How To Maintain A Healthy Liver

Liver, which is the second largest and the most complex organ in the body, after the brain, can be easily damaged if not taken good care of, said experts. The liver is a key player in our body's digestive system, and helps in proper digestion, metabolism, removal of toxins, and nutrient storage. The organ plays a vital role in affecting our overall health and wellness, thus to improve its functioning to prevent damage, a healthy lifestyle is important, the health experts said. "A healthy liver is the key to a long life term. With slight changes in lifestyle you can maintain good liver health," said Dr Ameet Mandot, Senior consultant and Clinical lead - Adult Hepatology and Liver Transplant unit - Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai. "Maintaining the health of the liver is quite necessary as it performs many functions and plays a vital role in the human digestive system. Everything you eat or drink passes through the liver. You cannot survive without a liver. It is an organ that can be easily damaged if you don't take good care of it," added Dr. Abhishek Deepak, Senior Consultant - Gastroenterologist at Sharda Hospital, Greater Noida. The health experts explained that leading an unhealthy lifestyle - with improper diet, lack of physical activity, being overweight, can all lead to conditions like diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, and abnormal cholesterol levels. All these are major risk factors for developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which then progresses to liver cirrhosis -- late-stage liver disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue and the liver is permanently damaged. Mandot suggested maintaining a healthy diet along with weight management. "Avoid fatty foods, exercise regularly, consume alcohol responsibly and in moderation, cut down or stop smoking, avoid use of illicit drugs," Mandot noted. According to Dr. Gaurav Gupta, Consultant & Chief Surgeon, Department of Liver Transplant & HPB Surgery, Fortis Hospital Mulund, not drinking enough water, taking stress as well as taking some painkillers and other drugs may also contribute to liver disease. Gupta said that "painkillers containing acetaminophen, paracetamol, and narcotics; sleeping pills; stimulants/ADHD drugs like ritalin, amphetamine; and cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy," can easily surpass a safe threshold of liver tolerance and can cause significant damage to the organ. "Intravenous drugs can transmit infections like hepatitis B and C, which can also lead to chronic liver disease and even liver cancer," he added. The experts also suggested to avoid use of contaminated needles, getting proper medical care if exposed to blood, do not share personal hygiene items, practice safe sex, wash hands, follow directions on all medications and importantly get vaccinated. Read More► How Exercise Keeps Dementia at Bay

Liver disease has become a lifestyle disease in India, with the incidence of non-alcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver disease now much higher than hepatitis B virus as the main cause of liver disorders, said experts here ahead of the World Liver Day. World liver day is observed on every April 19, to spread awareness about liver related disease. The liver is the second largest and the most complex organ in the body, after the brain. It is a key player in our body's digestive system. Fatty liver condition occurs when fat builds up in the liver that can cause liver inflammation, and damage your liver and create scarring. In severe cases, the scarring can lead to liver failure. Among people who drink a lot of alcohol, the condition is known as alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), while among those who don't drink a lot, it's metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), earlier known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MAFLD is associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Lifestyle changes involving obesity, sedentary lifestyle, food rich in sugar, calories and fat, and alcohol are the main reasons behind the poor liver health. According to Dr Bhaskar Nandi, HOD - Liver & Digestive Sciences, Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, till a few decades back, the most common cause of chronic liver disease in India was hepatitis B infection, that led to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. "However, fatty liver, a metabolic disorder, now constitutes the largest burden of liver disease today due to changing lifestyle of people," he said. Nandi added that as many as "80 per cent of people coming for an ultrasound checkup today are found to have fatty liver disease". While about one in three of these will progress to chronic liver disease, liver cancer, cirrhosis, or end-stage liver disease, it is difficult to predict which ones will fall in that one-third bracket. "India is seeing a significant rise in liver problems due to lifestyle changes. To fight liver disease, it is necessary to change our lifestyle - proper and healthy diet, exercise, avoid drinking alcohol or drink in moderation, increasing our screening," Dr. Pankaj Puri, from Fortis Escorts Liver and Digestive Diseases Institute, told IANS. Often liver disease goes undiagnosed for years, as the initial stages generally have no symptoms and people feel well, and routine blood tests may not show liver abnormalities. Globally, liver condition is seen in about 25 per cent or one in four adults that often goes undiagnosed, raising the risk for heart disease, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement. Nandi said that liver disease is fast becoming a public health problem for India. In 2015, acute and chronic liver diseases accounted for 2 million deaths worldwide, 18 per cent of whom were from India. The burden of liver disease has consistently been increasing in the country since then. While hepatitis B vaccination is commonly given to children for immunisation, it is not popular among adults. "Every year, more than 115,000 people die in India due to hepatitis B related complications. About 4 crore people in the country are carriers of this virus but remain asymptomatic and unaware of the risk they pose to others," Nandi said. "Unlike in the West where main causes of transmission of hepatitis B virus include infected needles and sexual contact, in India, the spread is due to horizontal transmission by staying in proximity with an infected individual, like a family member who is asymptomatic," he noted. Read More► How Exercise Keeps Dementia at Bay

