You might not know, but your liver is one of the most important organs in your digestive system. Everything you eat, drink, and even your medications, pass through your liver. So, you need to take better care of your liver and keep it healthy for your liver to do its job properly.
Your liver is responsible for a number of vital functions. It aids in the cleansing of your blood by removing toxic compounds produced by your body. It produces bile, a liquid that aids in the digestion of fat from the diet. It also stores glucose, a type of sugar that offers you a boost of energy when you do need it.
Negative Effects of Not Taking Care of Your Liver
Signs and symptoms of liver disease are not always noticeable. But when they do show signs and symptoms, they are the following:
- Chronic fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Jaundice
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Dark urine color
- Pale stool color
- Loss of appetite
- Tendency to bruise easily
- Swelling in the legs and ankles
- Itchy skin
If you notice these signs and symptoms, it would be best to go straight to your doctor to get yourself checked. If not, you might experience something much worse such as scarring (cirrhosis).
How Do You Prevent Damage to Your Liver?
Below are a few ways you can prevent or reduce the risk of any liver damage.
Have a Healthy Diet
High-calorie meals, saturated fat, refined carbohydrates, and sweets should all be avoided. Shellfish should never be eaten uncooked or undercooked. Fiber, which may be found in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread, grains, and cereals, are essential for a well-balanced diet. Consume meat as well, but keep red meat, dairy, and good fats to a minimum. Drink plenty of water because hydration is crucial.
Exercise
Regular workout assists in the burning of triglycerides for fuel as well as the reduction of liver fat. Not to mention, obesity or excessive fat can cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Avoid Excessively Drinking Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can cause a variety of health issues. These can scar your liver by damaging or destroying liver cells. As a result, limit your alcohol consumption. More than eight drinks per week for women and more than 15 drinks per week for males is considered heavy or high-risk drinking.
Watch Out for Certain Types of Medications
Certain cholesterol medications might possibly produce liver problems as a side effect. When you consume far too much acetaminophen (Tylenol), it can harm your liver. Take prescription and over-the-counter medications only when they’re absolutely necessary, and only in the specified dosages. Mixing drugs and alcohol is not a good idea.
Also, take note that before you start using herbal supplements with prescription or nonprescription medications, consult your doctor.
Bottomline
Prioritize your health and start taking care of your liver. Always be cautious when it comes to drinking, especially if you are on any type of medication.
Also, don’t forget to regularly get check-ups from your doctor to make sure that you don’t have any underlying disease, most especially because some signs and symptoms don’t show up unless you are already in a critical condition.
