Healthy Liver Function - The Secrets To A Life Long Healthy Liver

Most liver problems, diseases, and damage are self inflicted. The number 1 cause for liver damage is lack of nutrition due to excessive alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol is not only extremely hard on the liver, but it can remove all nutrients from the body in the process. However, this is not the only way to damage a liver. There are several other liver specific diseases and ways to prevent catching them.

First of all, there are some liver diseases that are highly contagious. The most obvious question then becomes "how do I avoid infection". Well, by practicing safe lifestyle habits, many can be avoided, but since it is possible to catch a virus, bacteria, or even parasite that can damage the liver, it is sometimes necessary to treat any damage after it has been done.

Also, there are a variety of environmental factors that can increase the likelihood of liver damage. These include prescription drug use, illicit drug use, nutritional deficiencies, accidental poison ingestion, or even physical injuries such as a car accident or gun shot.

There are a few basic ways to protect yourself from the typical communicable liver disorders, like using proper hygiene, practicing safe sex, and regular washing when traveling abroad. One common problem around the world is water systems that are not filtered well enough to catch all the bacteria and viruses that live in water. In these countries, it is better if you avoid tap water all together.

Always wash your hands after any POSSIBLE contact with human waste. This means if you use the restroom, or change a diaper, you need to wash your hands. Illegal drugs should be avoided, because of the damage they can cause directly to the liver, not to mention the risk of sharing needles and catching an infectious disease. And of course the biggest single liver risk, alcohol, should be absolutely minimized or avoided completely. Keep personal hygiene items personal, and don't share toothbrushes, nail clippers, razors, etc.

Another important aspect of having a healthy liver is nutrition. The liver is the bodies filter, and it cannot filter properly unless it is fully able to use all the minerals and vitamins necessary to aid in this filtering. To do this, it is going to be important to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. If this isn't always possible, you should take a vitamin or mineral supplement to ensure you are getting the correct amount of all the recommended daily dose of vitamins and minerals.

This should work to keep a healthy liver for the vast majority of people. However, there are a small percentage of people who have metabolic disorders, or even a congenital defect of the liver. People with metabolic disorders will have a problem with their body properly using vitamins and minerals...due to the inability to process them. People with congenital defects are usually born with a liver problem because of birth defects or a genetic component. Both of these can be difficult to treat, however it doctors screen for congenital defects early on, and metabolic disorders can be tested for based on the symptoms the present.

Other than rare exceptions, most liver problems are easily avoided by simply avoiding drugs and alcohol, eating right, and having healthy habits (such as hand washing). The good news is, if you eat right and live right, your immune system should be strong enough to fight of most infections that could cause any damage to your liver.