The liver is the largest solid organ and the largest gland in the human body, this vital organ carries out over 500 essential tasks. The liver is a part of the digestive system, It performs a variety of essential tasks including detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of chemicals that help digest food. The liver performs major tasks of the body, so keeping our liver healthy is important because otherwise, it can’t perform effectively which may lead to diseases like hepatitis, liver cancer, and maybe death.
Before know about how to protect our liver, let discuss what are the thing which damages our liver, which includes;
- Alcohol Consumption
- Cigarette Smoking
- Weighing More Than Needed
- A High-Sugar Diet
- Eating Heavy Dinners
- Practicing Unsafe Sex
How to keep your liver healthy?
Maintain a healthy weight
If you’re obese or even somewhat overweight, you’re in danger of having a fatty liver that can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), one of the fastest growing forms of liver disease. Weight loss can play an important part in helping to reduce liver fat.
Eat a balanced diet
Avoid high calorie-meals, saturated fat, refined carbohydrates (such as white bread, white rice and regular pasta) and sugars. Don’t eat raw or under cooked shellfish. For a well-adjusted diet, eat fiber which you can obtain from fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, rice and cereals. Also eat meat, daily (low-fat milk and small amounts of cheese) and fats. Hydration is essential, so drink a lot of water.
Exercise regularly
When you exercise consistently, it helps to burn triglycerides for fuel and can also reduce liver fat.
Avoid contaminated needles
Dirty needles aren’t only associated with intravenous drug use. You ought to follow up with a medical practitioner and seek testing following any type of skin penetration involving sharp instruments or needles. Unsafe injection practices, though rare, may occur in a hospital setting, and would need immediate follow-up. Also, use only clean needles for tattoos and body piercings.
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 a mask.
Use alcohol responsibly
Alcoholic beverages can create many health problems. They can damage or destroy liver cells and scar your liver. Talk to your doctor about what amount of alcohol is right for you. You may be advised to drink alcohol only in moderation or to quit completely.
Practice safe sex
Unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners increases your risk of hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Avoid the use of illicit drugs
Illicit drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psycho therapeutics (pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives) used non-medically.
Don’t share personal hygiene items
For example, razors, toothbrushes and nail clippers can carry microscopic levels of blood or other body fluids that may be contaminated.
Follow these tips to keep your liver healthy and fully functional, over time, conditions that damage the liver can lead to scarring hepatitis, which can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening condition.