How can I improve the health of my liver?

There are many organs of the human body system that help a human to live well and to be functional. One of the organs is the liver. The liver works by eliminating all the toxic or harmful substances circulating in the body and helps to metabolise food. Other liver functions include hormone regulations and help to maintain the blood sugar levels. Impairment of the liver function can be devastating. Liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis can lead a person to experience debilitating symptoms that surely affect their quality of life.

Hence, it is necessary for you to know what you can do to improve the health of your liver. Aside from taking supplements like the folic acid with taurine, there are many more steps you can take for a healthy liver. This includes:

1-  Keep track of alcohol consumption. In general, alcohol is able to damage the liver cells. Although liver cells usually can regenerate and heal, frequent alcohol drinking or drinking in such a big volume can easily destroy the liver cells. Remember to drink alcohol in moderation and much better to not drink at all.

2-  Avoid usage of illicit drugs. Illicit drugs do not only cause liver damages, but are certainly wrong according to the law. Get help immediately by coming forward to the healthcare professional if you are already involved with drug abuse or addiction to get treatment and advice.

3-  Maintain healthy weight. People with obesity or are overweight are likely to get fatty liver. Losing weight can be a great way to reduce fat affecting the liver.

4-  Eat a balanced diet. Avoid eating meals high in calories, saturated fat, refined carbohydrates and sugars. This kind of food can easily lead to fatty liver.

5-  Regular exercise. Exercise helps to burn all the bad fat leading to fatty liver and the burned fat can become a source of energy for the body.

6-  Get medical care immediately if exposed to blood. If you find yourself coming in contact with another person’s blood such as involving or helping in a road accident, seek immediate medical advice.

7-  Make sure needles are clean. Sharing the same needles such as with drug junkies has been shown to cause an increased case of hepatitis. Hence, making sure needles are clean before any health procedure is essential. If you are planning to get a tattoo or body piercing, make sure the place you are getting is practising good hygiene.

8-  Making personal hygiene a top priority. Never share individual items such as toothbrushes, razors or nail clippers as it could be contaminated through blood or other body fluids on a microscopic level. Always wash hands after using the bathroom, before and after eating food.

9-  Be wary of toxins. Toxins can come from aerosol products, insecticides and cleaning chemicals. Avoid smelling such products by wearing a mask and make sure the room is well ventilated.

10-Practice safe sex. This includes using contraception and limiting partners. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C is often linked with transmission of the virus through the blood or body fluid during unsafe sexual intercourse or with partners already diagnosed with one.

11- Use medicine in a safe manner. Remember to take medicine as instructed and not misuse it by taking it in overdose. If you are using a supplement or another herb, make sure it is approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA). If you are on other medications, supplements or any natural herb remedies, let your healthcare professional know before they prescribe you other medicines.

12-  Get vaccinated. Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.