Your Liver Protect It-There are common food sources, herbal supplements, vitamins, and pain relievers that can adversely affect your liver’s health.
Here is a list that you need to be aware of:
- Sugar
Too much sugar can harm your liver. The organ uses one type of sugar, called fructose, to make fat. Too much refined sugar and high-fructose corn syrup causes a fatty buildup that can lead to liver disease. Some studies show that sugar can be as damaging to the liver as alcohol, even if you’re not overweight. Please limit your intake of sugar.
- Herbs
Some people take an herb called kava kava for menopause symptoms or to help them relax. But studies show that it can keep the liver from working right. That can lead to hepatitis and liver failure. Some countries have banned or restricted the herb, but it’s still available in the U.S. You should always talk to your doctor before you take any herbs to make sure they’re safe.
- Too Much Vitamin A
Your body needs vitamin A, and it’s fine to get it from plants such as fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those that are red, orange, and yellow. But if you take supplements that have high doses of vitamin A, that can be a problem for your liver. Check with your doctor before you take any extra vitamin A because you probably don’t need it.
- Soft Drinks
Research shows that people who drink a lot of soft drinks are more likely to have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Studies don’t prove that the drinks were the cause. It is still a good idea to cut back on drinking a lot of sodas.
- Acetaminophen
When reaching for pain relivers be sure to take the right amount! If you accidentally take too much of anything that has acetaminophen — for instance, a pill for your headache and something else for your cold, and both have acetaminophen in them that can harm your liver. Check the doses and stay in the daily limits and you should be fine.
- Trans Fats
Trans fats are a man-made fat in some packaged foods and baked goods. A diet high in trans fats makes you more likely to gain weight. That’s not good for your liver. Check the ingredients list. Even if it says “0” grams of trans fat, it may still have a small amount, and that adds up.
- Less Alcohol
Many glasses can hold a lot more than one standard serving, which is 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of regular beer, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. If you drink, be sure to keep it moderate — that’s one drink a day for women and up to 2 per day for men.
We hope this information was helpful. We gathered this information from the WebMD website. Remember for all those minor illnesses or injuries, We at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the medical services we offer as well as skin care treatments.