The liver is one of the most vital organs of the body. It plays a key role in numerous physiological processes including digestion, metabolism and blood detoxification.
According to the American Liver Foundation, certain habits can affect the ability of the liver to repair itself. While loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, etc. are the common symptoms of liver damage.
Here are some habits that can damage your liver:
1. Alcoholism: Excess alcohol intake reduces the ability of the liver to remove toxins from the body. It will make the liver to focus mainly on converting alcohol to a less toxic form and will lead to inflammation and fatty liver disease.
2. Over-medication: Consumption of drugs in excess can gradually harm your liver and will lead to severe liver failure. High doses of acetaminophen, commonly available without prescription can cause liver damage when taken continuously for several days.
3. Sleeplessness: Our body usually goes into a repair and detoxification mode when we are sleeping. Lack of sleep can cause oxidative stress to the liver. So, try to get sound sleep of minimum eight hours a day.
4. Unhealthy diet: Avoid fatty foods and include fruits and vegetables in your diets. They are a good source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and selenium, which keep your liver healthy. Processed foods contain additives and artificial sweeteners.
5. Smoking: The chemicals present in cigarette reach the liver and cause oxidative stress producing free radicals that damage liver cells. It will also cause fibrosis, a process in which the liver develops excess scar-like tissues.
6. Obesity and Poor Nutrition: Your eating habits can affect your liver health directly. Eating too many wrong foods causes fats to build up in the liver. Accumulation of fats can lead to inflammation and liver damage.
7. Overdose of Nutritional Supplements: Even nutritional supplements and certain herbs are harmful for the liver in excess amount. An overdose of vitamin A can lead to liver damage.
