A lot of people believe that liver gets damaged mainly as a result of alcohol abuse. However, obesity, the diet that we follow, lack of exercise and so forth contribute significantly to the development of liver diseases. Therefore, it is very important that we maintain awareness about the food items that threaten the long-term health of our livers. In this article, we will learn about 5 food items and substances that are known to harm our livers even more than alcohol.
1. Excessive Intake of Painkillers
Painkillers like Acetaminophen or Paracetamol are known to create acute failure of the liver and drug-induced liver injury or DILI. Liver plays a fundamental role in metabolising these drugs. Hence, what happens when we overwhelm the organ with frequent or heightened usage? Liver can be damaged as a result of cell necrosis and, in less severe cases, toxic hepatitis or inflammation.
2. High Fructose and Sugary Food Items
The excess sugar that we eat will overwhelm the metabolic abilities of the liver. As a result, it will get converted into fat. In medical terms, this process is known as de novo lipogenesis or DNL. When the the consumption of sugary foods go beyond the limits, we can get affected with fatty liver disease. Therefore, it is always recommended to reduce the consumption of cakes, candies, packaged juices and soft drinks.
3. Junk Foods and Processed Foods
These food items come to us with a lot of saturated fats and trans fats. These elements impose significant strain on the liver, leading to heightened fat accumulation and inflammation. Insulin resistance will also get heightened when we consume a lot of junk foods and processed foods, resulting in NAFLD or Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
4. Unverified Supplements
Some of the supplements that are marketed as “natural” for bodybuilding are filled with elements that are toxic to the liver. Furthermore, steroids should also be avoided for liver health. As a matter of fact, we should always confirm the ingredients that are contained in a supplement before we begin using it. We should also consult health experts or doctors for the same.
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