According to the Mayo Clinic, Liver disease can be inherited (genetic), but Liver problems can also be caused by a variety of factors that damage the liver, such as viruses, alcohol use and obesity.
Controllable factors that may increase your risk of liver disease include:
• Heavy alcohol use
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Exposure to other people’s blood and body fluids
• Unprotected sex
• Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins
According to the National Health Service, there are many different types of liver disease. You can help prevent some of them by maintaining a healthy weight and staying within the recommended alcohol limits, if you drink.
Some of the most common types of non-genetic liver disease include:
(Condition – Possible causes):
• Alcohol-related liver disease – regularly drinking too much alcohol
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – being very overweight (obese)
• Hepatitis – catching a viral infection, regularly drinking too much alcohol
• Primary biliary cirrhosis – may be caused by a problem with the immune system
How to reduce the risk of Liver Disease
According to the Mayo Clinic, to prevent liver disease (abbreviated):
• Drink alcohol in moderation.
• Get vaccinated for hepatitis.
• Use medications wisely.
• Avoid contact with other people’s blood and body fluids.
• Keep your food safe.
• Take care with aerosol sprays.
• Protect your skin.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
In the book “How Not to Die”, Doctor Greger gies this advice:
• Avoid excess calories, cholesterol, saturated fat, alcohol and sugar.
But on the positive side:
• Berries, grapes, plums, red cabbage, red onions, and coffee are protective of the liver.
Link to my post on “How Not to Die”
Link to my post on “Alcohol”