Is there any shadow? Does the 5:2 fasting method of “starving” help protect the liver? Chinese medicine doctor Wu Mingzhu: Remember the 7 key dietary tips for liver protection

Recently, a research team from the German Cancer Research Center published a study in the journal Cell Metabolism, which found that the "5:2 fasting method" is a "good liver protection medicine" that helps improve liver health, including preventing fatty liver and cirrhosis, and stopping the development of liver cancer... Is this true? Does "starving" by following the 5:2 fasting method really help protect the liver? Let’s hear what Chinese medicine practitioner Wu Mingzhu has to say.

Although the medical community believes that fasting or eating less has many benefits to human health, such as weight loss and detoxification, the above-mentioned study by the German Cancer Research Center now mentions the benefits to liver protection. However, fasting is not the best diet for everyone, and long-term adoption may have dangerous consequences for certain groups.

What are the effects of fasting on the liver?

Fasting is an ancient and effective health-promoting method that can slow the aging process and prevent obesity and related diseases. Fasting triggers adaptive metabolic responses in major organ systems of the body, including the liver, brain, and adipose tissue. These responses are regulated by a complex network of hormones, growth factors, and cytokines. In most mammals, fasting for 12–24 h results in depletion of liver glycogen stores and increased use of adipose-derived ketone bodies and free fatty acids as energy sources. This adaptive change in liver metabolism is very complex, strictly regulated by the body, and involves changes in sugar, fat, and protein metabolism. However, the molecular mechanisms of how fasting triggers adaptive responses at the cellular level in the liver remain unclear.

The so-called "5:2 fasting method" is to choose 2 days a week to strictly control dietary calories, and eat normally on the other 5 days; during the fasting period, you can consume a small amount of milk and eggs, but the total calories must be controlled below about 500 calories. In addition, you should also consume an appropriate amount of vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins and minerals and maintain basic nutrition for the body. Although intermittent fasting is theoretically helpful for physiological regulation, related human studies lack long-term trial results and safety assessments. If you want to perform intermittent fasting, you must carefully evaluate and monitor your body's condition.

People who are not suitable for fasting

Chinese medicine practitioner Wu Mingzhu said that in fact, fasting is not suitable for the following groups, including:

(1) Suffering from mental illness, severe neurosis, or severe depression.

(2) People with severe heart disease, transplant surgery, advanced malignant tumors, or those who are extremely weak and frail.

(3) Elderly persons over 70 years old, or children and adolescents in their growth and development period.

(4) People with severe digestive system ulcers.

(5) Those who are suspicious, irritable and changeable.

If you want to protect your liver, what should you pay attention to in your daily life? What dietary habits are good for liver protection? Chinese medicine practitioner Wu Mingzhu said that the liver is the largest detoxification factory in the human body, which can break down toxins in the body. The liver meridian is in season during the Chou time (1-3 a.m.), which is the best time for the liver to detoxify. However, the liver meridian must be in deep sleep to work well, so we must enter deep sleep during the Chou time.

Nourishing the liver is not a one-day job and requires attention in daily life. It is advisable to adhere to a good regular work and rest schedule, be sure to avoid staying up late, and go to bed early and get up early.

Nourishing the liver is not a one-day job and requires attention in daily life. It is advisable to adhere to a good regular work and rest schedule, be sure to avoid staying up late, and go to bed early and get up early, because from midnight (11pm) onwards, it is the critical time for the liver to excrete sediment, and high-quality sleep is the best way to nourish and protect the liver. In addition, alcohol and tobacco are the liver's strong enemies and should be avoided as much as possible. Moderate exercise is also needed to help blood flow smoothly and enhance the liver's metabolic capacity.

7 Dietary Tips for Protecting Your Liver

The liver is a very important organ in the human body. It both detoxifies and stores blood. Traditional Chinese medicine has a saying that "all diseases are cured from the liver." Here are 6 daily liver-protecting dietary tips:

1. Eat green food every day: According to the traditional Chinese medicine, there is a "five-color diet". The liver is dominated by green, and "green enters the liver meridian". Therefore, you can eat more green foods, such as spinach, kale,

Celery, lettuce, purple cabbage, leek, okra, kelp, etc. These foods will not increase the burden on the liver, and have the effects of nourishing yin and moistening dryness, soothing the liver and nourishing blood.

2. Eat foods rich in vitamins regularly: including: carrots, tomatoes, kiwis, oranges, lemons, etc. These foods help detoxify the liver and relieve liver depression.

3. Eat more high-quality protein foods: Eat more foods rich in protein and lecithin. They can repair cells and promote cell regeneration, repair liver tissue. For example, eggs, yogurt, milk, lean meat, soy beans and their products are all very good sources of protein needed by the human body. They can meet the nutritional needs of the liver, enhance the liver's detoxification, detoxification and immune functions, and protect liver health.

