Popular belief is that excessive alcohol consumption is the sole cause of liver damage, whereas it is only one of the reasons why liver function gets impaired.
Why is Liver a vital organ?
Liver is like a ”Powerhouse ” of our body as it stores fat, glycogen, iron, proteins and minerals. Whatever we eat and drink, after digestion goes into the Liver for processing of the nutrients. Liver can also be regarded as the ”Garbage Truck” since it removes all the toxins from blood. Apart from this, it produces cholesterol and immune factors. Regulating the levels of sugar in the blood, regulating blood clotting and maintaining optimal levels of Hormones are also functions of Liver.
Are you Damaging Your Liver?
Do you know that your lifestyle and habits can damage your Liver? Excessive consumption of processed food that contains high amounts of trans-fats and sugars can be deleterious to liver. Leading a sedentary lifestyle with no physical activity results in being overweight and obese. The excess fat gets deposited on the liver and cause fatty liver. Taking over the counter pain killers frequently leads to impairment of liver function and ultimately damage the liver.
Symptoms of Liver Damage
Tiredness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea / vomiting, bloating, pain and swelling of stomach, swelling in the legs and ankles, itching, jaundice, confusion, irritability and tendency to bruise are the symptoms indicating liver function is impaired.
How to find out if Liver function is impaired?
If you have any symptoms see your doctor. You will be assessed by your doctor through a physical examination and doing certain tests. Apart from routine blood tests such as serum cholesterol and liver function test, specific tests can also be performed. Ultrasound, CT scan and MRI will detect the size and any growth in the liver whereas a sophisticated test called Fibro scan can detect liver damage and liver biopsy shows the extent of liver damage.
How can we Prevent Liver Damage?
Liver can be easily protected by improving our lifestyle such as eating healthy diet that contains low fat / low sugars and plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercising to maintain an ideal body weight. Managing risk factors by controlling high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Avoiding too many over the counter pain killers.
Foods Good for Liver
Apples, Grapes, Citrus, Blueberries, Avocados, Beets, Carrots, Green leafy Vegetables, Fatty Fish, Olive Oil, Papaya, Aloe Vera, Turmeric, garlic, Walnuts and beverages such as Tea, Coffee, Coconut Water and Lemon juice.
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