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The liver is an amazing organ and it is one of the most important in the body, with more than 500 functions. It is like your body’s own little chemical factory, fighting off nasty illnesses, removing waste and toxins and keeping energy stored. The liver holds around a pint of blood at a time.
It is essential, therefore, that you take good care of your liver. So what can you do to help keep a healthy liver?
- Keep Weight Under Control And Limit Fat Intake
Around a quarter of Brits are now classed as obese, thanks to a fatty food diet and lack of exercise. Obese people are more likely to end up with insulin resistance which causes diabetes and fatty liver disease, which in turn can cause cirrhosis of the liver, as well as cancer and liver failure. High fat and cholesterol levels in the blood can also cause fatty liver disease, so it’s best to reduce your fat intake and keep in shape for a healthy liver.
- Don’t Drink Too Much Alcohol
Alcohol is bad for us. We all know this. But in particular, it’s important to limit alcohol intake to keep your liver healthy. As little as 2-3 units daily of alcohol can cause liver damage, such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis or cirrhosis, which is irreversible. It is best to cut alcohol out as much as you can, and if you’re having problems, you should seek medical help for in order to keep your liver healthy.
- Quit Smoking
There is medical evidence to suggest that smoking is linked to cancer of the liver, and the chemicals in cigarettes can also sometimes enhance the toxic effects that some medications cause to the liver. It’s best to give up to maintain a healthy liver. There are lots of products on the market now to quit smoking, including the increasingly popular electric cigarettes that mimic smoking and provide a dose of nicotine without the other harmful chemicals being drawn into the body.
- Consider Alternative Therapies
Many people in the UK need prescription drugs to a range of illnesses and diseases, and these can leave toxic deposits in the liver. A liver that is already damaged through smoking, alcohol consumption or high fat diet is more susceptible to the toxicity of pharmaceutical drugs. Where possible, you can help to maintain a healthy liver by seeking out alternative medicines, but you should always check with your GP first to make sure that the alternative is not likely to be harmful in any way, and you should never stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor.
- Eat A Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is important for a healthy liver, so ensure your diet is low in fat, sugars and salt and get lots of fluid, protein and green leafy vegetables. You should also try to ensure that you get your essential vitamins and minerals, but try to get as much as possible from food because as with prescription medication, tablet forms can be toxic to the liver over long periods.
Author Bio/ Resource
Gemma Mitchell is a freelance writer who writes about health related issues, problems and tips. For more information about groin, gallbladder and abdominal issues please visit this great resource on abdominal issue found.