4. Combine with health-preserving herbs: Add Chinese health-preserving herbs such as wolfberry, chrysanthemum, cassia seed, rose, poria, yam, etc. according to physical needs to improve eyesight and liver, clear away heat and detoxify, provide energy and nutrition, thereby improving the physiological conditions for liver repair, and soothing and strengthening the liver.

5. Eat high-fiber foods: high-fiber ingredients such as oats, millet, coix seed, red beans, black beans, mung beans, etc. Reduce the absorption of cholesterol and enhance the liver's detoxification function.

6. Eat less moldy and pickled food: Do not eat unclean food, especially moldy peanuts and unpickled sauerkraut.

7. Avoid smoking and drinking and drink more water: The liver has a limited ability to metabolize alcohol, and drinking can easily damage the liver; it is advisable to drink more water to increase blood circulation, promote body metabolism, and reduce damage to the liver caused by metabolic waste.

Eat more foods rich in protein and lecithin, which can repair cells and promote cell regeneration, repair liver tissue. For example, eggs, yogurt, milk, lean meat, soy beans and their products are all very good sources of protein needed by the human body. They can meet the nutritional needs of the liver, enhance the liver's detoxification, detoxification and immune functions, and protect liver health.

Press 3 major acupoints to nourish the liver in winter

In addition, when the winter wind is cold, it is also a good time to practice Chinese medicine for health preservation. Winter is the season for "storage" of all things. It is a precious time for the body to accumulate essence and nourish the internal organs. The liver is the "general" of detoxification in the body, and its health is directly related to our overall health.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the liver is the source of vital energy, and that vital energy is stored in liver blood. Therefore, nourishing the liver in winter can actually help to better "winter storage". Traditional Chinese medicine also emphasizes the five elements and how to nourish the liver. The liver belongs to the wood element and should be unobstructed rather than stagnant. In winter, Yang energy is hidden, and the human body needs to store Yang energy inside. At this moment, we should focus on nourishing our essence and energy, so that it can be restrained inside to nourish the internal organs. Therefore, the key to nourishing the liver in winter lies in "storage". By massaging the following three major acupoints, you can easily harmonize the liver's function, promote detoxification, and relieve fatigue and stress.

**1. Taichong point: relieves liver qi and depression

Taichong point is located at the "gateway" of the liver meridian, which allows the liver meridian to move unimpeded and facilitates the flow of qi and blood. Just a gentle press can replenish the liver meridian with vital energy, allowing the liver to perform its duties more smoothly.

You can move your thumb back and forth along the bone joints, 20-30 times each time. You will feel a warm current rising from your heart, and your mood will become clearer. Taichong acupoint still has the effect of clearing the mind and promoting sleep. Soak your feet and gently press it for a while before going to bed at night. Insomnia and troubles will disappear, and you will sleep soundly until dawn.

Dadun Point: Nourishes the liver and improves eyesight

It can improve eyesight, clear liver fire, promote blood circulation and regulate menstruation. It is a simple and effective method for treating excessive liver fire and blood stasis.

Press the area with your thumb and rotate it 15 times on each side. Then switch to the other foot and do the same. Keep doing this for 10 minutes every morning and evening.

Sanyinjiao acupoint: blood and qi balance

The Sanyinjiao point is like the "axis of blood and qi circulation", which can ensure that blood and qi flow smoothly throughout the body, and the liver's ability to relieve blood pressure is further enhanced. Press and rub the Sanyinjiao point, press it with your thumb, rotate it 15 times each side, then switch feet, and do this for 10 minutes in the morning and evening.

Drink Qi-boosting and liver-protecting tea in winter

【Qi-replenishing and liver-protecting tea】

In addition to pressing the three major acupoints, it is also recommended to drink the following Qi-boosting and liver-protecting tea:

Ingredients: 3 qian of Astragalus, 3 qian of Salvia miltiorrhiza, 1.5 qian of Chrysanthemum, 1.5 qian of Lycium barbarum, and 1.5 qian of Mint.

Method: Add 1000cc of water and bring to a boil over high heat or steep for 10-15 minutes, then you can drink it as tea.

Effect: Astragalus replenishes Qi and adjusts immunity; Chrysanthemum clears the liver and improves eyesight, removes wind and dissipates heat, and has a regulating effect on liver fire and excessive use of the liver that lead to dry eyes; Mint clears the liver and dispels wind; Lycium barbarum nourishes the liver and kidneys and nourishes liver blood; Salvia miltiorrhiza promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis, and helps metabolism.

Contraindications: Stop if you have diarrhea.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that winter is the "maintenance period" for the liver, because the cold climate can easily lead to stagnation of liver qi and affect liver function. In the cold winter, drinking some tea that helps nourish and protect the liver can not only warm the body, but also enhance the health of the liver.