How to keep your liver healthy?

The Liver is located on the right upper side of the abdomen. The liver is a vital part of the human body and performs multiple functions. Its functions include the production of bile juice, removal of toxins from the blood, processing of all the food we eat and drink, etc. The liver is involved in many metabolic and synthetic processes of the body. As it is such an important part of the human body, taking care of its health should be everyone’s number one priority.

There are multiple factors that affect liver health, and most of them revolve around lifestyle habits. To keep our liver healthy, we need to change several of our lifestyle habits. To improve your liver’s health, follow these tips:

Eat more fruits and veggies 

The best way to take care of the liver is to eat right. Fruits and vegetables are filled with nutrients that will help with improving liver health. The more colors there are in your diet, the more nutrients you will get. Keep this in mind while planning your next meal and include as many fruits and vegetables as you can.

Exercise

Exercise is extremely important for the prevention of chronic diseases.  An obese person is more likely to develop a chronic disease that might include a liver-related ailment. Excessive body weight increases the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. To increase the efficiency of the liver, maintain a healthy level of weight.

Get yourself tested

Prevention is always better than cure. Early detection will help prevent any liver condition from becoming severe. Getting tested is particularly important if:

1. If you have a history of heavy drinking
2. If there is a family history of liver-related issues
3. If you are pregnant
4. If you are on hemodialysis
5. If you have a history of using injectable illegal drugs
6. If you ever got stuck by an infected needle
7. If you have had any liver disease in the past or an abnormal liver test in the past
8. If you have HIV

Avoid incorrect use of medication

If you are taking any kind of medication for health problems or any nutritional supplement, always follow the dose and schedule prescribed by the doctor. Avoid taking medication unless it is prescribed by a registered doctor. Long-term liver damage can be caused due to excessive or prolonged use of any drug. Always consult with a doctor before starting or stopping any medication.

Drink more water

Drinking more water consistently is good for your liver. Set a goal to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Water will help flush out the toxins from your body and hence will lower the risk of liver diseases.

Stop drinking alcohol

If you want a healthy liver, consider saying no to alcohol. Alcohol leads to a build-up of fats in the liver leading to alcoholic fatty liver disease. This is the first stage of liver cirrhosis. Fatty liver will usually not cause any symptoms however, is a sign that you are drinking too much and need to stop if you want to have a healthy liver. To prevent alcohol-related liver disorders, consult with your doctor who can help you quit drinking.

Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B

For people who have a weakened immune system or are at high risk of liver diseases, vaccination becomes even more important. Talk to your doctor and get vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

With these small changes maintaining your liver health is possible, consult with your doctor for a personalized treatment plan if you have any liver condition.