The liver does many functions to keep our body healthy and happy. It acts as the body’s filter. However, you must maintain a healthy weight and eat a balanced diet to achieve liver wellness.
The liver removes all of the toxins, transforms food into energy, and releases crucial enzymes into the bloodstream. It also adjusts the cholesterol level and aids in creating proteins that make the bile in your stomach. Your liver might not be the first thought to come to your mind if you have any symptoms like fatigue or upper abdomen pain. But, it often suffers if toxins accumulate.
In this guide, we’ll discuss common tips that can help you prevent liver damage, soothe any liver inflammation, or reduce the risk factors that negatively influence your organs. Let’s check them out!
Avoid Use Of Drugs And Alcohol
As to be expected, alcohol and drugs can create many health problems. These substances can destroy and damage the liver cells and scar the liver tissue. Nearly 37 million Americans over the age of 12 are users of illicit drugs.
An estimation of nearly 3% of the population used hashish, cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, or prescription-based medications like stimulants, tranquilizers, and sedatives. Your doctor or healthcare professional may recommend using prescription-based medication for medical purposes only and consuming alcohol in moderate amounts.
Diagnostic tests determine the liver disease stage and severity. Today this can be done with a non-invasive liver blood test that examines the levels of certain enzymes that can indicate if there is any liver damage or symptoms of common diseases.
Avoid Needles
Needless to say that needles are not only associated with drug use. Medical practitioners also use needles for tests, medication, infusions, etc. On rare occasions, unsafe injection practices may occur that would need immediate help. Avoid dirty needles as much as you can and follow strict guidelines in injecting medical substances.
If, for any reason, you come across a patient who’s infected with hepatitis, follow up with your physician immediately and visit the nearest emergency room in case you are concerned about infection.
Take Medication As Instructed
Toxins are eliminated through the liver. As well as medication waste. However, if medication is not taken appropriately, for example, if the person takes too much or the wrong medicine, the liver can be damaged. Warning: Do not mix medicine and alcohol!
If you’ve taken the wrong medicine by mistake, consult your doctor and follow the instructions. Also, talk with your doctor about any supplements you take, alternative ingredients, or herbal remedies.
Eat A Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet when dealing with liver issues is important in reducing the symptoms and liver inflammation. There are certain foods you can eat to promote liver health. For example, coffee has shown to be an effective beverage in reducing the risk of cirrhosis and chronic liver disease.
A couple of cups per day can reduce the risk of liver cancer and prevents the buildup of collagen and fats in the liver cells. The coffee works as an antioxidant as well and reduces harmful radicals that are naturally produced in the body.
A portion of food you can keep eating is grapefruit which naturally protects the liver through its antioxidant effects. Cranberries and blueberries are also good antioxidants and linked to many health benefits. Grapes in general aid in liver health promotion and improve liver function.
Prickly pear has been used in traditional medicine for treating liver disease, wounds, fatigue, and ulcers. According to the statistics of one study in 2004, the extract of prickly pear helped participants in the study to reduce hangover symptoms and reduced liver inflammation.
Prevent Hepatitis
To prevent hepatitis A, B and C you can get vaccinated. Hepatitis is a viral disease of the liver and can affect children and adults proportionally. If you are at risk of getting infected with hepatitis, ask your doctor about further measurements and procedures.
Hepatitis B and C can develop if a person comes into contact with contaminated bodily fluids like semen or blood. Practice safe sex besides the vaccination to protect yourself. Unprotected sex can lead to an increased risk of hepatitis, especially type B and type C. Use condoms, avoid contact with bodily fluids like semen and take care of your health.
Furthermore, wash your hands regularly to prevent spreading hepatitis through contaminated water or food.
Protect Yourself!
Your health is very important, so ensure you take care of it appropriately. And since the liver is a powerhouse of an organ, you need to take extra care of it.
Avoid getting a fatty liver disease or any accompanying symptoms by maintaining a healthy weight and following a balanced diet. Check our blog for more information regarding diet tips, eating habits, or preventing liver diseases.
