Love Your Liver and Keep it Healthy

Our livers often get overlooked, but they're absolute powerhouses, working tirelessly to keep us healthy.

Think of your liver as your body's ultimate filter and processing plant. It performs over 500 essential functions, including:

• Filtering toxins: Removing harmful substances from your blood, like alcohol and medications.
• Producing bile: A fluid that helps digest fats.
• Storing energy: Storing glucose (sugar) for later use.
• Making proteins: Essential for blood clotting and other vital processes.
• Fighting infections: Helping your immune system combat infections.

With such a demanding job, it's no wonder our livers can sometimes struggle. Liver diseases, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease, can have serious consequences for your overall health.

So, what can you do to show your liver some love this Liver Health Matters Month (and beyond)?

Here are some simple yet effective ways to take care of your liver:

1. Embrace a Liver-Friendly Diet:

• Eat a balanced diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
• Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated fats: These can contribute to fatty liver disease.
• Increase fiber intake: Fiber helps your liver function more efficiently.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help your liver flush out toxins.
• Consider liver-supporting foods: Some foods, like garlic, grapefruit, beets, and leafy greens, are known for their liver-boosting properties.

2. Watch Your Alcohol Consumption:

• Moderate alcohol intake is key: If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For women, this means no more than one drink per day, and for men, no more than two drinks per day.
• Consider abstaining: If you have any liver problems or are at risk, it's best to avoid alcohol altogether.

3. Maintain a Healthy Weight:

• Obesity is a major risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Losing even a small amount of weight can significantly improve liver health.
• Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

4. Be Mindful of Medications and Supplements:

• Some medications and supplements can be harmful to the liver. Always talk to your doctor before starting any new medications or supplements, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies.
• Follow dosage instructions carefully.

5. Protect Yourself from Hepatitis:

• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
• Practice safe sex.
• Avoid sharing needles.

6. Get Regular Checkups:

• Consider getting liver function tests as part of your routine checkups, especially if you have risk factors.
• Talk to your doctor about your risk factors for liver disease.

7. Be Aware of the Symptoms:

While liver disease can sometimes be silent, be aware of potential symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Dark urine
• Pale stool
• Nausea or vomiting
• Easy bruising

If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away.

This Liver Health Matters Month, let's make a conscious effort to prioritize our liver health. By adopting these simple lifestyle changes, we can help our livers function optimally and enjoy a healthier, happier life.

Spread the word! Share this post with your friends and family to raise awareness about liver health. If you are worried about the condition of your own liver, talk to your doctor or reach out to a CHI Health provider and schedule an appointment.

Let's work together to keep our livers healthy and happy!

Resources:

• American Liver Foundation: https://liverfoundation.org/
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): https://www.niddk.nih.gov/