Liver health maintenance tips -
Liver stiffness improved, their insulin resistance dropped by 28 percent, and they lost weight. 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.
Another way is to simply make exercise a regular part of your life, by walking, cycling, gardening, dancing, swimming or playing sports. Simple changes you can make include taking the stairs instead of elevators or escalators, parking as far away from shopping mall doors as possible, taking a bus and getting off a couple of stops early and walking the rest of the way, or going for a walk after dinner instead of sitting watching TV.
Some medications cause problems, especially if you take too much. Over-the-counter medicines that can damage the liver if they are used excessively or for long periods include acetaminophen in Tylenol and an ingredient in some prescription painkillers and cold and flu tablets , aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Even large doses of vitamins can cause damage. Many prescription medicines can also harm the liver, including all the statins, niacin, valproic acid, halothane, isoniazid, phenytoin, and azathioprine among others.
The website livertox. gov lists all the medications that have been associated with liver damage. It may not be possible to avoid medications if you have health issues, but you can help yourself by only taking the medications you really need and avoid combining drugs and drinking alcohol, as this can increase damage to your organ.
Hepatitis A, B, and C are all serious diseases that can damage the liver. The Hepatitis A virus can be caught from drinking dirty or infected water, while hepatitis B and C are transmitted via bodily fluids.
There are vaccines for type A and B, but no vaccine exists yet for Hepatitis C. To avoid these diseases and help your liver, make sure your drinking water and food are clean, avoid sharing needles, toothbrushes and other personal items with others, and always practice safe sex.
Viral hepatitis can be present for many years without producing symptoms, so if you think you may have it ask your doctor if a blood test is advisable for you. Your liver is the main weapon of the body in the fight against toxins in the environment and in food, and you can help your liver by reducing the toxic load.
Homes, schools, and workplaces can become toxic environments if non-natural cleaning products, insecticides, and other aerosol products are used. Toxins such as pesticide and herbicide residues can also enter our bodies via non-organic foods and foods that are not washed properly. There is growing evidence that glyphosate, which is widely used on food crops and thought to be safe around the home, can cause liver damage.
Use natural alternatives whenever possible to help your liver. Good non-toxic cleaning products include sodium bicarbonate baking soda , and ordinary white vinegar.
Wash fruits and vegetables carefully, and choose organics if you can. 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.
Smoking has been linked to liver cancer and can also enhance the toxic effects that some medications have on the liver. Fatty liver disease is a common condition caused by the storage of extra fat in the liver.
Liver experts across the U. are seeing a troubling trend: More and more people are developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD. This condition—which, as its name indicates, is unrelated to alcohol consumption—occurs when too much fat accumulates in the liver. It now affects about 89 million Americans, according to the Center for Disease Analysis, a public health firm that studies poorly understood diseases.
The problem is especially concerning for older adults because about 40 percent of people 60 and older have the disease. Yet many of them are unaware. But its consequences can be severe. In a study published in BMJ Gastroenterology, researchers analyzed data on more than 3, older adults and found that those ages 60 to 74 with NAFLD had a 60 percent higher risk of early death from any cause over five years and a 22 percent increased risk over 10 years.
In addition, in some cases the disease progresses to a more severe stage called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis NASH , which may require a liver transplant or lead to liver cancer.
But the liver is a unique organ in that it can regenerate and repair itself. This organ performs over key functions, which is why a damaged liver can contribute to so many far-reaching health problems.
When your body stores too much fat in the liver, the organ becomes overwhelmed. This can lead to an inflammatory response that damages liver cells and eventually interferes with liver function.
There are no drugs on the market yet to treat or cure NAFLD or NASH. But lifestyle changes can be highly effective. Anyone who has been diagnosed with either of these conditions should take the steps that follow. Get a liver checkup. The symptoms of NAFLD, when present, are fatigue, pain on the right side of the abdomen, swelling, and jaundice.
But even without symptoms, some people should be regularly monitored for liver disease. This includes a blood test to determine whether liver enzymes, such as ALT, AST, and bilirubin, are elevated.
Lose weight. A study published in in the journal Gastroenterology was one of the first to show the impact of losing weight. The fruit and juice of the prickly pear may also be beneficial to liver health. A article suggests that prickly pear extracts show beneficial effects on the liver in animal studies.
However, more research is necessary to determine the bioactive compound that causes these effects, the most appropriate dose, and whether the effects apply to human models.
A review associates plant-based diets with a lower risk of NAFLD and liver fat content. Plant foods they group as healthful include:. Consuming fatty fish and fish oil supplements may help reduce the impact of conditions such as NAFLD.
A population-based cohort study also associates regular fish oil supplementation with lower risks of liver cancer. Fatty fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are the good fats that help reduce inflammation. These fats may be especially helpful in the liver, as they appear to prevent the buildup of excess fats and maintain enzyme levels in the liver.
