STOP SCROLLING: Your Liver Works Every Day—Are You Taking Care of It?
Many people don’t think about their liver until there is a problem. But your liver is one of the body’s most important organs.
What does the liver do?
Think of your liver as one of your body’s main processing centres. It helps:
Process nutrients from the food you eat
Store energy and certain vitamins
Make substances your body needs
Help remove waste products from the blood
Support digestion by producing bile
What can affect liver health?
Some things that can increase the risk of liver problems include:
Excessive alcohol use
Being overweight or having excess body fat
Diabetes and metabolic problems
Hepatitis infections
Some medicines or harmful substances
Poor diet and lack of physical activity
Don’t wait for symptoms
Some liver conditions may cause few or no symptoms in the early stages.
When symptoms do occur, they can include:
Unusual tiredness
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Abdominal discomfort
Yellowing of the eyes or skin
Dark urine
Yellow eyes/skin, severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, confusion, or swelling of the abdomen require prompt medical attention.
How can you support your liver?
Eat a balanced diet with vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy proteins.
Drink enough water.
Stay physically active.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Avoid excessive alcohol.
Don’t take medicines or herbal products unnecessarily—some substances can actually damage the liver.
Your liver may be working quietly every day, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.
Want to learn more about nutrition and healthy living?
