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Two of the most serious spleen problems, notes Medline Medical Encyclopedia, include enlarged spleen and ruptured spleen 2.Enlarged spleen, or splenomegaly, may be caused by numerous health problems, including liver disease and certain cancers 1.Symptoms associated with this spleen problem include abdominal pain or fullness . Try to eat nuts and seeds like hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, sesame, flax, chia, pumpkin, and peanuts. Consuming foods that are rich in refined carbohydrates can further limit the ability of your immune system. 9) Spleen. This means avoiding contact sports (like football, basketball, wrestling, hockey, etc.) Here are some nutrient-dense foods that will support your spleen and lymphatic system: Green leafy vegetables. Eat a healthy diet: Eating an antioxidant-rich diet helps you prevent and recover from chronic diseases including lung conditions. In addition, spleen functionincludes helping keep the blood clean, transporting and balancing fluid levels, maintaining blood platelets, and ushering waste away from muscle and joint tissue. In fact, lemons may support heart health, weight control, and digestive health. But if you're out of gum or mints, reach for a lemon! Because the Spleen is responsible for breaking down your food through the process of digestion, and this is powered by heat. While some plant compounds from lemons and other citrus fruits may have anticancer potential, no quality evidence suggests that lemons can fight cancer in humans. While its clear that your diet and lifestyle can increase your risk of conditions that may cause splenomegaly, more research is needed. Leishmaniasis, a type of parasitic disease found in parts of the tropics, subtropics and southern Europe, can lead to an enlarged spleen. Under normal circumstances, your spleen is about the size of your fist and hardly even detectable to touch during a physical exam. Combine turmeric (if using dry pieces), fennel, cinnamon stick, cloves, peppercorns, star anise and cardamom in a skillet over medium high-heat and toast until fragrant bout 3 to 4 minutes. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which helps protect cells from damage. All rights reserved. This article explores the connection between your diet and your risk of an enlarged spleen. Heres a list of possible causes of an enlarged spleen: Splenomegaly is relatively rare, affecting around 2% of the U.S. population. Listed below are five types of foods that heal the spleen. Steep for 5 minutes or more. It also helps to heal the spleen quickly. *If a stronger, more medicinal tea is desired, use 2 . Instructions. If you want to maintain a strong immune system, avoid becoming sick, and retain muscle and joint health into older age, then you want to be careful to take good care of your entire lymphatic system, including, of course, your spleen! Leishmaniasis is believed to affect about 200,000400,000 people every year and develops after coming into contact with parasites, including infected sand flies. ; Spleen Qi Sinking: Depression, a bearing-down sensation in the abdomen, prolapse of the stomach, uterus, anus or bladder, hemorrhoids. It is also effective in treating type 2 diabetes, cancer, and obesity, while also aiding in detoxification. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Most health problems associated with the spleen involve the spleen becoming enlarged and when this happens, the risk for a ruptured spleen also goes up. One common theory is that the soluble pectin fiber in them expands in your stomach, helping you feel full for longer. Remember that not every case of an enlarged spleen is problematic, so find out from your doctor first what types of activities youre cleared to do. Following the 12 weeks, spleen weight was reduced again through exercise and treatment with genistein. Mix the lemon balm, lemon zest, and thyme together in a small bowl. The anti-inflammatory properties of lemon juice may help to reduce inflammation throughout the body. An unhealthy diet is not a known cause of splenomegaly. Doing this even once a day for a few minutes will really help the Spleen and you will notice a big difference in how you feel. 4 Reasons to Avoid Sole Fish. Soluble fiber can improve gut health and slow the digestion of sugars and starches. Dirty Dozen List: Are You Eating the Most Pesticide-Laden Produce? Oils that help support the lymphatic system include cypress, sage, and sandalwood. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Research shows that around 3 percent of healthy first-year college students have enlarged spleens. Because your spleen is in constant contact with your blood, blood-cleansing herbs directly cleanse and protect your spleen. Such vegetables include parsnip, pumpkin, turnip, winter squash, and carrot. They gained less weight and body fat than other mice (14). If your health care provider suspects you might be infected with a parasite, your physicianlook for symptoms like a fever or skin rash and accessblood counts (including a low red blood cell count causing anemia and low white blood cell count) since infected patients usually experience both. An enlarged spleen increases the risk of splenic rupture, which is when the surface of the spleen ruptures. The spleen can become swollen for a lot of different reasons, some more concerning than others. Cover and simmer in medium heat for 1 minute. Because an enlarged spleen is often caused by an underlying health condition, treatment typically involves identifying and treating the underlying condition rather than the enlarged spleen itself (1). Formost people, luckily its possible to remove the trigger that causes anenlarged spleen before surgery becomes necessary. You'll find 60 total ways to support your spleen within this article. Although many people do not understand the functions of the spleen, it is one of the most vital and largest organs of the lymphatic system. For example, excessive drinking can cause cirrhosis, a liver condition that can lead to an enlarged spleen. I'm lost, don't know how to do it, I'm 61 yrs old, diabetic, with diverticulitis, can't have seeds, nuts, corn, or peas, so I'm out as far as eating those for large spleen, I have IBS syndrome in my colon, I have COPD, 20% blockage of my heart, 10% Blockage in my right kidney and cyst on it. This helps lower inflammation and fight free radical damage that can make an enlarged spleen turn into a worsened problem. It also removes toxins when flushing out the body. Foods that tone up the spleen are: Dates, grapes, pears, potatoes, cucumber, carrots, melon, cereals, liquorice, honey, cinnamon and aniseed. zx. Foods that are rich in zinc that you can add to your diet include crab, lobster, oysters, clams, and mussels. It also very importantly fights infections by producing phagocytes and lymphocytes, two types of protective white blood cells. Essential oils that are useful for targeting swelling in the lymph nodes include lemon, myrrh, oregano, cypress and frankincense oils. It also produces and stores a range of white blood cells, that are part of the body's defense system. