The liver is a miraculous organ. Every day, it produces bile, metabolizes nutrients from the diet, clears toxins from the blood, breaks down fats, alcohol and drugs, controls blood sugar and hormone levels, stores iron and more.
People often don’t realize it, because the damage can be gradual without obvious symptoms.
* Here are 5 bad daily habits that can harm your liver.
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Over time, these habits can cause serious, life-threatening liver damage.
1. Excessive alcohol consumption.
The reason is that the liver is focused on converting alcohol into a less toxic form and is “distracted” from other functions, thereby causing fatty liver disease and hepatitis.
Fatty liver causes liver inflammation, and eventually cirrhosis and even liver cancer.
This condition usually occurs in men who drink 4 or more drinks per day and women who drink 2 or more drinks.
By the time symptoms appear, the liver may have been damaged beyond repair.
However, if you stop drinking alcohol at the stage of fatty liver, the liver can still recover on its own.
People who drink a lot of alcohol should have a liver fat test to see if the liver has been damaged or not.
2. Abuse of drugs, including “tonics”
Because one of the liver’s roles is to break down substances that the body consumes, including medications, “tonics” and herbs.
One of the drugs that can cause the most liver damage is the pain reliever, acetaminophen, which people often buy and take by themselves.
This substance is safe in small doses, but if taken in excess over a long period of time, it can be harmful to the liver.
Some herbal medicines and supplements can also damage the liver if taken in excess. For example, a common cause of liver toxicity is taking too much vitamin A.
3. Smoking.
Smoking is a habit you must give up. Tobacco smoke indirectly affects the liver. The toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke eventually reach the liver and cause oxidative stress, which creates cell-damaging free radicals.
Oxidative stress can also cause fibrosis – in which the liver develops scar tissue that, in the process of trying to repair itself and over time, can greatly affect its ability to function properly.
4. Lack of sleep.
Lack of sleep will disrupt the elimination process and damage the liver
One study found that lack of sleep can cause oxidative stress on the liver.
Another study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that people who work shifts and are sleep deprived are more prone to health problems, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
This is because their liver does not process fat effectively, allowing fat to accumulate.
Furthermore, when sleeping, the body goes into the repair process. Therefore, it is necessary to make sure to get 8 hours of sleep every night, because lack of sleep will damage the elimination process and damage the liver.
5. Obesity, high blood fat.
These conditions can cause fatty liver disease, which can also lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
However, it is possible to reverse the condition in the “fatty” stage by cutting down on carbs like bread and sugar and eating more fruits, vegetables, and protein. Another tip is to drink coffee.
* How should I eat?
• Processed foods should be limited, as they are often full of preservatives, additives, sweeteners and flavorings, which can damage the liver. Processed foods are also high in salt, which not only raises blood pressure but can also cause fatty liver disease by accumulating fluid in the liver and causing swelling.
• Avoid eating a lot of sugar, avoid soft drinks, limit fried foods and cookies – high in trans fats, because these types are also very bad for the liver, according to WebMD.
• It is necessary to eat enough vegetables and fruits to provide the body with enough vitamins C and E, zinc, beta-carotene and selenium – substances that help keep the liver healthy.
• Need to pay attention to provide enough vitamin B12, mainly found in meat, because the liver uses this vitamin to help circulate bile.
• Other B vitamins also help with liver detoxification and are found in nuts, egg yolks, fish, brown rice and legumes.