How to maintain liver health?

From the Guidelines

To maintain liver health, it is essential to focus on a balanced lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and limited alcohol consumption, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1. The key to liver health lies in making informed lifestyle choices.

• Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is crucial, while reducing intake of processed foods, sugar, and saturated fats.
• Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, which helps prevent fatty liver disease, as recommended by the American Gastroenterological Association 1.
• Limit alcohol to no more than one drink daily for women and two for men, as excessive alcohol is a primary cause of liver damage.
• Staying hydrated with 8-10 glasses of water daily helps the liver flush toxins.
• Maintaining a healthy weight is vital, as obesity increases the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Avoiding unnecessary medications, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol), which should be limited to no more than 3,000 mg daily, can prevent liver damage.
• Getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B prevents viral liver infections.
• Regular health check-ups with liver function tests can detect problems early, allowing for timely intervention. The liver is remarkably resilient and can regenerate when given proper care, but chronic damage can lead to irreversible scarring (cirrhosis), making prevention through these lifestyle choices essential for long-term liver health, as emphasized in recent clinical practice updates 1. Some of the most beneficial dietary patterns for liver health include the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as high in fiber from whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds, as highlighted in studies 1. Additionally, limiting excess fructose consumption and avoiding processed foods and beverages with added fructose can help prevent and manage non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as recommended in practical dietary guidelines 1. Overall, adopting a healthy lifestyle and making informed dietary choices can significantly contribute to maintaining liver health and preventing liver disease, as supported by the latest evidence 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

WARNINGS Liver warning: This product contains acetaminophen. Severe Liver damage may occur if you take • more than 6 caplets in 24 hours, which is the maximum daily amount • with other drugs containing acetaminophen • 3 or more alcoholic drinks everyday while using this product Ask a doctor before use if you have liver disease.

To maintain liver health, it is essential to:

• Avoid taking more than the recommended daily amount of acetaminophen (6 caplets in 24 hours) 2
• Not take acetaminophen with other drugs containing acetaminophen 2
• Limit alcoholic drinks to less than 3 per day while using acetaminophen 2
• Consult a doctor before use if you have liver disease 2

From the Research

Liver Health Maintenance

To maintain liver health, it is essential to understand the factors that contribute to liver disease. According to 3, chronic liver disease is a significant global health problem, and steatotic liver disease (SLD) from metabolic dysfunction and alcohol is becoming increasingly important causes.

• Physical Activity: Regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of SLD, as stated in 3.
• Healthy Dietary Patterns: Eating a healthy and balanced diet can help prevent SLD, as mentioned in 3.
• Alcohol Use: Limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption can help reduce the risk of SLD, as stated in 3.
• Obesity: Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of SLD, as mentioned in 3 and 4.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

NAFLD is a common condition associated with metabolic syndrome, as stated in 4. It is characterized by excess lipids in hepatocytes, due to excessive fatty acid influx from adipose tissue, de novo hepatic lipogenesis, in addition to excessive dietary fat and carbohydrate intake, as mentioned in 5.

• Weight Loss: Weight loss is the primary treatment for obese patients with NAFLD, as stated in 4.
• Medications: Medications used to treat insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and obesity have been shown to improve transaminase levels, steatosis, and histologic findings, as mentioned in 4.
• Nutritional Implications: Nutritional modifications, such as antioxidant food agents, can help improve NAFLD and its complications, as described in 5.

Interaction with Other Liver Diseases

The interaction between NAFLD and other liver diseases, such as hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, can affect the progression of liver disease, as stated in 6 and 7.

• HCV Infection: Steatosis is present in almost 50% of patients infected by HCV, and hepatic steatosis in the setting of HCV is associated with liver disease progression, as mentioned in 6.
• HBV Infection: HBV infection combined with NAFLD can promote the progression of liver fibrosis, especially in patients with severe steatosis, as stated in 7.