Love Your Liver
The American Liver Foundation has put together this list of 25 things you should know to help you live a healthy, happy life. For more information, you can contact us at info@liverfoundation.org or call us at 1-800-465-4837, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 7 pm EST.
- Avoid taking unnecessary medications. Too many chemicals can harm the liver.
- If you are a baby boomer, get tested for Hepatitis C today.
- Don’t mix medications without the advice of a doctor. Mixing medications could be poisonous to your liver.
- Drink alcohol responsibly.
- Never mix alcohol with other drugs and medications.
- Be careful when using aerosol cleaners. The liver has to detoxify what you breathe in. Make sure the room is well ventilated or wear a mask.
- Bug sprays, paint sprays and all those other chemical sprays you use can cause harm as well. Be careful what you breathe.
- Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B and make sure your children are vaccinated as well.
- If you get a tattoo, make sure you only use single needles and ink pots. No sharing!
- Exercise regularly – walk a little further, climb the stairs.
- Don’t share personal use items such as combs, razors, and manicure tools.
- Teach your children what a syringe looks like and that they should leave it alone.
- If you received a blood transfusion prior to 1992, you may have hepatitis C. You should talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested.
- Use caution and common sense regarding intimate contact – hepatitis can be transmitted through blood.
- Eat a well-balanced, nutritionally adequate diet. If you enjoy foods from each of the food groups you will probably obtain the nutrients you need.
- Keep your weight close to ideal. Medical research have established a direct correlation between obesity and the development of fatty liver disease.
- Do not smoke.
- If you have any body piercing, check that the instruments used are properly sterilized or used only once
- Increase your intake of high-fiber foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, rice and cereals.
- At your annual physical, ask your doctor to do a complete liver blood analysis.
- Take the right dosage of medication – too much can cause trouble.
- Help someone else – sign an organ donor card.
- See your doctor for regular check-ups and share any information about health problems.
- Make a contribution to the American Liver Foundation to help further the work of the Foundation, including research.
- Remember liver disease can happen to anyone – from infants to the elderly. Do your part to stay healthy.
Last updated on July 12th, 2022 at 12:53 pm