For Peptic Ulcer • Raw Cabbage juice is an old folk remedy for ulcers. • Banana powder has been used to treat ulcers in India . LIVER DISORDERS Liver is the largest gland in the body weighing around 1500g. The liver has the ability to regenerate itself.
Approximately 1500ml of blood per minute circulates through the liver and exits via left and right hepatic veins. The liver is integral part of all metabolic functions in the body. UNIT- IN GASTRO INTESTINAL AND LIVER - - DIET IN GASTRO INTESTINAL AND LIVER DISORDERS Functions of Liver The main functions of liver include: • Metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and fats • The liver plays a major role in storage, activation and transport of many vitamins and minerals • It helps in the formation and excretion of bile, conversion of ammonia to urea and metabolism of steroids. • The liver converts carotene to retinol, a form of vitamin A.
It synthesizes heparin which prevents coagulation of the blood. Any inflammation, infection or damage to liver hinders its functions and the liver becomes sluggish. Some of the common liver disorders are hepatitis, cirrhosis of liver, hepatic encephalopathy and liver cancer. How does excess alcohol consumption causes liver disease?
Chronic abuse of alcohol has a hepatotoxic effect leading to malnutrition in an individual. Excess alcohol consumption can harm the liver causing inflammation and necrosis due to fat accumulation in the cells. A toxic byproduct of excessive alcohol intake is acetaldehyde which causes damage to the structure and function of the mitochondria in body cells, particularly in the liver. This reduces the normal functioning of liver causing severe vitamin and protein deficiency.
Excess alcohol intake can cause multiple complications such as: • Most serious complication is vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Thiamine or vitamin B deficiency is the most common vitamin deficiency and can cause Wernicke’s encephalopathy. Severe vitamin A deficiency can also occur, leading to night blindness. In addition, deficiencies of folic acid, vitamins B , C, D, E and K are common.
In regard to minerals, alcoholics may suffer from