Liver: Essential tips for healthy liver
The liver is a large, meaty organ that sits on the right side of the belly. Liver weighing about 3 pounds, liver is reddish brown in color.
The liver has two larger section, called the right and left lobes. The gallbladder sits under liver, along with parts of pancreas and Intestines. The liver and these organs work together to digest, absorb, and process food
The liver is only argan that can regenerate itself, thus making it possible for one person to donate part of their liver to anther person
To give an idea of liver functions here is a partial list
Cleanses blood
- Metabolising alcohol and other drugs and chemicals
- Neutralizing and destroying poisonous substance
Regulates the supply of body fuel
- Producing, storing and exporting fat
- Producing, storing and supplying quick energy (glucose) to keep the mind alert and body active
Regulates the balance of many hormones
- Thyroid hormones,
- Cortisone and other adrenal hormones
- Sex hormones
Manufacturing many essential body proteins involved in
- Transporting substance in blood
- Clotting of blood
- Providing resistance to infection
Regulates body cholesterol
- Produces cholesterol
- Excretes and converts it to other essential substances
Regulates the essential vitamins and minerals like
- Iron
- Copper
Produce bile
- Which eliminates toxic substances from body and aids digestion
The best way to fight liver disease is to avoid it, if at all possible.
Essential tips for Healthy liver
1) Reduce Alcohol
We know that too much alcohol is bad for our liver. Liver can cope with small drinking a small amount of alcohol.
However, the liver can only handle a certain amount of alcohol at a given time so if you drink more than the liver can deal with by drinking too quickly, or drinking too much over a short period of time, the liver cells (hypatocytes) struggle to process it.
When alcohol reaches the liver, it produces a toxic enzyme called acetaldehyde which can damage liver cells and cause permanent scarring, in addition to other organs such as the stomach lining causing gastritis or peptic ulcer disease.
If you continue to drink excessively over the permit limits, the consequences includes destruction of liver cells, a build up of fat deposits in your liver (fatty liver), or liver inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis), permanent scarring (cirrhosis) or even liver cancer
Guidelines for low risk weekly alcohol consumption suggest up to 11 standard drinks in a week for women, and up to 17 standard drinks in a week for men. Drinking no more than six standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol related injury arising from that occasion. Drinking more than six standard drinks on any one occasion is regarded as binge.
Keep in the mind that alcohol can have varying effects on you depending on age, gender, mental heath, drug use and medical conditions, so balance a glass of your preferred alcoholic beverage with some thought about the associated risks.
2) Regular exercise and have an active lifestyle
Regular exercise is key to healthy liver. Exercise decrease stress on the liver, increase energy levels and help to prevent obesity a risk factor for liver disease Aim for a total of 150 minutes of exercise, such as brisk walking or swimming per week.
3) Have a balance and heathy diet
Less fatty food more fibers
High levels of fat in blood (hyperlipidemia) and high levels of cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) are comman cause of fatty liver diseases
Reduces the amount of saturated fats, transfats and hydrogenated fats in your diet
Saturated fats are found in deep fried foods, red meats and dairy products. Trans and hydrogenated fats are found in processed foods the liver store excess dietary fat and fat building can eventually brin on fatty liver diseases
Eat more fibre foods such as fruits and vegetables and whole grains for proteins, choose more fish, white meat, beans and nuts and cut down or red meat.
4) Maintain a healthy weight
If you're or even somewhat overweight, you're in danger of fatty liver that can lead to non alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), one of the fastest growing forms of liver disease. Weight loss can play an important part in helping to reduce liver fat.
5) Avoid toxins
Toxins can injure liver cells. Limit direct contact with toxins from cleaning and aerosol products, insecticides, chemicals and additives. When you do use aerosols, make sure the room is ventilated, and wear mask. Don't smoke.
6) Avoid contaminated needles
You ought to follow up with medical practitioner and seek testing following any type of skin penetration involving sharp instruments or needles. Unsafe injection practice, through rare, may occur in hospital setting and would need immediate follow up. Also, use only clean needles for tattoos and body piercings
7) Get vaccinated
Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B both viral liver infection. Hepatitis A is contracted from contaminated food and water avoid raw or contaminated seafood or shellfish. Hepatitis B can be contracted through sexual contact, contaminated blood and needles. If you choose not get vaccinated against hepatitis B, practice safe sex.
8) Be careful of weight loss pills or fad diets
Over the counter weight loss pills which are available without a prescription may contain may contain toxins and ingredients which can be harmful to liver
9) Fad diets
Fad diets that make your weight swing up and down aggressively put excessive stress on your liver. Be careful of any diet that promise large amounts of weight loss in an unrealistically short period. These diets are usually lacking in essential nutrients and are not beneficial but harmful to your liver.
Take care in consuming liver cleaning and detox diets. Contrary to popular belief, no particular diet is proven to be liver cleansing. Ask to your doctor or dietician to help you create a heathy diet.
10) Protect yourself against Hepatitis B or C
Hepatitis C has no vaccine available currently. Hepatitis C can be transmitted sexually or chance of blood to blood contact.
Practice safe sex and avoid unnecessary sharing of toothbrush, razors, needles and other personal care items these can also transmitted hepatitis B or C
If you are a hepatitis B or C carrier, consult your doctor for a screening program to detect problems early.
10) If you have Diabetes, Hypertension and High cholesterol
Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol form a metabolic syndrome with obesity, posing major risks for fatty liver diseases
Keeping your diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol under good control with diet, exercise and medication can help limit and prevent liver damage. Keeps regular follows ups with your family doctors
11) Stop Smoking
There are some studies that link cigarette smoking with the development of liver cancer. Smoking can also enhance the toxic effects that some medication (such as paracetamol) have on liver
12) Traditional medicine and remedies
Some of these over the counter traditional medicine or remedies contains heavy metals or unknown toxin. They can results in liver toxicity or they can stress and affect the regular functioning of your liver.
Over supplements of traditional medicine may cause liver inflammation an can lead to irreversible liver damage or even failure. Consult your liver specialist prior to consumption if in doubt.
13) Practice Safe sex
Unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners increases your risk of hepatitis B and C
14) Don't share personal hygiene
For example razors, toothbrushes and nail clippers can carry microscopic levels of blood or other body fluids that may be contaminated
15) Wash you're hands regularly
Use soap and warm water immediately after using bathroom, when u change diaper, before preparing or eating food.
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