Liver Health: Tips to Keep Your Liver Healthy & Prevent Disease

What to Do to Keep Your Liver Healthy

The liver is an extremely important organ in the human body, whose primary function is to purify the blood, remove harmful toxins, and keep the body healthy. If liver function declines, harmful toxins accumulate in the body. This can cause various organs in the body to fail. According to experts, various liver diseases arise due to an abnormal lifestyle and unhealthy dietary habits.

The liver is damaged by excess weight, diabetes, high levels of triglycerides in the blood, decreased or increased HDL levels, and problems related to carbohydrates and fats. When the liver is damaged, some symptoms can be observed, such as: yellowing of the eyes, abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation (ascites), excessive fatigue, itching in different parts of the body, and sudden forgetfulness.

It is important to note that when the liver is infected by a virus or germ, it causes inflammation (hepatitis), which contributes to reduced liver function. The most common types of liver infections are hepatitis viruses. Hepatitis A spreads through contact with the stool of an infected person or by consuming contaminated food and water. On the other hand, Hepatitis B and C can mostly enter the body through blood, semen, and other bodily fluids. Therefore, if any symptoms of liver damage appear, one must be cautious about hepatitis.

Expert Advice

Experts primarily advise eating nutritious food to keep the liver healthy. Garlic is very beneficial for a healthy liver. Garlic contains antibiotic, antioxidant, and antifungal elements. Regular consumption of garlic helps the liver produce a special type of enzyme that aids in flushing toxins from the body.

Additionally, consuming raw turmeric, various fruits (especially apples, papayas, grapes), green vegetables, soybeans, fiber-rich foods, amla (gooseberry) juice, green tea, and coffee helps keep the liver healthy. However, it is also necessary to avoid some foods. For example, sugary foods should be limited. Those who have a habit of drinking alcohol are at high risk of significant liver damage.

Furthermore, soft drinks, chocolate, ice cream, fried foods, raw salt, butter/ghee, excessive sugar, red meat, etc., should be avoided as much as possible. However, a diet plan can be determined based on a doctor's advice. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet to control weight, the risk of fatty liver can be reduced. Various studies have shown that reducing overall body weight by 10% can reduce the amount of fatty liver by 3-5%.

Dr. Mushfiqul Abrar

MBBS, MD (Hepatology)
Consultant - Gastroenterology & Hepatology