About the Liver
The largest organ in the body, the liver weighs about three pounds, and is reddish brown in color. It is made up of two sections, the right and left lobes. Our livers filter blood coming from the digestive tract before it passes through the rest of the body. It detoxes chemicals and metabolizes drugs. The liver secretes bile to the intestines and can also make proteins important for several body functions such as blood clotting.
There are several steps you can take to keep your liver healthy:
1. Don’t drink alcohol.
Avoiding alcohol can help you avoid long term damage to your liver. Talk to your doctor about how to limit your use of alcohol. Talk to your doctor to see if you should avoid alcohol.
2. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables and avoid toxins.
Try to avoid refined carbohydrates, saturated fat, sugar, and high calorie meals. Try to eat a variety of foods that contain fiber, which can be found in veggies, fruits, rice, whole grain breads, and cereals. Proper hydration is also crucial for a heathy liver, and you should make sure to get the recommended intake of water. You should also try to avoid toxins, such as those found in certain cleaning or aerosol products, insecticides, or chemicals.
3. Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
Those that are obese or overweight are more likely to develop liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the fastest growing types of liver disease. Talk to your doctor about healthy steps you can take to lose weight if you are overweight or obese.
4. Be careful with your medications.
If medications are taken incorrectly, or if you take too much of a medication, you can potentially do serious harm to your liver. Avoid mixing alcohol with other drugs, and talk to your doctor about over-the-counter medication and supplements or natural remedies you use.
You may be more at risk for liver disease if you use alcohol excessively or have a family history of liver disease. Talk to your doctor about the steps you can take to keep your liver healthy and improve your overall health. If you have any symptoms of liver disease, contact the specialists at Granite State Gastroenterology, and they will come up with a treatment plan that works best for you.