World liver day is celebrated on 19th April every year to spread awareness about healthy liver and liver-related disease. Liver is the second largest organ in the body is important for the human body. Liver functions to fight infection and illness, control blood sugar and cholesterol level, helps in the digestion and metabolism of toxic substances in our body.

Hence, it’s important to take care of our liver. Below are few simple tips that can help you to protect your liver.

world liver day

1. Reduce and avoid alcohol intake

It is advised not to drink more than 14units a week for both men and women. Excessive intake of alcohol is harmful to the liver and can cause liver failure, cirrhosis and liver cancer in long term.

2. Prevent hepatitis and get vaccinated

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. It is normally caused by the hepatitis virus. Example of viruses that cause hepatitis is hepatitis A, B, C virus and others. Most of the hepatitis virus is preventable by taking the vaccine.

3. Consult your doctor before taking any medication or supplements

Avoid any medication or supplement over the counter without your doctor’s advice. Wrong or combination of medication can damage the liver and cause liver failure.

4. Maintain your weight and exercise regularly

Maintain your weight in normal body mass index (BMI). Reduce your weight if you are overweight or obese as it can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It’s dangerous and can causes liver cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.

5. Control your blood sugar

Control your blood sugar if you are high blood sugar or diabetes. High blood sugar or diabetes patient has high chance to develop fatty liver due to increase insulin resistance.

6. Eat a healthy and balanced diet

Eat food that are from all groups such as vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, protein, dairy products and others. Food that high is fiber such as wholegrains, fruits and vegetables are important for healthy liver.

Last but not least,

It’s important to keep and maintain our liver healthy to prevent any disaster such as liver cirrhosis coming. Liver cirrhosis is an irreversible condition where your liver is hardened and scarred. It is dangerous as it can progress to liver failure and liver cancer.

Still worry about what to eat to keep your liver healthy? Now you can grab your daily whole grain in just a cup to control your blood sugar and body weight. It’s definitely the choice for the busy working adult to keep a healthy diet in a hurried way.

 

References

Goh, S. C., Ho, E. L. M., & Goh, K. L. (2013). Prevalence and risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a multiracial suburban Asian population in Malaysia. Hepatology international7(2), 548-554.
Ravindran., A. (2020). Malaysia Risks Liver Cancer With High Obesity Rate. Code Blue. Retrived from: https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2020/12/18/malaysia-risks-liver-cancer-with-high-obesity-rate/
Suppiah, S., Chow, L. R. M., Sazali, N. S. B., & Hassan, H. A. (2016). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in metabolic syndrome patients in Serdang hospital: quantification by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Malaysian J Med Heal Sci12(1), 9-18.
Walker, B. R., & Colledge, N. R. (2013). Davidson’s principles and practice of medicine e-book. Elsevier Health Sciences.