Tips to keep our liver healthy
Posted on: 20/Apr/2020 3:36:16 PM
Humans and the complexity of our body is a huge chapter and it literally takes ages for a person to study the human body entirely. As common people, we don’t understand all the bodily functions of our organs. The science behind how our body works and which organ contributes to what function is also known vaguely. We try to manage ourselves with as much the knowledge we have. But if we question ourselves for a moment. Then we might even end up answering questions like how does our body produce necessary proteins and energy or how does it cleanse the running blood? Or how does clotting take place?
Well, the human body is an amazing machine that has different organs for specific functions. And the only organ that helps in building the overall health of our body and which can answer all the above-mentioned questions is the liver.
The liver is the second-largest complex organ that plays 500 vital roles in our body and in the digestive system. It performs many complex and synthetic functions in the body. The liver plays a role in the removal of toxins from our body and feeds our body with the required amount of energy. By storing vitamins, minerals, the Liver produces eighty percent of the ‘good’ cholesterol in the body. The liver also produces bile, which aids with the process of fat digestion along with this it also enhances the body’s clotting capability. This triangularly built organ fights many infections like Autoimmune Hepatitis Biliary atresia, Cirrhosis, Hemochromatosis, Hepatitis- A, B, C, D, and E.
Liver disease does not usually cause any overt signs or symptoms until it is fairly advanced. If advanced, then the possible symptoms could be loss of appetite, weight loss, jaundice, fluid accumulation in the abdomen(ascites) & loss of consciousness. In few, acute liver failure may occur which is life-threatening and which requires a transplant.
In this period of changing times, everyone is realizing the importance of building immunity and the need to maintain yourself healthy. The risk of developing not only liver diseases but other health conditions can be avoided by implementing the below mentioned basic health tips-
- Reduce Alcohol: Excessive consumption of alcohol is not good for the liver. Once the alcohol reaches the liver, it produces toxins like acetaldehyde which can damage liver cells and cause permanent damage. In addition to this, it does affect the inner lining of our stomach.
- Maintain balanced weight: Obesity is considered to be the largest health disease people are commonly suffering. Being over-weight affects our liver directly as it causes insulin resistance which can lead to fatty liver disease.
- Avoid fad diets: Diet charts or plans that say that can reduce your weight in an unrealistic period of time should not be consumed. As they can put unnecessary stress on your liver.
- Get checked regularly: A regular blood check-up will help out in keeping a tab on your level of cholesterol and glucose in your blood and also will let you know every issue related to fafatty liver diseases
- Practice safe: For body art like piercing and tattoos use sterilized needles, practice safe sex as used blades, needles, toothbrushes can cause hepatitis and other chronic liver infections.
- Have a balanced diet: Maintain a diet that has a mixture of all grains, proteins, vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats. Avoid junk and untimely meals. Eat fiber-rich foods.
- Get Vaccinated: Hepatitis A & B, both viral infections can be avoided if vaccinated at the right age
- Avoid excess and un-prescribed medication: Over usage of medicines can affect the liver. Medicines like pain killers do affect the overall health of the liver, causing unwanted stress on the liver.
As nature understands the vitality of the liver and its role, the organ has evolved into a regenerative internal body part. The liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself, making it possible for a person to donate their liver for more than once. And the only way that the liver can be kept healthy is through basic lifestyle changes. Implement all the positive lifestyle patterns to keep yourself healthy and fit!
- By Dr.Rupesh Kalyan, Consultant Medical Gastroenterologist, Columbia Asia Hospital Whitefield
