How a Healthy Liver Can Help You Live Longer

Imagine having an organ in your body that performs over 500 functions that keep you alive. Sounds incredible, right? Well, that’s exactly what your liver does! Liver, referred to as the unsung hero of our body, is a remarkable organ that deserves some love and attention.

Let’s learn about what keeps our liver ticking and how to keep this incredible organ in top shape!

Why Liver is Special

The liver is the largest internal organ in our body and has a unique ability to regenerate itself. It is one of the most accomplished multi-taskers, performing a multitude of vital functions from processing nutrients and filtering toxins to producing bile for digestion and storing vitamins and minerals, the liver does it all! Without a healthy liver, our bodies would struggle to function optimally, making it a truly special organ that deserves our attention and care.

What does your liver do

As mentioned earlier, the liver has over 500 vital functions, but let’s highlight some of the key ones:

The liver detoxifies blood converting harmful substances, including drugs, alcohol, and environmental toxins into less harmful substances that can be eliminated from the body.

It metabolises carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, converting them into energy or storing them for future use. It also regulates blood sugar levels and helps with cholesterol metabolism.

It produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine for digesting fats.

It stores essential vitamins, minerals, and glycogen (a form of stored glucose).

It boosts our immunity by producing proteins that help fight infections and eliminating bacteria and other harmful substances from the blood.

What can harm this versatile organ

As mighty as the liver is, it can still be damaged by various conditions leading to impaired function. Some common causes of liver problems include:

Consuming excessive amounts of processed foods, unhealthy fats, sugary beverages, and alcohol.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections can damage the liver, leading to chronic liver disease.

Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol over time can cause liver damage.

Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Taking high doses of medications or supplements, or mixing them with alcohol, can damage liver.

How will you know if you have a liver problem

The only problem with liver is that, it keeps functioning in spite of being damaged, for as long as it can. You will not notice any symptom in the early stages of liver disease. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Dark urine
• Pale stool
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Swollen ankles and legs
• Itchy skin
• Easy bruising

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately.

What you can do to protect your liver

The good news is that there are several steps you can take to keep your liver healthy and prevent liver problems. Here are some tips:

• Eat a balanced and healthy diet
• Limit your intake of processed foods, sugary beverages, and unhealthy fats
• Avoid excess alcohol consumption
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Get vaccinated against viral hepatitis
• Practice safe sex and avoid sharing needles
• Limit medication and supplement use
• Drink plenty of water
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid exposure to toxins
• Get regular check-ups

Your liver is vital organ for maintaining your overall health and well-being. By understanding the functions of the liver, the causes of liver problems, and following the tips mentioned above, you can take steps to prevent liver problems and ensure a healthy liver. Remember, a healthy liver can help you live longer.