10 tips for a healthy liver

Delhi: The liver is the second-largest and a very complex organ of the human body.

We’ve all been guilty of ignoring our liver health at some point. We inadvertently abuse this vital organ in many ways.

Certain unhealthy habits such as eating fatty food, drinking alcohol and taking pills without a doctor’s prescription can cause significant damage to the organ.

• Exercise regularly and lead an active lifestyle: 150 minutes of physical activity per week or 10,000 steps per day can help prevent liver disease.
• Drink in moderation and limit your alcohol consumption.
• Maintain a balanced and healthy diet by eating fewer fatty foods and more fiber. Low carbohydrate, high dietary fiber, and omega-3-rich foods should be included in the diet. Coffee, nuts, fatty fish, and olive oil are all safe to consume. You must naturally detoxify your system by drinking plenty of fluids, snacking on healthy foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.
• Maintain a healthy body weight: Liver disease is caused by an unhealthy diet, so a weight loss of 5-10% should be sought, along with a 25% reduction in calories to attain a weekly weight decrease of 0.5-1 kg.
  Making small changes to your lifestyle and eating habits, such as eating a healthy breakfast first thing in the morning, reducing salt and fat intake and avoiding too much junk food is important for weight management.
• Get immunised against hepatitis A, B, and C.
• Use traditional medicine and remedies with caution.
• Avoid weight loss pills and fad diets.
• Use caution when following liver cleansing and detox diets. Contrary to popular belief, no specific diet has been shown to cleanse the liver. Please ask your doctor or a dietitian to assist you in developing a healthy diet.
• Take extra precautions if you have diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol. Type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and obesity all cause liver damage.
• Reduce or discontinue smoking.
  A liver scan (fibroscan) with consultation from a hepatologist is recommended if you have any problems.