How to Keep Your Liver Healthy
Your liver is a very vital organ in your body. A damaged one could mean death which is why you must keep your liver healthy.
Here are a few ways you can go about having a healthy liver.
A Healthy Liver is Possible By Not Being Obese
Maintaining a healthy weight is one way of making sure your liver stays intact and not bloated. When you are obese, you put yourself at the risk of having something called a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It is a harmful way to destroy your liver. It would not hurt to run a few laps in the morning or hit the gym when you begin to feel a little overweight. One pound might become 30 in a few months, and in a few years, you suddenly might not be able to walk anymore, due to obesity. Therefore, avoiding habits that lead you to obesity is a way that ensures your liver stays healthy, saving you from impending liver disease.
Reducing Your Alcohol Intake
Alcohol has to be one of the major killers of the liver. When alcohol comes into contact with the liver, the union produces a toxic enzyme called Acetaldehyde which damages the liver cells and further causes scarring. That is not all, when you consume alcohol, you usually need water to hydrate yourself because alcohol dehydrates your body system. Now when you constantly take in alcohol, your body is in a constant state of dehydration. Your liver needs water to be able to function properly and stay healthy, when the alcohol in your system constantly dehydrates your system, your liver is deprived of water, thus stressing it in the process where it tries to get water from other sources. You can take alcohol, but make sure you are taking it at a totally reduced rate. Another option is asking your doctor just how much alcohol your system can handle.
Staying Hydrated
The gospel of drinking a lot of water has probably become stale in the minds of people by now. But no matter how stale it becomes, it is pivotal to stay hydrated in order to stay healthy. You are required to drink at least one liter of water a day. It does not have to be at once; you can break it into intervals. Just make sure you are hydrated enough for your liver to get all the fluids it needs to function properly.
Hit the Gym
Exercising will help reduce liver fat, and you must get rid of all the fat in your liver if you are going to stay away from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Avoid Unprotected Sex
Hepatitis B and C are highly transmissible by sex. However, the use of condoms can save you all the trouble. You are allowed to have pleasure, just make sure you are doing it in a rather safe manner. It would not make sense to have a long-term disease that stemmed from a few minutes of pleasure. It is indispensable to practice safe sex, for the sake of your liver. Whenever you want to attempt unprotected sex with someone whose health status you are not sure of, remember that you have a liver to protect and opt for a safer option.
Do not smoke
Smoking does not just destroy your lungs; it also destroys your liver as well. It is worse if there was an underlying liver issue beforehand, smoking aggravates the issue and makes you much more prone to liver damage.
Healthy Eating Habits
The kinds of foods you take in also play a major role in the health of your liver. There are many things you should eat, and a lot more you should avoid if you intend to keep your liver healthy and safe. You have to take a lot of vegetables, whole grains, and anything rich in fiber. But most importantly, make sure what you are eating is a balanced diet, and there is no nutrient missing from your food. Also, avoid foods with way too much salt or sugar.
Leading a healthy lifestyle would save you from the risk of liver diseases.
