The liver is the second largest and the most complex organ in the human body, except for the brain. It is a key player in your body’s digestive system. Everything you have, including medicine, passes through the liver. It also secretes around 1000 ml of bile every day that contains salts needed for the digestion of fats and removes the toxic matter from the blood thus making it one of the vital organs of the human body. If the liver is damaged in the human body, it must be treated on time because a delay may cause liver diseases like Liver Cancer or Liver Cirrhosis.

Functions of Liver

The liver has a range of important and complex functions. Some of these functions are:

• Controls the cholesterol levels
• Regulates the blood sugar
• Fights illnesses and infections
• Removes the toxic matter from the body
• Produces bile, a digestive fluid that helps in the breakdown of fats
• Helps in the production of the body’s essential proteins
• Helps in the breakdown of insulin and other hormones in the body
• Breaks down the medications and drugs (including alcohol)
• Responsible for the manufacturing of triglycerides and cholesterol

Signs and Symptoms of Liver Diseases

• Yellowing of skin and eyes
• Abdominal swelling or prolonged pain
• Unexplained swelling in the legs and ankles
• Itchiness in the entire body
• Dark-colored urine discharge
• Chronic fatigue
• Vomiting or nausea
• Bloody or sometimes pale-colored stool
• Loss of appetite
• Tendency to get bruised easily

Causes of Liver Disease

• Unhealthy lifestyle or eating patterns
• Excessive consumption of alcohol or junk foods
• Having more than the usual weight
• Having Type 2 diabetes
• Family history (Liver diseases can be genetic or inherited)

How to keep your liver healthy

• Consume foods that are healthy for your liver like cabbage, carrot, broccoli, grapefruit, quinoa, and walnuts.
• Avoid unhealthy eating habits like consuming processed foods, sweets, and sodas.
• Avoid smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol.
• Perform physical exercises and yoga to maintain a healthy weight because obesity contributes to an unhealthy liver.

Preventive Measures

• Moderate the consumption of alcohol which means up to one drink a day for women and up to 2 drinks a day for an average man.
• Avoid risky behaviors like consumption of drugs or if you choose/plan to have tattoos or body piercings, be sure of safety and cleanliness.
• Get vaccinated for hepatitis. If you have been infected with any form of hepatitis virus and are not vaccinated yet, then you should consult a medical professional about getting the hepatitis vaccine.
• When on medications, be mindful of your medicines. Take prescribed drugs only when needed and recommended. Also, avoid having alcohol along with medicines.
• Avoid coming in contact with other people’s body fluids because the Hepatitis virus can be spread by accidental needle sticks or improper cleanup of body fluids or blood.
• Avoid toxins from cleaning or aerosol products, chemicals, insecticides, or additives, as they can directly affect the liver cells. When using aerosols, make sure you wear the mask and the space is well ventilated.

This World Liver Day, make sure you remember the vital organ – the liver and take good care of it.