Liver Disease

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

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