Your liver is a vital organ that supports digestion, cleans toxins from your blood, produces bile to break down fats, and stores glucose for energy. Protecting it is essential for long-term health.

Healthy habits for liver health:

• Limit alcohol: Excessive drinking damages liver cells, leading to conditions like cirrhosis. Stick to one drink per day for women and two for men.

• Balanced diet and exercise: A healthy lifestyle helps prevent metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Medication and toxin awareness:

• Safe medicine use: Overuse of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or combining alcohol with certain drugs can harm your liver. Always check with your doctor about safe medication use.

• Avoid toxins: Limit exposure to harmful chemicals in cleaning products, insecticides, and cigarette smoke.

Preventing viral hepatitis:

• Hepatitis A: Spread through contaminated food or water, it is preventable with a vaccine.

• Hepatitis B and C: Transmitted through blood and bodily fluids. Practice safe hygiene, use protection during sex, and avoid sharing personal items.

Herbal remedies and coffee: Be cautious with supplements like green tea extract or ginseng, which may harm the liver. Interestingly, research suggests coffee may lower liver disease risk.

A healthy lifestyle and proactive care ensure your liver continues its vital work, helping you live a healthier life.