12 Ways to a healthy liver
The best way to fight liverdisease is to avoid it, if at all possible.
Maintain a healthy weight. If you're obese or even somewhat
overweight, you're in danger of having a fatty liver that can lead to
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), one of the fastest growing forms of
liver disease.
Eat a balanced diet. Avoid high calorie-meals, saturated
fat, refined carbohydrates (such as white bread,
white rice and regular pasta) and sugars. For a well-adjusted diet, eat fiber, which you can obtain from fresh fruits, vegetables,
whole grain breads, rice and cereals. Hydration is essential, so drink a lot of
water.
Exercise regularly. When you exercise consistently, it helps
to burn triglycerides for fuel and can also reduce liver fat.
Avoid toxins. Toxins can injure liver cells. Limit direct
contact with toxins from cleaning and aerosol products, insecticides,
chemicals, and additives. Don't smoke.
Use alcohol responsibly. Alcoholic beverages can create many
health problems. They can damage or destroy liver cells and scar your liver.
Avoid the use of illicit drugs. Illicit drugs include
marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants,
or prescription-type psychotherapeutics (pain relievers, tranquilizers,
stimulants, and sedatives) used non-medically.
Avoid contaminated needles. Of course, dirty needles aren't
only associated with intravenous drug use. You ought to follow up with a
medical practitioner and seek testing following any type of skin penetration
involving sharp instruments or needles. Use only clean needles for tattoos and
body piercings.
Get medical care if you're exposed to blood. If, for any
reason, you come into contact with someone else's blood, immediately follow up
with your doctor.
Don't share personal hygiene items. For example, razors,
toothbrushes and nail clippers can carry microscopic levels of blood or other
body fluids that may be contaminated.
Wash your hands. Use soap and warm water immediately after
using the bathroom, when you have changed a diaper, and before preparing or
eating food.
Follow directions on all medications. When medicines are
taken incorrectly by taking too much, the wrong type or by mixing medicines,
your liver can be harmed. Never mix alcohol with other drugs and medications
even if they're not taken at the same time. Tell your doctor about any
over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and natural or herbal remedies that
you use.
Get vaccinated. There are vaccines for hepatitis A and
hepatitis B. Unfortunately, there's no vaccine against the hepatitis C virus.
