The human body is a complex and amazing combination of organs and systems, the appropriate function of each affecting the whole. The liver is part of this beautiful, cooperative structure. The role of the liver is to regulate the blood: maintaining appropriate levels of certain chemicals and proteins, producing cholesterol and bile, converting excess glucose for storage, and hundreds of other vital functions. Your healthy liver is essential to your well-being.
Put simply, your liver helps you pull and store nutrients from your food as you digest and then rids your body of toxic substances. Although some viruses and bad habits can negatively impact the function of your liver, you can take several steps to maintain the proper function of your liver.
1. Swap Out Alcohol for Other Drinks
Moderate alcohol consumption can still negatively impact your liver, but there are many drinks that sustain liver health. If you drink coffee, you may find that this drink increases protective antioxidants and that coffee assists liver enzymes in their fight against cancer-causing substances. Green tea may also offer positive health benefits.
Of course, drinking water helps the body flush out waste. Your body uses water in many ways and just a couple of those are perspiration and elimination. Sweating helps your body maintain a regulated body temperature, and the body needs that lost water replaced.
2. Beware of Toxins
You probably come into contact with many chemicals throughout your normal daily routines. For example, toxins are present in the pesticides used in landscaping and household cleaning. Carefully read the warning labels on chemicals you may use at home and at work. There are also toxins in some food and medications. Cigarettes and other smoking products also contain toxins.
Some simple steps you can take to protect your liver and overall health include washing your produce before eating it, practicing routine hygiene, and reducing the number of chemical cleaners used in your home. Other steps may require a consultation with your doctor to pinpoint specific changes to make.
3. Take a Look at Your Medications
Don’t stop taking any of your prescription meds without talking to your doctor. It’s important to balance the benefits against potentially negative side effects. However, you may be hurting your liver with over-the-counter meds, such as acetaminophen and some cold medicines. Taking too much of any of these drugs can harm your liver and other body systems. Be especially careful when combining medications with alcohol.
4. Enjoy a Healthy Diet and Regular Exercise
There are many foods that help to keep your liver functioning properly. Some of the best foods for promoting liver health include grapefruit, blueberries, cranberries, grapes, beetroot juice, and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, for example.) Drinks such as coffee and tea are particularly effective at protecting the liver from disease.
The right vitamins and supplements can also help support liver functions. For example, deficiencies in vitamin D and E have presented some problems for people who haven’t included these important vitamins in their diets. A liver health supplement that provides these essential vitamins could help.
Regular exercise and other steps you can take to avoid obesity are essential in sustaining liver health. Obesity leads to many health problems, directly and indirectly affecting liver health. Work with your doctor to determine the best exercise for your health.
Safeguard Your Future
The health of your liver is crucial to enjoying your best life. Each day you can make choices that sustain healthy liver function. Choose today to do something nice for your liver and for your present and future well-being.