Your Liver is Worth Paying Attention To. Here’s Why.
When you think about which vital organs to take care of, your heart and lungs may come to mind. Heart-healthy habits are extremely important, with heart disease being the top cause of death in the U.S. It’s also important to protect your lungs, with lung cancer being the deadliest form of cancer. There’s another organ that’s worth paying attention to: your liver. [1]
Over 100 million people in the U.S. have some form of liver disease and chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, was the 12th leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020. It’s also been more common in minority groups like Black/African American people than White people since the 1950s. [2]
What is liver disease?
Liver disease isn’t just one thing — there are many forms. Here are some of the most common:
Hepatitis viruses: an infection that causes liver inflammation and damage. It’s transmitted from person to person.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): excess fat in the liver that can have no symptoms. Causes are still being studied, but NAFLD is more common in older people and those who have obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or metabolic disorders.
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD): a group of liver diseases caused by heavy alcohol consumption. It can lead to cirrhosis — where scar tissue replaces healthy tissue and makes it hard for the liver to function — and liver cancer and failure.
Liver cancer: caused by hepatitis, NAFLD, ALD, and the resulting cirrhosis. [3]
Preventing liver disease
Genetics play a role in your risk for liver disease, but your lifestyle affects your risk, too. Here are healthy habits and how they can help manage risk factors:
Quit or cut back on drinking to help prevent ALD
Limit fat, sugar and salt to help prevent NAFLD
Get plenty of fiber to help your liver function
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help your liver function
Manage your medications
Partner with your doctor to review your risk factors, get necessary tests, and make a treatment and lifestyle plan that’s right for you
It’s important to take care of your liver. Your liver helps keep you healthy by processing what goes into your body, from food to medications. You can help prevent and manage diseases that affect your liver by practicing healthy habits and seeing your doctor regularly. [4]
1. An Update on Cancer Deaths in the United States CDC
2. How Many People Have Liver Disease? ALF
3. Liver Diseases ALF
4. Liver Wellness ALF