Our liver is a key player in the digestive system of our body and is a vital organ that we cannot live without. Everything that we drink and eat, including medicine, passes through our liver. Our liver is the second largest organ in our body, next to the skin.
It filters chemicals such as alcohol and drugs from the blood, as well as regulates our hormones and sugar levels. It creates bile, blood proteins, and numerous enzymes, which the body needs. Moreover, it stores energy from the nutrients one takes in.
Keeping the liver in good shape all boils down to a healthy lifestyle, which we will be giving you tips on in the following paragraphs.
1. Moderate Alcohol Consumption
We understand the need for a drink, especially after a long day. However, do practice moderation in your drinking habits. This is because large doses of alcohol can damage the cells of the liver and may lead to its scarring or swelling, resulting in cirrhosis.
You may think that cirrhosis is just a small thing, but we warn you not to underestimate its fatality.
The 2010 National Hospital Discharge Survey indicates that roughly 101,000 individuals in the United States have cirrhosis. In fact, the death toll because of that liver condition was 36,427 in 2013. So, learn to limit alcohol intake to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men, and keep your liver healthy.
2. Eat Clean and Exercise
Another thing that can lead to cirrhosis is the condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The risk for acquiring NAFLD is high among those who have diabetes and high levels of fat as well as are overweight.
Data from the 1988-1994 Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that some 28.8 million individuals worldwide suffer from NAFLD.
To avoid problems with your liver, it is important that you manage your weight. Eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise are great methods for weight management.
3. Avoid Harmful Substances
Be careful when handling products that contain toxic substances as they can cause damage to the cells of your liver. Examples of toxic products are aerosol and cleaning products, insecticides, and cigarette additives. As much as possible, avoid contact with those products. If you are a smoker, it is imperative that you quit.
4. Be Wary of Hepatitis
The hepatitis virus can cause the liver to be inflamed. There are a few different types of it. There is Hepatitis A, which can be transmitted by food or water that has been contaminated with bacteria found in feces. Usually, it gets better on its own.
Then there are Hepatitis B and C, which are transmitted by body fluids and blood. These varieties of Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, liver failure, and cirrhosis if left untreated.
5 Ways To Avoid Hepatitis
- Avoid staying in unsanitary locations
- Practice proper hand-washing
- Avoid sharing personal items such as razors, needles, and toothbrushes
- Use latex condoms all the time if you have more than one sex partner
5. Control Medicinal Intake
Experts formulate medicines to treat various diseases. However, there are medicines that you need to be wary of as they can damage the liver. Medicines such as the painkiller acetaminophen (Tylenol) and cholesterol drugs are toxic to the liver -- that is, if too much is taken at once or over time. You may not be aware of it, but you might already be taking too much Tylenol.
Tylenol can be found in a lot of drugs, such as prescription pain medicines and cold medicines. There are also particular drug combinations that are toxic to the liver. Taking some medicines while drinking alcohol is also something to avoid.
Consult your pharmacist or doctor to make sure that your medication will not have any harmful effect on your liver. Keep in mind to also follow dosage information all the time.
6. Fill in Your Nutrition Gaps
Despite our best efforts to be healthy, some people may find it difficult to ensure their body is operating at its optimal potential without taking supplements. If you do choose to supplement your natural diet with supplements, consider Alpha Lipoic Acid , a universal antioxidant that is great for liver health and sugar metabolism. Alpha Lipoic Acid does not only help your body fight the oxidative damage that free radicals in the body cause, but also stimulates other antioxidants into action. Its solubility in both fatty tissues and water also ensures that it can work anywhere throughout your body.
Many people have made the choice to keep their liver healthy. A healthy body is definitely worth all the effort you put in. The last thing you want to have is your own organs failing you.
The changes that you need to make may not be easy, but when you think about the reward of living a healthier and longer life, you would realize that saving your liver is worth every effort.
