Indeed, the liver is a resilient, amazing organ. However, it isn’t indestructible, and its health is vital to your body’s overall wellness. Anyone can develop liver disease, so Arizona Liver Health has 10 tips to keep your liver happy and healthy.
10 Tips for Overall Liver Health
1. Maintain a healthy weight.
Even those somewhat overweight are in danger of having a fatty liver that can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Losing weight can play a vital role in helping to reduce liver fat.
2. Eat healthily.
Avoid foods high in calories, sugars, and saturated fats. A well-adjusted diet includes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, rice, and cereals. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are good fats. They are found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and fish are “good” fats. Hepatitis A is contracted from contaminated food and water. Avoid raw or contaminated seafood or shellfish to be safe.
3. Exercise regularly.
Exercising consistently (30 minutes per day, 5 days a week) helps burn triglycerides for fuel. It can also reduce liver fat.
4. Keep chronic conditions managed.
Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are major risk factors for fatty liver disease. Keeping them under reasonable control with diet can help limit and prevent liver damage.
5. Limit alcohol use.
Overindulging in alcohol can damage or destroy liver cells and scar your liver. Talk to your doctor about what the right amount of alcohol is for you.
6. Cut down smoking or stop smoking.
Smoking has been linked to liver cancer and can also enhance the toxic effects that some medications have on the liver.
7. Practice safe sex.
Having unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners increases your risk of developing hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
8. Wash your hands.
Use soap and warm water immediately after using the bathroom or changing a diaper. Also before preparing or eating food.
9. Follow given directions on all medications.
You can harm your liver when you take medications incorrectly or by taking too much. Always let your doctor know about any over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and natural remedies that you use.
10. Get available hepatitis vaccinations.
Currently, there are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. There is not a vaccine for hepatitis C.
Arizona Liver Health is committed to advancing options for liver disease patients through the research studies we conduct. Volunteers participating in clinical research make these advancements possible. When you have liver disease, and you join a study, you prioritize your health by learning more about your condition and potentially gaining access to new therapies not publicly available.
To see how you can get involved in one of our enrolling liver studies, call (480) 470-4000, or visit our website.
References:
https://www.healthxchange.sg/digestive-system/liver/tips-healthy-liver
https://liverfoundation.org/13-ways-to-a-healthy-liver/
