The liver has been one of the main important organ in the human body, which provide numerous function to the body, such as of making proteins and blood clotting factors, manufacturing of triglycerides and cholesterol. Aside from being the body's largest internal organs, it is responsible for hundreds of chemical actions which the body needs in order to survive.
Apart from that, the liver also acts as a storage unit such as storing vitamins, which the body requires as a building block. This liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs. As it is so, the liver secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines.
Aside from the wide known functions of the liver, the increasing rate of liver damage or failure is on the rise year in year out. So here, we take look at the what habits that can damage your liver.
1 Large doses of iron
Taking more iron supplements than recommended can cause serious liver damage. This is because the body has no way of eliminating excess iron, so it accumulates in the organs and tissues, including the liver. Too much iron can cause liver scarring which in some cases can lead to cirrhosis, a condition where the liver slowly deteriorates and malfunctions. Excess iron can also increase a person’s risk of developing liver cancer. According to the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia recommend no more than 45mg of Iron per day for men and women aged fourteen years and above. Lower amounts of iron are recommended for children under the age of fourteen. Only take iron supplements if recommended by your doctor.
Haemochromatosis is a disease where there is too much iron is in the body. It is the most common form of iron overload disease.
2 Increased dosage of supplements
A varied diet generally provides enough of the vitamins and minerals needed every day. However, some people may need supplements to correct deficiencies of particular vitamins or minerals. High-dose supplements should not be taken unless recommended by a medical practitioner.
If you are the type that does take supplements, you should keep in mind that, many could have side-effects which could cause damage to your liver. A good idea is to write a list of all the supplements you take and seek advice from your doctor.
3 Cigarettes
If you smoke cigarettes there’s a chance that you are causing damage to your liver. Smoking increases your risk of developing liver cancer and decreasing your liver’s ability to rid your body of dangerous toxins. In turn, this could leave you more susceptible to the damaging effects and also to your immediate environment.
4 Cannabis
Frequent use of cannabis has been shown to contribute to liver damage. As well as this, research has shown that the use of cannabis may suppress immune function and enhance the development of the disease. With this in mind, avoiding frequent use of cannabis is advised. People who have hepatitis C and use cannabis every day are more likely to have severe fibrosis which can then lead to cirrhosis of the liver. If you have been diagnosed with hepatitis C, you may have heard that occasional or light use of cannabis has been shown to help some people deal with treatments and side-effects. However, if you are considering using cannabis during treatment you should also be aware that it may do more harm than good and discuss it with your specialist.
5 Illicit drugs
All drugs have the potential to put stress on your liver. While heroin and morphine are not toxic to the liver, the substances that they are mixed with can be. What’s more, intravenous drug use is particularly renowned for transmitting infection and diseases such as hepatitis B and C. There is also evidence to suggest that hallucinogenic mushrooms contain many chemicals that the liver cannot tolerate, while amphetamines (speed) can damage your liver and cocaine and ecstasy can cause liver toxicity and even liver failure.
6 Some herbal remedies
Many herbs and herbal remedies are known to be toxic to your liver. Here’s a list of the most common herbal toxins: Barberry, black cohosh, chaparral, Chinese ginseng, comfrey, creosote bush, germander, gordoloba yerba tea, greasewood, greater celandine, false pennyroyal, Jamaican bush tea, Jin Bu Huan, Kombucha tea, mistletoe, Sho-Saiko-to, pennyroyal oil (squawmint oil), sassafras, senna, skullcap and valerian combined and white chameleon.
7 Large doses of vitamin A
Did you know, a massive 50% to 80% of your body’s total vitamin A source is stored in the liver? That’s why excessive consumption can cause damage to your liver. The highest recommended daily intake of Vitamin A depends on your age and sex. If you have a high alcohol intake, pre-existing liver disease, high cholesterol or severe protein malnutrition the safe level of vitamin A intake may be lower for you. For adults, the safe daily intake of vitamin A is around 3,000 micrograms – this is much lower for children and adolescents. Consult your doctor for more detailed information.
8 Some prescription medicines
The liver plays a huge role in processing medications, and there are some prescribed medications that contain higher levels of toxins than others such as; codeine, corticosteroids -steroid medication taken to reduce inflammation, tetracycline - a group of antibiotics, Benzodiazepines – depressant drugs commonly prescribed to relieve stress and anxiety can also harm the liver. Some of these drugs include Valium (diazepam) and Restoril (temazepam) which should be taken with caution. Take your medications as directed by your doctor. Keep in mind that many of these medicines are safe to take in prescribed doses provided you don’t have an advanced liver disease.
9 Abuse of paracetamol
When used as directed, paracetamol is generally safe, even for those with liver disease. However unless recommended by a doctor taking too much paracetamol at once, or taking normal or high doses over a prolonged period of time, can cause liver damage.
10 Salt
You probably know that high salt intake can increase your blood pressure, but did you know that high blood pressure can contribute to fatty liver disease? Talk to your doctor about medications that can help keep your blood pressure under control. Weight gain, obesity, fatty foods and saturated fats are also common causes of liver damage and liver disease.
