LIFESTYLE NEWS - The liver has numerous essential functions and it is therefore imperative to take good care of it - something we conveniently tend to forget during the summer break!
Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly help the liver to work well. Eating an unhealthy diet can lead to liver disease. For example, a person who eats a lot of fatty foods is at higher risk of being overweight and having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Eat foods from all the food groups: grains, protein, dairy, fruits, vegetables and fats.
Eat foods that have a lot of fibre such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, rice and cereals and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Alcohol can damage or destroy liver cells and liver damage can lead to the build-up of fat in your liver (fatty liver), inflammation or swelling of your liver (alcoholic hepatitis), and/or scarring of your liver (cirrhosis). For people with liver disease, even a small amount of alcohol can make the disease worse. Talk to your doctor about what amount of alcohol is right for you.
Liver does a lot
Functions of the liver include cleansing the blood by metabolizing alcohol and other drugs and chemicals, and neutralizing and destroying poisonous substances.
It regulates the supply of body fuel by producing, storing and supplying quick energy (glucose) to keep the mind alert and the body active, and producing, storing and exporting fat.
It manufactures many essential body proteins involved in transporting substances in the blood, clotting of blood, and providing resistance to infection. It also regulates the balance of many hormones and regulates body cholesterol and the supply of essential vitamins and minerals such as iron and copper.
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