The liver plays a vital role in the human system. Its many functions include digestion, metabolism and blood detoxification.Therefore, maintaining a healthy liver is key to overall physiological health.
There are dangerous habits which tend to damage the liver such as alcoholism and smoking, and a damaging liver tends not to present symptoms until the final stage when damage is irreparable. Thus, it is very important we keep away from habits which risk the health of our liver.
Below are liver damaging habits we should abstain from:
1. Alcoholism: excessive consumption of alcohol inflames the liver and causes fatty liver disease. Alcohol inhibits the liver’s ability to detoxify the body, making the liver to concentrate on converting excess alcohol to a less toxic form. Take alcohol with moderation, if not, you just might damage your liver.
2. Over Medication: Too much intake of drugs gradually harms the liver and could result to liver failure. Drugs like acetaminophen which is commonly available without prescription cause liver damage when continuously taken for several days.
3. Smoking: This release certain chemicals which reaches the liver and cause oxidative stress producing free radicals that damage liver cells. It also causes fibrosis; a process whereby the liver develops scar-like tissues.
4. Unhealthy Diet: Unhealthy consumption of food could damage the liver. Avoid fatty foods and too much consumption of processed foods containing additives and artificial sweeteners. Fatty foods make fat to accumulate in the liver leading to inflammation and liver damage. Instead, consume more of fruits and vegetables; they contain beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and selenium which maintain liver health.
But beware of taking an overdose of nutritional supplements and certain herbs. Because an excess of nutritional supplements like vitamin A can lead to liver damage.
5. Sleeplessness: When we sleep our bodies go into repair and detoxification mode. Lack of sleep could cause oxidative stress to the liver. Make sure you sleep for at least eight hours everyday.
6. Not Taking Vaccination: Taking vaccines against diseases is key to body healthiness. Hepatitis is a disease that affects the liver, therefore it is vital you take vaccine for it so as to prevent contracting the disease. Not taking vaccination increases the risk of being affected with hepatitis.
Steer clear from these habits, they will shorten your lifespan. Eat well and abstain from unhealthy habits.
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