Here are some ways to keep your liver healthy:
- Don’t drink a lot of alcohol. Men should drink no more than two drinks a day and women only one.
- Eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise. Keep your weight under control; it helps prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- Don’t eat foods high in fat, sugar and salt. Raw or undercooked shellfish such as oysters and clams are a definite no-no.
- Eat food with fiber: Fiber helps your liver work at an optimal level. Fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, rice and cereals can take care of your body’s fiber needs.
- Drink lots of water: It prevents dehydration and it helps your liver to function better.
- Watch out for certain medicines. Some cholesterol drugs can occasionally have a side effect that causes liver problems. The painkiller acetaminophen/paracetamol can hurt your liver if you take too much.
- Learn how to prevent viral hepatitis. It’s a serious disease that harms your liver. There are several types.
- Hepatitis A and E spread by poor food hygiene, unsafe water and lack of sanitation.
- Hepatitis B, C and D are transmitted by blood, semen and other body fluids. To cut your risk, don’t share items like toothbrushes, razors, or needles. Limit the number of sex partners you have, and always practice safe sex.
- Ask your doctor about Hepatitis A and B vaccine.
“It’s not something you probably think much about, but your liver is a key player in your body’s digestive system.
What you eat, drink, and consume in general plays a significant role in your liver’s health.”
