Liver: ten rules to keep it healthy

We worry about our heart, our veins, our stomach; Especially in summer, for the skin or blood pressure, and in winter the bronchi and lungs gain the first places in our attention. But who knows why it is much rarer to think about the health of our liver.

Yet, it is a vital organ too, and if neglected it gets sick like everyone else. But it has a great advantage (which in some cases can turn into a defect): it almost never complains.

Despite performing over five thousand functions per minute, it manages to perform its tasks even when it is very damaged. And so, we forget about him, despite being assigned to essential tasks for our body: he converts food into nutrients and stores vitamins, minerals and sugars.

But that’s not all. From him are introduced into circulation substances essential to blood clotting and immune cells that protect us from infections. And, above all, it also takes on the thankless task of eliminating harmful substances and many of the drugs we take.

So let’s try to pay the utmost attention to what we eat and drink, also remembering that every substance we introduce passes, sooner or later, to the scrutiny of the liver.

Although today there are many more possibilities of treatment than in the past, to get results you must intervene as soon as possible. This is not easy since, in most cases, when the liver gets sick, it soon gives us warning signs.

And when there are, the symptoms are not very specific: soreness of the right side of the abdomen, a sense of swelling and drowsiness after meals, weight loss, weakness.

For this reason, experts warn, as always – and in the case of the liver even more – the most effective weapon is prevention.

But what are the worst enemies of our liver and the most correct behaviors to keep to take care of them?

In the first places there are hepatitis viruses (or rather hepatitis), alcohol and incorrect lifestyle habits, especially in nutrition. All factors that, even independently of each other, can slowly, but progressively, damage the liver, until it leads to cirrhosis. A very serious pathological state in which there is loss of normal liver function.

Here are ten rules that help us keep the liver in full working order. Many, in hindsight, are optimal for the health of the whole organism, but a few more tricks will help specifically.

1. Know the viruses involved

Viruses are the main cause of chronic liver disease. The best known and most widespread are those of hepatitis A, B and C.

To avoid the danger of contagion we must know that the first (the hepatitis A virus) is transmitted through contaminated drinks and foods, such as water, seafood, vegetables. We always pay attention to the state of hygiene of what we eat and drink.

Hepatitis B and C viruses are transmitted by the blood or body fluids of an already infected individual. Infections with these viruses are more dangerous than hepatitis A because they easily become chronic and, over time, induce cirrhosis. To avoid them, we do not share sharp tools (such as needles, scissors, razors, etc.) or very personal objects, such as toothbrushes, with people we do not know.

2. Beware of piercings and tattoos…

Piercings and tattoos are not to be banned, but must be performed in controlled facilities: unsterilized instruments can be a source of contagion. We therefore check that they are disposable and sterile and that the environment is clean.

3. … and casual sexual intercourse

Hepatitis B is also sexually transmitted. We therefore avoid exposing ourselves to unnecessary risks and use condoms. It is important to always keep in mind that B and C virus infections are often symptom-free, so perhaps, not even the infected partner knows they are. The condom, moreover, also protects us from all other diseases that are transmitted by sexual route, including AIDS.

4. Balanced nutrition

Although they are the biggest culprits, fats are not the only foods that, if taken in excess, can damage the liver.

Even animal proteins and simple sugars if not “burned” can overload the liver. And over time induce the appearance of a condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or fatty liver.

Which in turn in the long run turns into cirrhosis. Green light then to fruits and vegetables, and pay attention to fatty or fried foods.

5. That glass too much

Until 30 years ago, alcohol was considered the main culprit of chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis and liver cancer. As we have seen, it is not the only one, but prolonged abuse invariably leads to liver damage. It is not said to give up completely, but experts agree in recommending not to exceed a glass of wine (or a mug of beer) per meal for men. A little less for the woman.

6. The inevitable physical activity

Moving is healthy in many ways, and there is no doctor who does not remind us of it. And, in addition, it helps to normalize the level of triglycerides, which derive from dietary fats but also from an excess of sugars, which can accumulate in liver cells damaging them.

Regular exercise increases calorie consumption by preventing an excess of lipids from accumulating.

7. Drugs at the bar

It must be remembered that almost all drugs are processed by the liver which can therefore be affected, especially in the case of prolonged intake.

Therefore: do not abuse it, do not take higher doses than those prescribed by your doctor or indicated in the package leaflet, do not Never mix different drugs without the advice of a doctor and never take alcohol and medication together: their combination can be very toxic to the liver.

8. Drugs? No thanks

Drugs are typically very toxic to the liver and can cause permanent damage. If, then, they are associated with other harmful substances, such as alcohol, they can even be lethal. Not to mention that the use of drugs by injection exposes (through the exchange of syringes) also to the risk of contracting hepatitis B and C, as well as other fearsome viruses, such as HIV.

9. Get vaccinated: the best prevention

Vaccinations are, to date, the most effective method of fighting viral diseases. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines for all human virus diseases, but for hepatitis A and B there are, and they are effective and well established. Since 1991, vaccination against the hepatitis B virus has been made mandatory for children, but adults who are at risk should also do so.

The vaccination schedule for infants provides for three doses of vaccine, according to the timing shown in the following table:

10. Search for spies in the blood

There are, in general, certain enzymes produced by the liver that are altered when the organ is suffering. These are transaminases (especially GPT or ALT). Regularly performing a blood test by checking the levels of these enzymes can warn us early of the presence of a liver disorder, thus giving the maximum possibilities to treatment.