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 CHINESE MEDICINE LIVING. The spleen is approximately 3x1x5 inches in size, weighs seven grams and is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, between the 9th and 11th ribs on the left-hand side, beside the stomach. While its unclear how your diet directly affects your spleen, its well known that your diet significantly affects your overall health. Home Remedies For All Kinds Of Ailments | Top 8 Home Remedies 2023. Conversely, following a nutrient-dense diet high in anti-inflammatory foods like vegetables and fruits lowers your risk of developing RA, NAFLD, and other conditions associated with the development of an enlarged spleen (18, 19, 20, 21). Lemons may aid weight loss and reduce your risk of heart disease, anemia, kidney stones, digestive issues, and cancer. There are lots of things that, once you are aware of them, can help take the burden off your Spleen. Sometimes the spleen is damaged or enlarged because of side effects or disturbances in other organs, such as the liver or other parts of the immune system. Other supplements that can help improve liver health, circulation and fight inflammation include: omega-3 fish oils, turmeric, burdock root, digestive enzymes,activated charcoal and milk thistle. An enlarged spleen means that the rest of the immune system has to work harder to keep out infections and diseases. Foods that are rich in zinc are excellent for the function of your immune system. Dosing. However, human studies are needed. In fact, most people dont experience any noticeable symptoms of an enlarged spleen at all! Learn how your comment data is processed. Although theres not a lot of research on the topic, certain dietary changes may be suitable if you have an enlarged spleen or want to avoid medical conditions linked to the condition. How well we manage our thoughts, concentrate, exercise discernment, and form intentions are dependent on the strength of the Spleen. Some of the risk factors that can lead to an enlarged spleen include: As with almost all medical conditions, some foods should not be in your diet. Every organ in TCM is seen to have its own unique Spirit, and the Spirit of the Spleen is called the Yi. A 2015 study found that drinking freshly squeezed lemon water changes the pH level of blood and urine, reducing the amount of uric acid. The Spleen is responsible for the intake, processing, and distribution of nutrients extracted from food and drink. An enlarged spleen is a sign that the immune system is fighting to remove threats from the body, but failing to do so. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Drink half a cup of water with 4 to 6 tbsp of apple cider vinegar daily before eating your meals. Drinking lemonade stimulates the production of saliva, gastric juices in the stomach, and pepsin. Some neutral foods that you can eat include rice, fish, goji, plums, string beans, mushrooms, turnips, berries, kidney beans, and pork. Low in Heart-Healthy Fats. However, no studies confirm the weight loss effects of lemon compounds in humans. Following exercise with foam rolling, massage therapy or infrared sauna treatments is also beneficial for supporting the lymphatic system and helping with detoxification. What you learn in your first year in Acupuncture school when learning Chinese Medicine theory, is that we live in a Spleen deficient culture. The Spleen takes these nutrients and creates Qi and Blood, both vital substances for all the bodys functions and maintaining proper health. You cannot take this chance with spleen as it affects your immune system. Thus it is appropriate to the spring-like wood movement associated with the earlier part of the day. Many people suffer from enlarged spleen which is a warning that your immune system is failing to remove threats. Furthermore, the lymphatic system protects against infection, acts as a storage site for blood, and filters your blood, thereby removing old and damaged blood cells and foreign material (4). What does the size of your spleen say about your health, and when should you visit your doctor? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Try these on for size: Avoid cold drinks and ice in your beverages. The more chemicals you obtain through the foods your eat, the more work your liver, spleen and other organs have to do. (10) To help combat high amounts of stress, make it a priority to try relaxingexercises like being more active, doing hobbies you love, spending time in nature, taking warm baths, breathing exercises and so on. Required fields are marked *. (6) For example, an enlarged spleen can develop because the liver becomes congested and overworked (resulting in liver disease in some cases), trying hard to usher toxins out the body as quickly as possible, but becoming overwhelmed in the process. Orange Peel. Beans, lentils. What to Look For. Your email address will not be published. Combine several drops with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil, and massage them over the spleen two to three times per day. Its the largest organ in the lymphatic system, which is a collection of fluid, vessels, and cells. Yay! For example, a diet high in ultra-processed foods like fast food, soda, and packaged snack foods can increase the risk of conditions associated with an enlarged spleen, such as NAFLD or obesity (15, 16, 17). Something that you can do to give your Spleen a break, is to literally, take a break. Be careful when taking on new projects. Take daily for 2-3 days. One of the biggest concerns with eating any type of fish is contamination. This may prevent anemia. A standardized preparation of lemon balm (80 mg) and valerian extract (160 mg) has been given 2 or 3 times/day as a sleep aid, and has also been studied in children. That way you'll benefit from all its amazing properties. This can therefore warm the limbs by improving circulation to the extremities. All of these may also be beneficial in providing other health benefits for your body. Kidney stones are small lumps that form when waste products crystallize and build up in your kidneys. A healthy adult spleen weighs around 0.150.44 pounds (70200 grams). However, it should be noted that the research team used a very high dose of the chemicals far more than you would get by eating lemons or oranges. Foods that are cooked with refined oils can cause an increase in the production of free radicals in the body. Did you know that lemons are great for your spleen? 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