10 Tips for a Healthy Liver
One way to keep your liver healthy is by getting vaccinated for viral liver infections such as Hepatitis A and B. The Department of Gastro, Intestinal, Liver, Gall Bladder and Pancreatic and Liver Transplant Surgery at NewLife Gastro Liver Clinic shares more tips for a healthy liver.
Limit Your Alcohol Intake and Drink in Moderation
Our liver can only reuse or break down a small quantum of alcohol every hour. Beyond this, it can damage the liver cells and lead to inflammation and scarring (cirrhosis).
For this reason, men should limit their alcohol input to two standard drinks a day while women should only have one.
A Standard Drink Is Original To:
one ordinary beer
one small glass of wine or
a small shot of whiskey
Regular Exercise and Have an Active Life
Regular exercise is crucial to a healthy liver. Exercise decreases stress on the liver, increases energy levels, and helps to help obesity – a risk factor for liver disease. Aim for an aggregate of 150 minutes of exercise, similar to brisk walking or swimming per week.
Have a Balanced and Healthy Diet Less Fatty Foods and Further Fibre
High levels of fat in the blood (hyperlipidemia) and high levels of cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) are common causes of fatty liver disease.
Reduce the quantum of saturated fats, trans fats, and hydrogenated fats in your diet.
Saturated fats are found in deep-fried foods, red flesh, and dairy products. Trans and hydrogenated fats are found in reused foods. The liver stores redundant dietary fat and fat buildup can ultimately bring on fatty liver disease.
Eat more high-fiber foods similar to fruits and vegetables and whole grains. For proteins, choose more fish, white meat, beans, and nuts and cut down on red meat.
Watch Your Body Weight
Obesity, particularly, abdominal or central obesity, is a major risk factor for developing fatty liver disease. Together with a balanced diet and regular exercise, a healthy weight can be achieved and maintained.
Aim for the ideal body mass indicator (BMI) target.
Get Vaccinated
Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, both viral liver infections. Hepatitis A is contracted from contaminated food and water-avoid raw or contaminated seafood or shellfish. Hepatitis B can be contracted through sexual contact, contaminated blood, and needles. However, practice safer sex, If you choose not to get vaccinated against hepatitis B. Talk to your family doctor about these vaccinations.
Be Careful with Traditional Medicine and Remedies
Some of these over-the-counter traditional medicines or remedies contain heavy metals or unknown toxins. They can affect liver toxins or they can stress and affect the regular functioning of your liver.
Over-supplementation of traditional medicine may cause liver inflammation and can lead to unrecoverable liver damage or indeed a failure. Please consult your liver specialist prior to consumption if in doubt.
Be Careful of Weight Loss Pills or Fad Diets
Over-the-counter weight-loss capsules which are available without a prescription may contain toxins and ingredients which can be dangerous to the liver. Fad diets that make your weight swing over and down aggressively put inordinate stress on your liver. Be careful of any diet that promises large quantities of weight loss in an unrealistically short period. These diets are generally lacking in essential nutrients and aren’t beneficial but harmful to your liver.
Take care in consuming liver cleansing and detox diets. Contrary to popular belief, no particular diet is proven to be liver cleansing. Please ask your doctor or dietitian to help you produce a healthy diet.
Take Care and Cover Yourself Against Hepatitis B or C
Hepatitis C has no vaccine available presently. Hepatitis C can be transmitted sexually or if there’s a chance of blood-to-blood contact.
Practice safe sex and avoid unnecessary sharing of toothbrushes, razors, needles, and other personal care items – these can also transmit hepatitis B or C.
Still, consult your doctor for a screening program to detect problems early, If you’re a Hepatitis B or C carrier. However, get a Hepatitis screen, If your parents are carriers and/ or you aren’t sure.
Take Care If You Have Diabetes, Hypertension And/ or High Cholesterol
Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol form a metabolic syndrome with obesity, posing major risks for fatty liver disease.
Keeping your diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol under good control with diet, exercise, and/ or specifics can help limit and help liver damage. Please keep regular follow-ups with your family doctor.
Some anti-cholesterol medicines can sometimes have a side effect that causes liver problems. Some medicines can hurt your liver if you drink alcohol when you take them, or if you take numerous medicines in combination. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your specifics if in doubt.
Cut Down Smoking or Stop Smoking :
There are some studies that link cigarette smoking with the development of liver cancer. Smoking can also enhance the toxic effects that some specifics ( similar to paracetamol) have on the liver.
If you have more questions about Liver Health, Liver Transplantation, Consult a Liver specialist in Pune, Dr. Prasad Bhate is a well-known and experienced consultant Liver Transplant Surgeon in Pune, Hepatologist & Gastroenterologist at Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, Thergaon, Pune. He is also the founder of Dr. Bhate’s Gastro Liver Clinic and heads the Department of Gastrology and Liver Transplant in Pune.
