Taking care of the liver is important because it is responsible for many important bodily functions. Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: Istock
The liver is responsible for many vital functions in the body, such as digestion, detoxification, and metabolism. Keeping your liver in good shape helps avoid numerous health issues and contributes to your overall well-being. If one fails to seek timely intervention then there can be scarring of the liver (known as cirrhosis) and many even need liver transplantation to survive. Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: Istock
While liver cirrhosis is one of the diseases, there is a wide range of liver conditions that can affect people, from mild to life-threatening. These include hepatitis, liver cancer, and fatty liver disease. End-stage chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver failure, acute and chronic hepatitis, Biliary Atresia (a rare disease that occurs in infants), Budd-Chiari (a rare syndrome characterized by narrowing and obstruction (occlusion) of the veins of the liver (hepatic veins), liver cancer, bile duct cancer, hepatoblastoma and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) are some of the common liver problems seen in a large number of people. Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: Istock
People from all age groups such as children, adults, and elder people are the people who are at a higher risk of suffering from liver disease. Even pregnant women are vulnerable to suffering from liver disease. People above the age of 60 are more prone to liver issues due to a weakened immune system and other age-related health factors. Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: Istock
Fatty liver, also known as hepatic steatosis, happens when there's a build-up of excess fat in the liver. In some cases, it might be harmless, but if left undiagnosed or untreated, it can develop into more serious liver conditions like cirrhosis or liver cancer. It primarily results from an unhealthy lifestyle, with factors like poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity. To keep liver diseases at bay, eat a nutritious diet, quit smoking and alcohol, exercise daily, maintain an optimum weight, and take medication to manage diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol levels. Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: Istock
To support liver health, consume foods rich in antioxidants like fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats found in nuts and seeds, olive oil, and fatty fish. These foods help protect against inflammation, oxidative stress, and damage to the liver. Grapefruit is packed with antioxidants, blueberries and cranberries contain anthocyanins, antioxidants that can help to keep the liver healthy. Beetroot juice is rich in nitrates and antioxidants called betalains, which can tackle oxidative damage and inflammation and improve liver health. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cabbage, and cauliflower are high fiber content and good for the liver. Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: Istock
