Our liver is the second most fundamental organ in our body, next to the heart. Maintaining liver health, therefore, is crucial not just for a healthy liver but for our overall well-being, too. The quality of our liver can deteriorate for various reasons, such as bad lifestyle habits, poor diet, and genetic conditions.
Alcohol, tobacco, and addictive items are other factors that lead to fatal liver disorders. Protecting yourself from these disorders is important to maintain your long-term liver health. This blog will tell you the best ways to keep your liver healthy.
Reasons Why Your Liver Health may be at risk
Medical research has confirmed that many of us develop liver problems through genes, and the rest may suffer due to bad habits and excess consumption of drugs and alcohol.
Some of the common reasons that lead to liver failure are explained below:
- Viral infections – Studies by WHO reveal that Hepatitis causes liver damage and cancer and kills over a million people annually. Of the 5 types of hepatitis infections, hepatitis B and C cause most of the disease and deaths. Thus, hepatitis can make the liver unhealthy.
- Dependency on alcohol – Dependency on any addictive substances, such as alcohol, damages the liver cells and disallows normal functioning. A study by NCBI found that alcohol consumption in young men is associated with an increased risk of severe liver disease later in life. So it affects not only binge drinkers but moderate drinkers as well.
- Consumption of fatty foods– Relying too much on fatty foods prepared in unhygienic oils and unwashed utensils can raise non-alcoholic fatty liver conditions. Many of us are drawn towards such unhealthy food items which are available as street foods. This can be fatal to both our long-term health and our livers.
- Liver Disorder– Research indicates that approximately 1 in 10 children across the nation are now affected by liver disorders such as fatty liver disease. Similar to adults, a significant number of children diagnosed with this condition are overweight and exhibit insulin resistance, thus resulting in an unhealthy liver.
- Liver cirrhosis– It is characterized by scars in the liver. As per some studies, cirrhosis is the final stage of chronic liver disease that results in the disruption of liver architecture, and cancer is the next stage of cirrhosis that ultimately leads to liver failure and death.
- An autoimmune disorder – It is a form of hepatitis where the immunity system starts attacking the liver cells. There is a range of natural and Ayurvedic herbs that can keep your liver healthy naturally. Using herbs Autoimmune hepatitis is one of the most well-known autoimmune disorders affecting the liver. In this condition, the immune system attacks liver cells, causing inflammation and damage to the liver.
How to keep your liver healthy?
Indulging in some bad and unhealthy habits can affect your life. Therefore, it’s important to adopt some healthier habits and let go of the bad ones. Here are some tips to keep your liver healthy-
1. Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol usually damages the liver. Be careful regarding the daily consumption of alcohol as frequent consumption of alcohol over several years can lead to liver damage. However, alcohol-induced liver damage can be reversed if you quit drinking in time. If you are not able to leave alcohol so easily, then you can still try taking in measured amounts. The liver turns sensitive and gets hurt under the pressure of high amounts of alcohol consumption. Drinking problems will increase the bad bacteria in numbers, which will further harm the liver.
| Image | Quit Alcohol Addiction |
|---|---|
 |
Ordre Now |
2. Stay Away from These Addictive Drugs
The majority of young people are diverted towards consuming addictive substances such as Methamphetamine, tobacco, steroids, etc. Consequently, many suffer miserably from fatty liver, liver infection, or damage. Addiction to such substances does not go away easily. To get rid of your addiction naturally, you can use Addiction Killer, a product made from Amla, Tulsi, and Vidarikand to control your craving, remove toxins and balance the liver metabolism without causing any side effects.
3. Use these Ayurvedic Herbs
Ayurvedic herbs like Milk Thistle and Triphala ginseng may promote liver health, while turmeric and garlic show potential benefits in reducing fat and liver enzymes. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger root provide potential liver support, but high doses require caution. A study done on the therapeutic benefit of Triphala shows that it is efficient in managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
4. Maintain Personal Hygiene
In most of the hepatitis A cases, it has been seen that patients do not maintain appropriate cleanliness in their hands and the whole of the body. In unclean conditions, they start cooking and consuming and get infected by the hepatitis A virus. Cleansing hands properly with soap and water will prevent them from coming in contact with germs and microscopic organisms, which may cause damage to liver cells. Washing any type of produce or edible matter is necessary to avoid coming in touch with harmful pesticides.
5. Consume Healthy Fruits and Vegetables
Consume liver-friendly food packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals such as Berries, apples, Avocado, Leafy greens, carrots, garlic and turmeric. Research by NCBI shows that the Mediterranean diet, which includes fruit and vegetables, is considered an excellent diet, useful for the prevention of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Another study involving over 24,000 people showed that men who consumed raw garlic more than seven times a week had an up to 29% reduced risk of developing fatty liver disease.
