Overview
A healthy liver is central to a body's ability to function. The liver consistently performs its vital tasks and is seldom noticed until it becomes diseased and is unable to operate. It's important not to wait until your liver becomes sick to pay attention to taking care of it. Learning a few basic guidelines involved in preserving the health of your liver will help you maintain the health of this crucial organ.
Environmental Toxins
One of the liver's main functions is filtering the blood and neutralizing toxins that enter the body. Be aware of your environment, and minimize the amount of harmful chemicals that enter your body. Protect your liver by wearing gloves when dealing with chemicals, such as household cleaners and garden chemicals. Beware of inhaled toxins, and make sure you have adequate ventilation when using aerosol products, such as hairspray or paint.
Ingested Toxins
Use caution with over-the-counter drugs, especially when combined with prescription medication. Your liver is responsible for dealing with these chemicals and can be damaged by them. Always consult your health care professional before taking over-the-counter treatments.
Alcohol is another ingested toxin that puts a heavy workload on the liver, and can lead to serious liver problems. Eliminate alcohol, if possible, or limit your intake to one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men. Illicit drug use also taxes the liver and puts you at increased risk for infection and liver disease. Seek help to deal with unhealthy alcohol and drug use.
Lose Weight
Obesity can lead to serious liver complications. According to Northwestern University, obesity leads to a condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This disorder involves fat deposits in the liver that can lead to serious complications, such as liver cancer and cirrhosis. However, many of the symptoms of a fatty liver are hidden and the condition goes undiagnosed until it is serious. To avoid the devastating effects of a fatty liver, maintain a proper weight. Make exercise and a nutritious, balanced diet a priority in your effort to maintain a healthy liver.
Protection
Maintaining a healthy liver involves protecting it from possible infections. Hepatitis takes a severe toll on the liver, and the Mayo Clinic advises you to consider being vaccinated if you are at risk for developing hepatitis. Vaccines are available for hepatitis B and A. Additionally, avoid contact with other peoples' body fluids. Hepatitis can be transmitted through fluids from infected individuals, and it's wise to take precautions and protect your liver's health.
Diet
In addition to avoiding a high-fat diet, the Hepatitis Foundation International recommends evaluating your protein intake, especially if your liver is already fragile. Protein digestion creates byproducts that the liver must neutralize, creating a larger workload. The Mayo Clinic suggests a diet that focuses on plant sources--fruits and vegetables--for those wishing to prevent liver disease.
Lose Weight
Obesity can lead to serious liver complications. According to Northwestern University, obesity leads to a condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This disorder involves fat deposits in the liver that can lead to serious complications, such as liver cancer and cirrhosis. However, many of the symptoms of a fatty liver are hidden and the condition goes undiagnosed until it is serious. To avoid the devastating effects of a fatty liver, maintain a proper weight. Make exercise and a nutritious, balanced diet a priority in your effort to maintain a healthy liver.Protection
Maintaining a healthy liver involves protecting it from possible infections. Hepatitis takes a severe toll on the liver, and the Mayo Clinic advises you to consider being vaccinated if you are at risk for developing hepatitis. Vaccines are available for hepatitis B and A. Additionally, avoid contact with other peoples' body fluids. Hepatitis can be transmitted through fluids from infected individuals, and it's wise to take precautions and protect your liver's health.
Diet
In addition to avoiding a high-fat diet, the Hepatitis Foundation International recommends evaluating your protein intake, especially if your liver is already fragile. Protein digestion creates byproducts that the liver must neutralize, creating a larger workload. The Mayo Clinic suggests a diet that focuses on plant sources--fruits and vegetables--for those wishing to prevent liver disease.
