Liver health: Take care of your liver, so it can take care of you

At your next primary care visit, you may want to ask about a checkup on your liver health. That’s because more and more people are developing a condition called metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).

Extra fat in your liver can damage the organ and put you at risk for serious health problems, including cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. This disease has no specific symptoms, which is why screenings are so important.

Your liver matters

Your liver is a powerhouse for your health. It is the largest internal organ – about the size of a football and weighs 3 to 4 pounds. Day in and day out, your liver gives you a natural detox by processing everything you eat or drink and acts as a warehouse for substances such as vitamins, minerals and glucose that your body needs.

Here are tasks your liver performs every day to keep your body functioning well:

• Convert food into energy
• Control the flow of nutrients in your body
• Filter toxins and bacteria
• Cleans your blood
• Fight infections
• Regulates fat storage and blood clotting factors
• Manages cholesterol, hormones and sugar

When your liver is damaged, it can’t function properly. It can become scarred or stiff from inflammation, which blocks blood flow in the liver.

Risk factors for MAFLD

You may be at higher risk of developing MAFLD if you have diabetes or metabolic syndrome, also known as insulin resistance. Additional risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Tests for liver disease

Your doctor may order a series of tests to screen for MAFLD.

FibroScan® imaging tests –This ultrasound test gives doctors a way to look inside your liver to measure its stiffness. That helps your doctor detect signs of fat buildup, scar tissue or damage to the organ and create a treatment plan, if necessary. It’s a painless, noninvasive test usually done in the gastroenterology office and only requires three hours of strict fasting.

Liver function tests – Blood tests can measure the level of protein or enzymes in the liver. Elevated enzymes may be a sign the liver is not working properly. Your doctor can order the simple lab test and evaluate results.

Liver biopsy – A doctor can use a special needle to take small tissue samples from the liver and examine them for signs of damage to the liver. This procedure usually is done in an outpatient clinic where you go home the same day.

5 ways to slow or reverse damage caused by MAFLD

Here are things you can do to take care of your liver, so it can take care of you.

1. Eat healthy foods. Add plant-based foods to your everyday eating habits. Many doctors will recommend the Mediterranean diet. This includes eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, olive oil, beans, nuts and seeds. Eating less red meat, sugar, potatoes, butter and processed carbs can help.
2. Maintain a healthy weight. Weight loss is the most effective way to lower your risk or even prevent liver disease. Aim for small changes that can make a big difference in your health. You can lower the buildup of fat in your liver by losing just five percent of your current weight.
3. Move more, sit less. Even a small amount of activity is better than none. Take the first step by adding a little movement into your day. Don’t know where to begin? Try incorporating taking the stairs instead of the elevator, gardening or doing household chores.
4. Limit or avoid alcohol. Make water your drink of choice and avoid beverages high in sugar, alcohol and empty calories. Water also tends to reduce thirst and fill your stomach, so you consume fewer calories.
5. Be careful with supplements. Talk with your doctor about vitamins and supplements. Some contain ingredients that can do more harm than good for your liver.

If you have questions about screenings or concerns about your liver health, talk with your primary care doctor. To learn more about our gastroenterology services, visit GoshenGI.com.