If you don't want to worry about your liver, you should do eight things and avoid five things to protect your liver

We often hear these liver-related words, such as:

Loyalty

Live and die

Loyal and Courageous

Heartbroken

…

The liver is located in the upper right part of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm and in the space surrounded by the ribs on the right.

It is like a huge factory, participating in the metabolism of sugar, fat and protein, the metabolism of vitamins, the detoxification process, and the secretion of bile...

It works diligently, but over time, it becomes riddled with holes due to people's intake of unhealthy food and development of bad living habits.

It is silent and will not protest or cry out in pain even if it is very uncomfortable, because it has no sense of pain.

As long as 1/3 of the liver cells are still functioning properly, the body cannot feel it.

Hepatitis is the disease that he is most likely to suffer from. It is a general term for liver inflammation caused by a variety of pathogenic factors such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, alcohol, drugs, chemicals, autoimmune abnormalities, etc. Both children and adults can get sick, among which viral hepatitis caused by viral infection is more common.

There are five types of viral hepatitis that have been identified, namely A, B, C, D and E. The most common type of viral hepatitis is hepatitis B , and hepatitis D requires the help of hepatitis B to infect humans.

If there is an obvious problem with the liver, what symptoms will the human body show?

1. Yellow eyes

Normal sclera is porcelain white. You may have heard of the word jaundice, which refers to a symptom caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood. Normally, bilirubin is metabolized by the liver and excreted from the body through bile.

However, when there is liver damage, bile duct obstruction, or excessive destruction of red blood cells, bilirubin can accumulate in the blood, giving the skin and eyes a yellow tint.

We often hear that people become less beautiful as they age, but in fact, beauty does not only fade as people age.

2. Dark complexion

Chronic liver disease can easily cause a dull and dark complexion due to the accumulation of metabolic waste in the body.

3. Liver palms appear

Liver palms refer to the appearance of red spots at the base of the thumb and little finger (i.e. the thenar and hypothenar eminence) of the palm. It is caused by the decrease in the liver's ability to metabolize estrogen, which leads to an increase in estrogen, stimulating the capillary congestion and expansion to form liver palms.

4. Spider nevus

If the liver function is significantly reduced, the "inactivation" effect on the estrogen secreted by the human body will be weakened, causing the estrogen level in the blood to rise, which will have an effect on enlarging and dilating the small arteries throughout the body, which will manifest as typical spider nevi on the skin.

The mole has a central point surrounded by radiating small blood vessel branches, and its shape resembles a spider, so it is called a spider nevus. It often appears on the face, neck, upper chest and other parts of the human body.

5. Easy to get tired

Damage to liver cells can lead to an increase in enzymes such as serum transaminases and a decrease in cholinesterase, which can cause symptoms such as fatigue, tiredness, lack of energy, and drowsiness.

Who are the main high-risk groups for liver cancer?

In my country, the high-risk groups for liver cancer mainly include:

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection,

Excessive drinking,

Liver disease associated with hepatic steatosis or metabolic dysfunction,

Dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1

People with cirrhosis caused by various other reasons and those with a family history of liver cancer, especially men aged >40 years[1].

To protect your liver, do eight things and avoid five

1. Eat a healthy diet

Eat a balanced diet, with both coarse and fine foods, eat less fried foods or foods with high fat content, eat less pickled and grilled foods, drink less sugary drinks, and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.

2. Exercise scientifically

Exercise can accelerate fat metabolism and reduce excess fat accumulation in the body.

3. Keep a regular work and rest schedule

People should stay up late less, protect their livers, plan their time in advance, and avoid staying up late to do homework.

4. Be in a good mood

Being angry all the time can easily lead to endocrine disorders, and the liver will also become "inflamed", so don't worry about your liver.

5. Pay attention to physical examination

Healthy adults are recommended to have a physical examination once a year.

People with chronic liver disease are recommended to undergo a check-up every 6 months, including liver function, liver color ultrasound, AFP, etc.

6. Pay attention to hygiene

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are mainly transmitted through blood, mother-to-child and sexual intercourse .

For example, blood transfusions, tattoos, sharing needles, sharing razors and toothbrushes, or having unprotected sex with infected people may lead to infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C. If the owner is unaware and does not receive timely treatment, the disease may develop into cirrhosis or even liver cancer, with disastrous consequences.

7. Get vaccinated

Among all hepatitis, three viral hepatitis are preventable by vaccine: hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis E.

Children and adults at risk of infection should be vaccinated against hepatitis B in a timely manner.

The hepatitis B vaccine requires three doses, and we call this immunization program "0-1-6".

8. Timely antiviral treatment

If you already have hepatitis B or hepatitis C, you need to seek medical attention promptly. Patients with chronic hepatitis B often need to take antiviral drugs for a long time.

Chronic hepatitis C patients can completely eradicate the virus by taking antiviral drugs for three months, but they still need regular screening, which can greatly reduce the risk of liver cancer.

Five things to avoid when protecting your liver

1. Avoid drugs that damage the liver

The use of drugs must be carried out under the guidance of doctors. Do not take drugs indiscriminately, use health products with caution, and do not take Chinese herbal medicines on your own. Drug-induced liver damage is also one of the common causes of liver disease.

Because its early clinical symptoms are mild and often ignored, it is necessary to avoid long-term use of hepatotoxic drugs and pay attention to regular monitoring of liver function during medication.

2. Avoid eating random foods

Hepatitis A and E are mainly transmitted through the fecal-oral route . If the water source or food is contaminated, it can cause an outbreak. Pay attention to food hygiene, do not drink unclean water, and try not to eat raw or undercooked seafood and meat to avoid diseases from the mouth.
3. Avoid drinking alcohol regularly

Chinese people like to drink to liven up their mood. However, excessive drinking can easily cause harm to me, leading to alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and even primary liver cancer.

The Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022) recommends:

Adult men and women should not consume more than 15g of alcohol per day.

Not drinking alcohol can better protect your liver.

Never say anything:

Drinking capacity is something you learn through practice, and it’s very likely that what you learn will lead to liver disease!

4. Avoid moldy food

Moldy peanuts, rice, etc. contain aflatoxin, so moldy food must be discarded and not eaten.

Aflatoxin B1 likes to live in spoiled grain and oil products, nuts and other foods rich in fatty acids, and likes dark and humid environments.

Unwashed chopsticks, cutting boards and drinking water may also be contaminated with aflatoxin.

5. Avoid discrimination

Hepatitis B virus carriers ≠ hepatitis B patients. Hepatitis B virus carriers refer to people who carry the hepatitis B virus in their bodies but do not show obvious symptoms or liver damage.

Daily work and life contacts such as eating together, hugging, and shaking hands do not spread hepatitis B.

We should abandon discrimination and prejudice against hepatitis B carriers.

Tips:

Whether it is hepatitis B or hepatitis C, once suspected infection occurs, you should go to a regular medical institution for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

Early detection and early treatment can prevent hepatitis from developing into cirrhosis or even liver cancer.

Take good care of your liver so that it can be full of vitality !

References

[1] Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer (2024 edition)[J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Surgery, 2024, 44(4): 361-386.

The author is an associate chief physician, registered dietitian,

Health manager, Healthy China Action speaker