While everyone wishes to have ideal body weight and a healthy body, it is one of the tasks that require the most practice. To establish a base for ideal body weight, one must successfully maintain a healthy, calorie-controlled diet combined with adequate physical activity which should be followed on a consistent basis. Additionally, to ensure a strong immunity, a healthy lifestyle, and an ideal weight, one must make permanent changes in the day to day eating and health habits. These things are pivotal because they can determine the choices we will make for our body and these choices can then decide the path for our ideal body weight. These three yet noteworthy lifestyle changes can leave a lasting impact on our body weight and health in general: Healthy Eating While it is no secret that eating healthy is the first step toward a healthy lifestyle, it is even one of the most crucial ones as well. To ensure consistency in weight management, one needs to follow an eating pattern that can promote weight maintenance while allowing for appetite satisfaction. One way is to make sure that you can lower your calorie intake and keep a check on your food consumption. By using a food journal or food activity app, one can monitor each item that's consumed. Additionally, one must ensure to eat more nutrient based foods fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Moreover, one must abstain from unhealthy snacking or binge eating by keeping portion control. By striving for variety in nutritious food items, one can achieve their goals without giving up their favourite foods. Activeness The secret behind regular exercise is that it not only allows for calorie restriction, but it can also even help give one a weight-loss and weight management edge. By helping one burn off the excess calories, staying active via regular exercise is the best lifestyle change one can adopt. It also offers numerous health benefits, including boosting your mood, strengthening your cardiovascular system and reducing your blood pressure. It is proven that to maintain weight loss over the long term, one needs to get regular physical activity. One can make a small lifestyle change through steady aerobic exercise - such as brisk walking - for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Additionally, one can even join pilates, take online dance classes or practice HIIT workouts. Similarly, one can be clever in getting more steps in by making several trips up and down stairs instead of using the elevator, or parking at the far end of the lot when shopping. One must always think about ways to increase physical activity throughout the day even if one can't fit in formal exercise on a given day. Positivity To make sure that one remains healthy and maintains the ideal weight, one must incorporate a perspective of positivity and self-care. It's not enough to just eat healthy foods and exercise, to ensure long-term and successful weight management, one has to go above and beyond. By combining a positive outlook with the right habits, one can make these a way of life to implement the required lifestyle changes. Firstly, one must realise their body requirements and then set a goal for themselves. Instead of being hard, one must gradually change habits and attitudes to make them move in the correct direction. Also, one must keep a track of their progress and move beyond any setbacks that may come in the way. In face of no immediate results, one must consistently ensure to stick to a healthy lifestyle and habits to witness the results that they want. (Nutritionist Pritika Bedi is the founder of Healthsake) Read More► Tips to Keep Your Eyes Safe at Work

Want to keep healthy and avoid the scorching summer heat, which is a common concern at this time of year? The summer heat is not only physically exhausting and uncomfortable, but it also puts us at risk for ailments like skin irritation, rashes, fever, dehydration, and food poisoning. While the summer heat is enjoyable, it is vital that we do not disregard our health. Extra care must be made to battle the heat and stay fit and healthy during this season. Consume Plenty of Water: Summer heat and sweat can dehydrate your body, resulting in unfavourable health outcomes such as fever and chills. Drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to keep yourself hydrated. Take Precautions to Avoid Heatstroke: Another major issue that older adults face during the hot summer months is heatstroke. The main reason that older adults are more vulnerable to this is that their bodies do not adjust to temperature changes as quickly. High fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness are all common symptoms of heatstroke. Light and Comfortable Attires: In the summer, it is best to dress in breathable and lightweight clothing to keep your body temperature regulated in the hot sun. Instead of heavy clothing, choose natural fabrics such as cotton and linen. Indoor Stays Are Best: Outdoor activities should be limited to the cooler parts of the day, such as early mornings before 11 a.m. or late evenings after 5 p.m. Eat Healthy And Light: Consume small, frequent meals. Heavy meals with high carbohydrate and fat content generate a lot of heat in the body. Concentrate on fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as oranges, watermelon, tomatoes, and so on. Protect Your Eyes: Wear protective eyewear to protect your eyes from the harsh sunlight at work and at play. When going outside, wear sunglasses that block at least 99 per cent of UV rays. Avoid Alcohol And Caffeine: Alcohol, fizzy drinks, and coffee can all dehydrate you quickly. If at all possible, try to limit your intake of these popular beverages, especially during hot weather. A good substitute is a plain or flavoured water.(Olivia Sarkar) Read More► How to Balance Your 'Doshas' During Summer?