-w.webp "cordlessblower")
6. Do Exercise and Yoga
Research indicates that for every hour spent in sedentary behaviour daily, the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty disease rises by 4%. Given that there is currently no approved pharmacological intervention for it, exercise continues to be the fundamental approach to treatment. You can attempt to improve and build your liver health and prevent weight loss by engaging in regular exercise such as aerobics or running, swimming and cycling. You can also do the asanas of yoga, which are Padmasana, Bhujangasana and Dhanurasana, for good liver health.
7. Eating Food on Time Followed by Adequate Rest
Further, you must follow a healthy lifestyle not only for your liver health but for your overall health. In that, you must eat food on time and should take a healthy sleep for nearly 8 hours to help gain a healthy liver. Along with this, managing stress levels is crucial for your overall health. A study done by NCBI shows that increasing stress levels over time are associated with a higher incidence of MASLD. These findings underscore the importance of stress management interventions in reducing the risk of Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.
8. Stay Away from Using Used Needles
It is required to stay away from using any contaminated needle for injection. Discuss with the doctor before using the injection for penetration in your skin. Using someone else’s injection needle or using it inappropriately will raise the chances of further infection. During piercing or tattooing, always make a habit of using a new or clean needle. Hepatitis B and C are some of the viral infections that can affect a person in cases where he uses needles. Using shared needles also increases the risk of other bloodborne pathogens, affecting the liver’s normal functioning.
9. Use Vaccinations If Recommended.
To avoid being affected by hepatitis A and B virus, it is always safe to be vaccinated. Otherwise, the virus might again strike with either hepatitis A or B. The Hepatitis B vaccine, typically administered in a series of shots, provides lifelong protection against HBV. But there is no vaccination against hepatitis C. Until a vaccine is developed, try harm-reduction strategies (like needle exchange programs) and antiviral treatments that can prevent the liver from becoming unhealthy.
10. Take Precautions During Physical Intimacy With Your Partner
Chances of hepatitis occur when you are not using any protective measures during the intercourse session. You may experience the worst if you are engaged with multiple partners. The risk of contracting hepatitis C increases significantly if you have HIV. Your risk may also be higher if you have intercourse during menstruation or have anal sex, which is more likely to cause bleeding. So, it’s crucial to use condoms during sexual intercourse so that your risk of transmitting is reduced.
Conclusion
Liver failure is a common issue caused by genetics, bad eating habits, and excessive alcohol consumption. Common causes include viral infections, fatty foods, biliary tract disorders, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Maintaining a healthy liver involves avoiding alcoholism, using probiotics, and vaccinations. Be cautious about medications and herbs, clean your hands, and engage in physical activities. Eating on time, resting, avoiding contaminated needles, and sharing personal hygiene items can help prevent liver failure and protect against potential infections.
FAQs
How can I keep my liver healthy and strong?
To keep your liver healthy and strong, adapt to a combination of lifestyle changes, diet choices, and regular habits that support liver function. Stay away from any bad habits, such as alcohol, that can further weaken your liver.
How do I clean my liver?
The best way to clean your liver is to stay hydrated by consuming at least 8 glasses of water daily, eating liver-friendly foods, avoiding stress, toxins and chemicals and incorporating exercises into your routine.
What heals the liver the fastest?
If you are suffering from any liver disorder, the best way to heal is by taking precautions and changing bad lifestyle habits such as preventing alcohol consumption.
Which food is best for the liver?
Consume foods rich in fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants such as Avocado, Apples, carrots, and ginger and avoid processed foods, trans fats, and excessive sugar, which can increase the strain on the liver.
How to stop fatty liver?
To stop fatty liver, you need to make some lifestyle changes such as avoiding alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding the intake of substances that are toxic to your liver health.
Sources
- PubMed. Hepatic Disease and Management of Liver Dysfunction. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39550545/
- PubMed Central (PMC). Impact of Natural Therapies on Liver Health. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7987125/
- PubMed Central (PMC). Therapeutic Use of Herbal Medicine in Liver Diseases. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8073814/
- Journal of Diabetes Research and Therapy. Therapeutic Potential of Triphala and Gomutra in Liver Diseases. J Diabetes Res Ther. 2024; 10(1): Article 3. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/jdra/fulltext/2024/09010/therapeutic_potential_of_triphala_and_gomutra_in.3.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Research Areas: Liver Disease. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/research-areas/liver-disease
- World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Launches “One Life, One Liver” Campaign on World Hepatitis Day. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/28-07-2023-who-launches–one-life–one-liver–campaign-on-world-hepatitis-day
- PubMed Central (PMC). The Importance of Liver Health in Young Populations. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7005647/#:~:text=21,should%20target%20the%20young%20population
- National Institute of Health (NIH). Your Liver Delivers. Available from: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2014/03/your-liver-delivers
- Journal of Diabetes Research and Therapy. Therapeutic Potential of Triphala and Gomutra in Liver Diseases. J Diabetes Res Ther. 2024; 10(1): Article 3. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/jdra/fulltext/2024/09010/therapeutic_potential_of_triphala_and_gomutra_in.3.aspx