Eating nuts may be another simple way to keep the liver healthy and protect against NAFLD. Nuts generally contain unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E , and antioxidants. These compounds may help prevent NAFLD and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Eating too much fat is not good for the liver, but some fats may help it.
A study suggests olive oil, as part of the Mediterranean diet , may help reduce oxidative stress and improve liver function. This is due to the high content of unsaturated fatty acids in the oil.
In general, doctors will recommend a balanced diet for overall health. However, there are also some foods and food groups that the liver may find harder to process.
These include:. No individual foods can prevent or cure liver cancer. However, some foods that can promote overall liver health include oatmeal, berries, garlic, green tea, and coffee. Some foods that are harder for the liver to process include highly processed and fatty foods, sugary foods, and alcohol.
While certain dietary choices can promote liver health, nutrition alone cannot fight liver cancer and is not a replacement for treatment. The liver plays an important role in the body.
Although it primarily takes care of itself, a person can help maintain liver health by consuming a balanced diet. There are also many foods and food groups that may harm the liver, including fried food, highly processed starches, and takeout food.
A person may wish to avoid these. Choosing foods that are good for the liver can help a person avoid potential health issues in the future. Liver supplements claim to help people maintain a healthy liver. Learn more about whether liver supplements work and how to keep a liver healthy, here.
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Mainteannce experts across the U. are Tipps a troubling trend: More and mainfenance people are Lean muscle mass nonalcoholic fatty liver tjps NAFLD. This condition—which, as its name indicates, Sports injury prevention for coaches unrelated to alcohol Liver health maintenance tips when too much fat accumulates in the liver. It now affects about 89 million Americans, according to the Center for Disease Analysis, a public health firm that studies poorly understood diseases. The problem is especially concerning for older adults because about 40 percent of people 60 and older have the disease. Yet many of them are unaware. But its consequences can be severe.Liver health maintenance tips -
Read warning labels on any chemical-containing products you use. Get Vaccinated Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are all viruses that impact the liver. In addition to getting vaccines to protect yourself, you can reduce the transmission of viruses through the blood or other bodily fluids — or through contact with contaminated food or water — by practicing safe sex and washing your hands often.
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View More Articles. Coffee and green tea are good choices, too. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Move your body. A combination of strength and cardio exercise is best.
Start slowly and work your way to that goal over time. Many supplements come with the promise that they optimize liver function, detox the liver, or otherwise promote liver health. They typically contain several ingredients. Research on common substances in these products is limited, and the evidence that does exist has been mixed.
Milk thistle, for example, contains a chemical called silymarin that may reduce liver inflammation. A study of 72 people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, published in in the World Journal of Hepatology, found that it had a small positive effect.
But the study subjects were also taking vitamins B12 and E, and were following a healthy diet. Some fish oil pills may contain contaminants, such as PCBs and mercury.
Lori Ioannou is an award-winning journalist who writes on health, consumer affairs, careers, small business, investing, and technology. She was the senior editor for special reports at CNBC and an executive editor at Time Inc. We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story.
By Lori Ioannou. August 9, More on a Healthy Lifestyle. Hepatitis A Is on the Rise: What You Should Know. The Truth About Green Tea for Weight Loss. Eat Smarter, Eat Healthier. You may be advised to drink alcohol only in moderation or to quit completely. Avoid the use of illicit drugs.
In , nearly 24 million Americans aged 12 or older were current illicit drug users, meaning they had used an illicit drug during the month prior to the survey interview. This estimate represents 9. Avoid contaminated needles.
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. For example, razors, toothbrushes and nail clippers can carry microscopic levels of blood or other body fluids that may be contaminated.
Practice safe sex. Unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners increases your risk of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Wash your hands. Use soap and warm water immediately after using the bathroom, when you have changed a diaper, and before preparing or eating food.
Follow directions on all medications.
Liver disease has been on my radar. Sports nutrition lies seem to be Livr more questions about diet Healtb lifestyle changes Lean muscle mass a healthy yealth. I Lover seeing and hearing Turmeric in natural cosmetics lot of cases of decreased liver enzymes levels, non-alcoholic fatty liver and cirrhosis in otherwise healthy adults. This trend is important because liver malfunction not only can lead to compromised body functions but also to other conditions like infection, or impaired cognitive function. The liver is the largest internal organ and has hundreds of functions. It is the main organ responsible for detoxification. Mmaintenance plays a key maontenance in maintaining liver health. Turmeric in natural cosmetics foods contain compounds Turmeric in natural cosmetics How does hydrostatic weighing work been shown to help tipa liver enzymes, ehalth against fat buildup, and decrease inflammation and oxidative stress. The liver is responsible for body processes from producing proteins, cholesterol, and bile to storing vitamins, minerals, and even carbohydrates. It also breaks down toxins like alcohol, medications, and natural byproducts of metabolism. Keeping your liver in good shape is important for maintaining health. Coffee is one of the best beverages you can drink to promote liver health.
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