You probably know too much alcohol can deal damage to the
organ, but what about too much sugar? You need to see what’s on this list.
Sugar
Too much sugar isn’t just bad for
your teeth. It can harm your liver, too. The organ uses one type of sugar,
called fructose, to create fat. Too much refined sugar and high-fructose corn
syrup cause a fatty buildup that can lead to liver disease. Some studies show
that sugar can be as damaging to the liver as alcohol, even if you’re not
overweight. One more reason to limit foods with added sugars, like soda,
pastries, and candy.
MSG
(Monosodium Glutamate)
MSG enhances the flavor of many packaged
and prepared foods, from chips to diet drinks. (You might see it on a food
label as “hydrolyzed vegetable protein,” “yeast extract,” or “soy extract.”)
Still, some studies of animals suggest that the chemical may make the liver
fatty and inflamed, which can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
and liver cancer. Scientists need more research to know if MSG affects humans
the same way.
Comfrey
Comfrey is a shrub found in Europe
and Asia. Its leaves have a chemical that reduces swelling and keeps skin
healthy, so you can find it in some pain-relieving creams. But comfrey also has
substances that harm the liver. Don’t use a product that has it for more than
10 days at a time or for more than 6 weeks total in a year. Apply only very
small amounts, and never put it on broken skin.
Herbal
Supplements
Just because the label says
“natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe. One serious danger is kava kava, an herb that
can relieve menopause symptoms and help you relax. Studies show it can keep the
liver from working, causing hepatitis and liver failure. Some countries have banned
or restricted the herb, but it’s still available in the U.S. You should always
talk to your doctor before you take any herbs to make sure they’re safe.
Obesity
If you’re carrying around extra
weight, fat can also build up in your liver cells, which can lead to NAFLD. It
can make the liver swell. Over time, hardened scar tissue can replace healthy
tissue (a condition doctors call cirrhosis). People who are overweight or
obese, middle-aged, or have diabetes are at highest risk of NAFLD. There’s no
cure, but eating well and exercise can sometimes reverse the disease.
Too
Much Vitamin A
You can find vitamin A in eggs and
milk as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those that are red,
orange, and yellow. Many supplements also include it since it helps improve
vision, strengthen bones, and give a boost to your immune system. But in
very high doses, vitamin A is toxic to the liver. To stay safe, never take more
than 10,000 IU a day.
Unsterile
Tattoos
When you get a tattoo or body
piercing in a licensed, clean shop that sterilizes its equipment after each
customer, the chances you’ll get a serious infection like hepatitis C are low.
But if tools aren’t properly cleaned, your risk of hep C shoots up. The virus
spreads through contact with the blood of an infected person and causes
serious, sometimes lifelong liver illness. Check out the shop and its safety
record before you get inked.
Soft
Drinks
Scientists studied the diets of a
group of people with NAFLD, taking into account their weight, the amount of fat
in their blood, and if they had diabetes. One thing stood out: 80% of them
drank 2 or more soft drinks a day. It didn’t matter if it was calorie-free or
regular soda, which means an ingredient besides sugar could play a role in the
condition. There’s no hard evidence, but some researchers think artificial
sweeteners might be to blame.
Antidepressants
It’s rare, but some antidepressants
can harm your liver, even if you take them for only a few days. In some cases,
the damage can be deadly. Older people or anyone taking a lot of other meds are
at higher risk because their liver may be damaged already. If you’re taking
antidepressants, talk with your doctor to make sure you’re on the smallest dose
you need. Make sure you know the symptoms of liver illness to watch for.
Trans
Fats
Trans fats are a man-made fat common
in packaged foods and baked goods. (You’ll see them listed in the ingredients
as “partially hydrogenated vegetable oil” or “vegetable shortening.”) A diet
high in trans fats not only boosts your chances of gaining weight, it makes
severe liver disease with scar tissue more likely. In one study, mice that ate
a fast-food diet high in trans fats had liver damage after only 4 months.
Source: Web MD
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