid peroxidation reactions, and eliminate the manifestations of cholestasis and fibrosis, the following is prescribed:

• corticosteroids (used with caution for concomitant viral, bacterial and fungal infections) for 7–14 days, followed by a gradual reduction in dose;
• herbal and combined hepatoprotectors, preparations containing essential phospholipids (these are one of the structural components of liver cell membranes);
• vitamins (thiamine, pyridoxine, cobalamin, nicotinic, ascorbic, folic acid, tocophelol, retinol);
• microelements (necessarily medications containing potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc);
• antioxidants;
• pancreatic enzymes;
• diuretics;
• probiotics;
• selective immunosuppressants (if concomitant autoimmune disorders are detected);
• specific antiviral drugs (if hepatitis C has been diagnosed), etc.

The duration of treatment for alcoholic liver poisoning, as well as the need for hospitalization, is determined individually. When contacting a specialist and abstaining from alcohol in the early stages of the disease, a positive result can be achieved in 90% of patients. But as pathological changes in the liver progress, the chances of healing rapidly decrease.

Clinical picture

With the described disorder, the following clinical symptoms occur:

• nagging constant, periodically intensifying pain under the costal arch on the right;
• bitter taste in the mouth;
• deterioration and complete lack of appetite;
• nausea with urge to vomit;
• diarrhea;
• signs of jaundice: a characteristic shade of the skin, visible mucous membranes, darkening of urine (it becomes like beer), discoloration of feces (it can even turn white).

Literature:

1. M.A. Livzan, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, E.A. Lyalukova, Ph.D. Alcoholic liver disease: modern aspects of diagnosis and treatment. Omsk State Medical Academy of the Ministry of Health of Russia, 2014.
2. E.Yu. Eremina. Alcoholic liver disease. Parts 1, 2. Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education Mordovian State University named after. N.P. Ogareva, Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Diseases, 2012
3. Diseases of the liver and biliary tract. Ed. V.T. Ivashkina. Guide for doctors, 2nd ed., rev. and additional M.: Publishing house. House M-Vesti, 2005. 536 p.
4. Moiseev V.S. Alcoholic liver disease. Clinical hepatology, 2006. No. 1. pp. 3-8.
5. A.A. Antonyan, E.I. Kashkina, R.V. Lyakisheva. Modern ideas about alcoholic liver disease. Saratov Medical Scientific Journal, 2010, volume 6, No. 2, p. 317-322.

How to recover from binge drinking at home

Of course, turning to a narcologist in such a situation would be the best solution, but there are times when this cannot be done. You can alleviate the condition of the house if the binge was short-lived and you adhere to certain rules:

• Drink plenty of water and simple drinks.
• Monitor blood pressure and take antihypertensive medications as prescribed by your doctor.
• Take vitamin and mineral complexes.
• Adequate sleep of at least 8-9 hours.
• Walks in the fresh air, feasible physical activity.
• 7-10 days after you start to break out of the binge, take a contrast shower.
• Avoid heavy foods, include high-fiber foods in your diet, and organize smaller meals.
• Before going to bed, drink soothing infusions of valerian, motherwort, and mint.

Additionally, you need to have a consultation and prescription from a doctor so that recovery at home is as effective and harmless to health as possible.