The liver is one of the body’s most vital organs, but it’s not one that we often think about! In order to be healthy, your liver needs to be healthy and high functioning. Without a functioning liver, you cannot thrive and survive! It’s responsible for the body’s detoxification process in many ways, and can make or break health!
Here are some tips to keep your liver healthy.
Avoid high calorie-meals, saturated fat, refined carbohydrates (such as white bread, white rice and regular pasta) and sugars. Don’t eat raw or undercooked shellfish.
For a well-adjusted diet, eat fiber, which you can obtain from fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, rice and cereals.
Also eat meat (but limit the amount of red meat), dairy (low-fat milk and small amounts of cheese) and fats (the “good” fats that are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated such as vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and fish).
Hydration is essential, so drink a lot of water.
Two drinks a day, constituting of 30 ml of alcoholic beverage is considered a moderate quantity for adults up to the age of 65. For those above 65 years of age, one drink a day is safe for your liver. More than three drinks a day can be highly damaging for your liver and puts you at risk of developing cirrhosis.
When medicines are taken incorrectly by taking too much, the wrong type or by mixing medicines, your liver can be harmed. Never mix alcohol with other drugs and medications even if they’re not taken at the same time. Tell your doctor about any over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and natural or herbal remedies that you use.
Potassium is a macronutrient that our bodies need to function properly. Too much or too little can be detrimental to your overall health, but a severe lack of potassium can disrupt liver function. Make sure you are incorporating plenty of potassium rich foods into your diet. Otherwise, your liver will suffer the consequences!
Eat organic foods where possible, especially fresh produce, meats and dairy products. Non-organic foods can be laden with pesticides, herbicides, hormones and antibiotics all of which are toxins the liver must tackle.
Research shows that it can lower your risk of getting liver disease. No one knows why this is so, but it's worth keeping an eye on as more research is done.
To keep your liver healthy, follow a healthy lifestyle and keep a close eye on medicines, Chung says. "The liver can be a very forgiving organ, but it has its limits."
Turmeric is a Southern Asian spice that is in the ginger family. It is generally used in spice Indian foods. It is delicious, but it’s also nutritious! Many studies have shown that adding turmeric into your diet can do many things, such as decrease inflammation. However, it is also effective in helping to reduce the likelihood of developing fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease can develop as the result of an increase in major stress hormones, and turmeric has been shown to help reduce said increase.
Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. It helps give your body the energy it needs to work well, can help boost your immune system and will help keep your liver healthy. Exercise is especially important in maintaining an ideal weight for your age, gender and body type. People who are overweight or obese, run a higher risk of developing a fatty liver which can lead to fatty liver disease.
Of course, dirty needles aren’t only associated with intravenous drug use. 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.
Practice safer sex and protect yourself from hepatitis B. Unlike hepatitis B, hepatitis C isn’t classified as a sexually transmissible infection, but if there is a chance of blood to blood contact, you should practice safer sex. Less commonly, toothbrushes, razors and other personal care items can also transmit hepatitis B or C, so don’t borrow, or share yours with anyone!
Obesity is known to cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The liver contains some fat but when it increases by 5 to 10 per cent of the organ’s weight, it is diagnosed as a fatty liver. Alcohol is one of the leading causes of fatty liver, along with excessive weight. Exercise at least four times a week for a total of 150 minutes to avoid putting on excessive weight. Avoid processed and junk food to maintain a healthy weight and a healthy liver.
High levels of fat in the blood (hyperlipidaemia) and high levels of cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) are common causes of fatty liver disease. Keep your levels low by keeping your fat intake low. And of the little fats you do eat, make sure they’re unsaturated (poly- and monounsaturated fats). If a low fat diet isn’t working for you, speak to your doctor about medications that can help.
It’s been proven that smoking cigarettes is linked to the development of liver cancer. Smoking can also enhance the toxic effects that some medications (such as Paracetamol) have on the liver. Talk to your doctor, or ring Quitline to get help.
If you’re keen to get a tattoo or a piercing, take extra care to find an establishment that is clean and adheres to meticulous sterilisation practices. Want to learn more about your liver? Understand what makes your liver so important, try our liver-loving recipes, read more diet tips and make sure you get plenty of exercise
The hepatitis virus is considered to be highly damaging for liver functioning. Hepatitis A and B affects the liver and gradually reduces its ability to neutralise toxins, thus making the liver prone to infectious diseases. Consult a doctor to get proper vaccination if you’re at risk of contracting the hepatitis virus or have ever been infected with any form of hepatitis virus.Infected blood transfusion is a major cause of contracting the hepatitis virus.
Like eating many healthy, raw foods that are packed with antioxidants, potassium and the like, drinking raw vegetable juice can help to nourish the liver as well! Not only will this boost your immune system and help your liver with detoxification; it can also be fun and delicious. Try it out!
Green tea has amazing antioxidant properties, and has been hailed as a cure all by many ancient civilizations and modern medicine alike. Additionally, green tea has amazing detoxification properties that assist the liver and optimizes its function! Adding some green tea into your diet is a great way to keep your liver healthy and efficient.
When most people think of cranberry juice, they immediately think of urinary tract health. While cranberry juice does indeed help with urinary tract health, it also helps with liver health! Cranberry juice is composed of many vitamins and minerals that help your liver function optimally.
Drink at least 8 glasses or 2 litres of filtered water daily (spread throughout the day – not all in one go!). This helps to flush toxins out through the bladder and bowels preventing them from being recirculated in the bloodstream.
Add a squeeze of lemon juice to a glass of filtered water and drink first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything else. This primes your liver and digestion for the day ahead.
Protecting your liver health while travelling can be as easy as taking some preventative steps before you leave home and following a few simple precautions while you’re away. Click on the link below for a travel checklist that will help ensure that you don’t bring home any “unwanted souvenirs” from your trip.
