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Isn’t it amazing to know that the liver performs more than 500 critical bodily functions in the human body? Various biochemical reactions, from protein synthesis to metabolising fat, occur in the liver. Furthermore, your body detoxifies with the help of the liver, where minerals and vitamins are stored. The liver is the essential organ for every human, so it becomes crucial to understand the day-to-day functioning and how it can get affected by activities you indulge in. Whatever you eat, drink, and lifestyle habits affect your liver's health.
Here we bring 5 surprising things that cause liver damage even if you don’t drink alcohol.
Habits that Can Damage Your Liver Even If You Don't Drink Alcohol
You might not think about how your lifestyle affects the health of your liver. The liver is one of the important organs in the human body. It helps filter waste out of your blood.
You probably don’t spend much time considering how your lifestyle affects your liver. If your lifestyle habits lead to gaining excessive weight, it may also collect fat inside its cells. Knowing about habits and what foods can damage your liver will save you and your rounds to the doctor. We have narrowed down 5 habits that can damage your liver even if you don't drink alcohol:
Sugar
Excessive sugar is not only bad for your teeth but also your liver. The liver uses only one type of sugar, fructose, to make fat. Consumption of too much-refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup builds up fat that can cause liver disease. Studies prove that sugar can be as harmful as alcohol is, even when you are not overweight. Thus, limiting foods with added sugars, such as cold drinks, candies, pastries, etc., is more important to keep the liver healthy.
Excessive Weight
Excessive weight and obesity have become major health concerns these days. When the extra fat starts building up in your liver cells, it leads to Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), resulting in swelling in the liver. Also, it may harden and scar liver tissue, and this condition is also called cirrhosis. You are most likely to suffer NAFLD if you are overweight, obese, or diabetic. You can turn everything around if you get watchful of your diet and exercise regularly.
Stress
Stress for an extended period over the years can cause liver damage. According to research, this organ is linked to the emotion of anger, so feeling too stressed or angry for a long time may lead to irreversible damage. Research has found a relationship between psychological stress and death due to liver problems.
Drinking Less Water
It is universally known that water helps to detoxify your body. The human body is made of 75% water, highly affected by dehydration. Your liver needs plenty of fluids to be up and running efficiently, and consuming less than the required amount will likely lead to liver problems. You may risk an increased risk of illness if you are dehydrated, as water helps the liver preserve its health.
Trans Fat Diet
These days taste is given more preference over health, and hence people are more inclined towards packed and processed foods with trans fats. Consuming excessive trans fats raises bad cholesterol levels in the body and leads to health conditions related to the heart. Trans fats also reduce good cholesterol levels, so being thoughtful about your dietary habits will go a long way without damaging your liver.
What is Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when excessive fat builds up in liver cells, and it isn’t caused due to alcohol intake. The liver usually has some fat; when more than 10 percent of its weight is only fat, it is considered a fatty liver. Fatty liver causes various health conditions that may get life-threatening if left untreated.
If you are overweight or obese, diabetic, or have high cholesterol or high triglycerides, you are most likely to develop nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, sometimes people may get fatty liver disease from poor lifestyle and eating habits or quick weight loss.
Fatty liver symptoms are diagnosed only when blood tests show increased levels of liver enzymes. It is also called simple fatty liver; there isn’t inflammation or liver cell damage in this condition. The condition could get serious when nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) develops in the liver. NASH is a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease that causes swelling and inflammation. This may cause scarring, resulting in liver cancer or cirrhosis.
If you have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, abnormal levels of triglycerides or are obese; you’re more likely to have NASH.
You can fix both simple fatty liver and NASH if you follow the below-mentioned practices for some time:
- Lose those extra pounds you have gained due to a sedentary lifestyle.
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle by eating a healthy and plant-based fatty liver diet plan.
- Follow regular and doctor-approved exercise.
Diagnosing liver infection symptoms in time could save you from health conditions that may result in life-threatening situations. Being conscious of things that damage your liver can lead you to a healthy life.
How Can Health Insurance for Liver Rescue You?
Medical emergencies strike abruptly and ask for immediate medical assistance. The cost of therapy can burn a hole in your pocket and deplete your savings. Most of your medical costs associated with treatment will be covered if you protect yourself with health insurance for your liver. Therefore, a critical insurance plan from Care Health Insurance is highly recommendable so that your financial burden is taken care of during any diagnosis related to the liver. Hence, proactive financial planning will safeguard your financial future by bringing you a calm mindset to help you combat the condition.
>> Also Read: liver diseases that put your health at stake
Disclaimer: The above-mentioned information is for reference purposes only. Please consult with your health practitioner in case of any queries.
