6 Ways to Keep Your Liver Healthy

July 19, 2024

Your liver is a large, essential organ located in the upper right-hand side of your abdomen.

The liver performs many critical functions to keep you healthy, such as getting rid of toxins, producing bile, and storing energy. It also breaks down drugs, alcohol, and other toxins and helps with digestion.

If your liver is damaged, it can cause scarring and impair its functioning. But if caught early, it might be possible to reverse the damage.

Taking care of your liver can help prevent permanent damage. Let's explore how the six ways to keep your liver healthy for as long as possible.

1. Use Alcohol in Moderation (or avoid it completely!)

Excessive alcohol consumption can put stress on your liver and cause damage. You can give your liver a rest by either drinking alcohol moderately or not consuming alcohol at all.

Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. The volume of a standard drink can vary depending on the type of alcohol being consumed. For example:

360ml beer (5% alcohol)
150ml wine (12% alcohol content)
45ml hard liquor (40% alcohol content)

Fatty liver, the earliest form of alcohol-related liver disease, may be reversible by abstaining from alcohol for 4 to 6 weeks. However, in some cases, individuals with ALRD may need to abstain for a longer period or permanently.

Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to persistent liver damage, potentially resulting in cirrhosis, which is irreversible.

2. A Healthy Liver Calls for Healthy Body Weight

Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition where excess fat builds up in your liver. This can cause liver damage and inflammation, affecting how well your liver works.

To lower your risk of NAFLD, focus on keeping a healthy weight. The best ways to lose extra weight or stay healthy include:

Getting regular exercise
Eating a balanced diet
Controlling your portion sizes
Consider our Weight Loss + Energy supplement

For people with NAFLD, your doctor can work with you to help ease the strain on your liver. This typically involves a gradual weight loss program along with dietary changes.

3. Maintain a Liver Friendly Lifestyle

To give your liver a break, you can follow a liver-friendly lifestyle and eat a healthy diet, which includes the following habits:

Getting enough fibre from whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables
Opting for lean protein sources like seafood, skinless poultry, or legumes instead of fatty meats
Reducing consumption of foods or drinks high in sugars, salt, or unhealthy fats
Limiting intake of processed foods and choosing whole foods instead
Avoiding raw or undercooked shellfish
Drinking an adequate amount of water daily to stay hydrated.

4. Consume Foods That Are Good for Your Liver Health

The following are the best foods to eat to help keep your liver healthy.

Coffee

Coffee is one of the best beverages for promoting liver health. Studies have shown that drinking coffee can protect the liver from disease, even among those with health concerns related to this organ.

Tea

Tea is widely considered to have health benefits, especially for the liver. Studies show that drinking green tea can help prevent liver cancer and decrease high liver enzymes in people with liver disease.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit contains antioxidants that naturally protect the liver. Its protective effects occur in two ways: by reducing inflammation and protecting cells.

Blueberries and cranberries

Blueberries and cranberries contain anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that give the berries their distinctive colors. A 2021 study found that adding a cranberry supplement to your diet for six months can improve fatty liver in people with NAFLD.

Cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower are known for their high fibre content, distinctive taste, and rich in beneficial plant compounds.

Olive oil

Olive oil is a healthy fat with benefits for the heart, metabolic health, and the liver. A 2018 study suggests that a Mediterranean diet with olive oil may reduce the risk of fatty liver in older adults.

5. Have Regular Doctor Consultations

Regular check-ups with your doctor are essential for maintaining good health and catching any issues early.

Seeing your doctor on a regular basis will also help understand how to mitigate other high-risk behaviours regarding your liver, such as:

Preventing infections such as viral hepatitis

Hepatitis A, B, and C can cause inflammation of your liver, which in turn can lead to liver damage. You can lower your risk by getting vaccinated, using barrier methods during sex, avoiding sharing personal items, avoiding reusing needles, and ensuring tattoos and piercings are done with disposable needles and sterile equipment.

Monitoring your medications and supplements

Certain medications and supplements, including acetaminophen, NSAIDs, antibiotics, statins, epilepsy drugs, immunosuppressants, and certain herbal supplements, can strain your liver. Only take these when absolutely necessary, follow dosing instructions carefully, and avoid combining them with alcohol.

If you notice any early signs of liver damage, it's a good idea to see your doctor as soon as possible. They can assess your condition and create a treatment plan to care for your liver.

6. Use b.wellness Liver + Kidney Support Supplement

You can take our Liver + Kidney Support formula daily to provide the support your liver needs to reach its full potential. It may also help prevent damage to your kidneys.

This formula provides targeted support for your liver and kidneys and overall support for your bladder. It assists in eliminating toxins and waste products and reduces total cholesterol, water retention, and bloating.

Plus, it's packed with antioxidants to support detoxification, soothe digestion, enhance gut health, boost immunity, and increase vitality.