CULLED: www.liveyourliver.com
Apart from that, the liver also acts as a storage unit such as storing vitamins, which the body requires as a building block. This liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs. As it is so, the liver secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines.
Aside from the wide known functions of the liver, the increasing rate of liver damage or failure is on the rise year in year out. So here, we take look at the what habits that can damage your liver.
1 Large doses of iron
Taking more iron supplements than recommended can cause serious liver damage. This is because the body has no way of eliminating excess iron, so it accumulates in the organs and tissues, including the liver. Too much iron can cause liver scarring which in some cases can lead to cirrhosis, a condition where the liver slowly deteriorates and malfunctions. Excess iron can also increase a person’s risk of developing liver cancer. According to the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia recommend no more than 45mg of Iron per day for men and women aged fourteen years and above. Lower amounts of iron are recommended for children under the age of fourteen. Only take iron supplements if recommended by your doctor.
Haemochromatosis is a disease where there is too much iron is in the body. It is the most common form of iron overload disease.
2 Increased dosage of supplements
A varied diet generally provides enough of the vitamins and minerals needed every day. However, some people may need supplements to correct deficiencies of particular vitamins or minerals. High-dose supplements should not be taken unless recommended by a medical practitioner.
If you are the type that does take supplements, you should keep in mind that, many could have side-effects which could cause damage to your liver. A good idea is to write a list of all the supplements you take and seek advice from your doctor.
3 Cigarettes
If you smoke cigarettes there’s a chance that you are causing damage to your liver. Smoking increases your risk of developing liver cancer and decreasing your liver’s ability to rid your body of dangerous toxins. In turn, this could leave you more susceptible to the damaging effects and also to your immediate environment.
4 Cannabis
Frequent use of cannabis has been shown to contribute to liver damage. As well as this, research has shown that the use of cannabis may suppress immune function and enhance the development of the disease. With this in mind, avoiding frequent use of cannabis is advised. People who have hepatitis C and use cannabis every day are more likely to have severe fibrosis which can then lead to cirrhosis of the liver. If you have been diagnosed with hepatitis C, you may have heard that occasional or light use of cannabis has been shown to help some people deal with treatments and side-effects. However, if you are considering using cannabis during treatment you should also be aware that it may do more harm than good and discuss it with your specialist.
5 Illicit drugs
All drugs have the potential to put stress on your liver. While heroin and morphine are not toxic to the liver, the substances that they are mixed with can be. What’s more, intravenous drug use is particularly renowned for transmitting infection and diseases such as hepatitis B and C. There is also evidence to suggest that hallucinogenic mushrooms contain many chemicals that the liver cannot tolerate, while amphetamines (speed) can damage your liver and cocaine and ecstasy can cause liver toxicity and even liver failure.
6 Some herbal remedies
Many herbs and herbal remedies are known to be toxic to your liver. Here’s a list of the most common herbal toxins: Barberry, black cohosh, chaparral, Chinese ginseng, comfrey, creosote bush, germander, gordoloba yerba tea, greasewood, greater celandine, false pennyroyal, Jamaican bush tea, Jin Bu Huan, Kombucha tea, mistletoe, Sho-Saiko-to, pennyroyal oil (squawmint oil), sassafras, senna, skullcap and valerian combined and white chameleon.
7 Large doses of vitamin A
Did you know, a massive 50% to 80% of your body’s total vitamin A source is stored in the liver? That’s why excessive consumption can cause damage to your liver. The highest recommended daily intake of Vitamin A depends on your age and sex. If you have a high alcohol intake, pre-existing liver disease, high cholesterol or severe protein malnutrition the safe level of vitamin A intake may be lower for you. For adults, the safe daily intake of vitamin A is around 3,000 micrograms – this is much lower for children and adolescents. Consult your doctor for more detailed information.
8 Some prescription medicines
The liver plays a huge role in processing medications, and there are some prescribed medications that contain higher levels of toxins than others such as; codeine, corticosteroids -steroid medication taken to reduce inflammation, tetracycline - a group of antibiotics, Benzodiazepines – depressant drugs commonly prescribed to relieve stress and anxiety can also harm the liver. Some of these drugs include Valium (diazepam) and Restoril (temazepam) which should be taken with caution. Take your medications as directed by your doctor. Keep in mind that many of these medicines are safe to take in prescribed doses provided you don’t have an advanced liver disease.
9 Abuse of paracetamol
When used as directed, paracetamol is generally safe, even for those with liver disease. However unless recommended by a doctor taking too much paracetamol at once, or taking normal or high doses over a prolonged period of time, can cause liver damage.
10 Salt
You probably know that high salt intake can increase your blood pressure, but did you know that high blood pressure can contribute to fatty liver disease? Talk to your doctor about medications that can help keep your blood pressure under control. Weight gain, obesity, fatty foods and saturated fats are also common causes of liver damage and liver disease.
CULLED: www.liveyourliver.com
10 Factors That Could Damage Your Liver
Reviewed by Ridwan
on
September 17, 2018
Rating:
Reviewed by Ridwan
on
September 17, 2018
Rating:
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