Your liver breaks down drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances to get rid of them from your blood. It also does a lot of other important things. But there are a lot of things, like drugs and diseases, that can hurt your liver and possibly cause scarring. When scar tissue builds up in your liver, it can replace healthy liver tissue. This makes your liver work harder to do its job and puts more stress on it.
Some well-known things that can cause this kind of damage are drinking too much alcohol, getting liver infections like hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, having an autoimmune disease, getting too much fat in the liver that isn't caused by drinking too much alcohol, taking certain medications or supplements, having a genetic disorder, being exposed to industrial chemicals, or having liver cancer.
Healthline says that there are certain things you can do to improve the health of your liver or stop liver damage from happening. This article is about these scientifically proven ways to give your liver a break and let it start over so that it doesn't get hurt. Here's a look at them:
1. Don't drink too much alcohol or don't drink at all.
Too much alcohol is bad for your health in many ways, but it seems that your liver is always the organ that suffers the most. This is because drinking too much can put stress on your liver and damage it. To give your liver a break, it is very important that you drink alcohol in moderation or don't drink at all.
Healthline says that two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women is a moderate amount of alcohol consumption. But there are times when you might have to stay away from all alcohol. One of these is fatty liver, which is the first sign of alcohol-related liver disease (ALRD) and can be fixed by giving up alcohol for 4 to 6 weeks. Cirrhosis is the last stage of liver disease that can be caused by drinking too much alcohol over time.
2. Keep an eye on your pills and supplements
Some medicines and supplements can make your liver work harder than it needs to. Some examples are acetaminophen (Tylenol), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), amoxicillin-clavulanate, an antibiotic, statins (medications used to treat high cholesterol), phenytoin, and some herbal supplements.
Your liver will not have to work as hard if you only take these medications or supplements when your doctor says you have to. Also, when you take them, be sure to carefully follow the instructions for how much to take and don't take them with alcohol.
3. Keep track of your weight
Being overweight or obese makes you much more likely to get nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition in which too much fat builds up in your liver, causing liver damage and inflammation, which can make it hard for your liver to work. To reduce your risk of NAFLD, you should work on keeping a healthy weight or losing weight if you are overweight.
Some of the best ways to lose extra weight or keep a healthy weight are to stay active, eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, and eat the right amount of food. Also, if you have NAFLD, your doctor can help ease the stress on your liver by suggesting a gradual weight loss program and changes to your diet.
4. Avoid getting sick
One of the most common ways your liver can get hurt is by getting sick. Viruses like hepatitis can cause inflammation of the liver, which can then damage the liver. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are all examples of these kinds of infections.
Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, use a condom or other barrier method during sex, don't share personal items like razors, nail clippers, or toothbrushes, don't reuse needles, and make sure a tattoo artist or piercer uses disposable needles and sterile equipment.
5. See your doctor regularly
Seeing your doctor regularly is another very effective way to keep your liver in good shape. It will help your health in general, and it can also help your doctor find and treat any underlying health problems early, before they get worse or more complicated. If you notice any strange symptoms, you should also see your doctor. They can help evaluate your condition and make a treatment plan to make sure your liver gets the rest and care it needs.
Choices for food
One of the best ways to give your liver a break and let it start over is to eat well. Healthline says that eating foods that are good for your liver will help it get back in shape and stay that way. Some of the things that can be done to do this are:
1. Getting enough fiber from whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and other foods.
2. Choosing lean protein sources like seafood, chicken without the skin, or beans instead of beef and other meats with more fat.
3. Eating or drinking less foods or drinks that are high in sugar, salt, or fats that are bad for you.
4. Eat less processed foods, like drinks and drinks with added sugar, and more whole foods instead.
5. Don't eat shellfish that is raw or undercooked.
6. To stay hydrated, drink a lot of water every day.