Be careful of liver damage due to detoxification

Caring for patients with liver poisoning at 108 Military Central Hospital - Photo: BVCC

Detoxification mistakes that damage the liver

Nowadays, many people are competing to use liver tonics and liver detoxifiers to prevent liver damage caused by drinking beer, alcohol, eating unhealthy foods, liver diseases such as hepatitis B, C,... without knowing that this is a mistake.

Doctor Nguyen Thai Anh Tuan, Department of Hepatobiliary - Pancreas Treatment, 108 Central Military Hospital, warned that many people are currently applying liver detoxification methods such as taking functional foods that help clear toxins in the liver; following a strict diet; using smoothies; cleaning the colon with bleach...

In fact, many people have to be hospitalized due to arbitrarily using drugs and functional foods to nourish the liver, detoxify the liver or treat liver and biliary diseases.

Doctor Nguyen Duc Minh, Emergency Department - Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, warns that sometimes taking liver tonics, liver detoxification drugs... can cause liver poisoning.

Most cases have few clinical manifestations, liver damage is detected through liver enzyme and liver function tests. Some cases with symptoms of poisoning will show fatigue, fear of fat, acne, itching, abdominal pain in the liver area...

Severe cases may have liver failure syndrome: jaundice, fatigue, loss of appetite, foul-smelling breath, uncontrollable bleeding, lethargy, difficulty sleeping. More severe cases may progress to coma, respiratory failure, hypotension, hypoglycemia, kidney failure, and convulsions.

According to doctors, there are many medical treatments for liver diseases, but there is no evidence that detox programs or liver supplements can reverse liver damage.

In fact, detoxifiers can be harmful to the liver if not used properly. Studies have found that liver damage from dietary supplements and herbs is on the rise.

For people with liver disease, weak liver function, the use of drugs and preparations to support liver function requires the advice of a specialist. Do not use drugs on your own because it does more harm than good.

Agents causing liver damage - Illustration

Change your lifestyle to help your body detox naturally

According to Dr. Dinh Minh Tri, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, there are many medical treatments for liver diseases, but there is no evidence that detoxification programs or liver supplements can repair liver damage.

The liver is a special organ, unlike other organs in the body, when damaged it will lead to scarring, but the liver can regenerate damaged tissue by regenerating new cells. But the regeneration process takes time.

If you continue to damage your liver with medications, too much alcohol or poor diet, this can prevent regeneration, which can eventually lead to irreversible scarring of the liver and, more seriously, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Liver detoxification is a natural process, the body's responsibility, not detoxification by any means. For the liver to function well, the body must detoxify, rest well, and at the same time:

- Drink enough water: According to recommendations, the daily water intake for men is 3.7 liters, for women is 2.7 liters. The body needs more or less depending on diet, living conditions and activity level...

Cut down on soft drinks, carbonated water and sugary drinks. Water is essential for the body, if the body is not adequately hydrated, the liver will not be able to perform its detoxification function effectively. Therefore, adding water every day is also a simple way to help the liver detoxify.

- Do not smoke: When smoking, cigarette smoke passes through the lungs into the blood, toxins accumulate over time and become the condition and cause of liver damage, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, lung cancer...

- Supplementing the microflora: Good intestinal health requires prebiotics. A type of fiber that provides good bacteria for the intestines is called probiotics. Supplementing the microflora for the intestines is not only good for the stomach but also helps detoxify the liver and body.

Food sources rich in prebiotics include yogurt, kimchi, tomatoes, artichokes, bananas, apples, asparagus, onions, garlic and oats...

- Drink only the recommended amount of alcohol : More than 90% of alcohol is metabolized by your liver. Liver enzymes convert alcohol into acetaldehyde, a cancer-causing chemical.

While observational studies have shown that low to moderate alcohol consumption is beneficial for heart health, drinking too much can cause a host of health problems, most notably severe damage to liver function.

In other words, drinking too much alcohol will damage the liver. Limit or best not drink these stimulants to protect the liver and lungs.

- Balanced diet : A nutritious diet, limiting foods that are too salty or too sweet will help the body function better.

Snacking in moderation can help keep your body's detoxification system and liver healthy. Replace junk food with healthier options like fruits and vegetables.

- Build a balanced daily diet: Eat plenty of fruits and fiber from vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Make sure to supplement protein for enzymes that help the body detox naturally.  

Avoid the Fast food often contains a lot of fat and carbohydrates, which can easily lead to overweight, obesity and metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

- Maintain a reasonable weight: Lose weight, maintain body mass index (BMI) from 18.5 - 22.9 kg/m ² , maintain waist circumference below 90 cm in men and below 80 cm in women.

- Daily exercise: Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. In case of cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, it is necessary to exercise according to the instructions of a specialist to ensure safety. Avoid over-exercising as it can aggravate the condition.

Patients with chronic hepatitis B, C, alcoholic liver disease, and cirrhosis need to have regular check-ups to screen for liver cancer. If liver cancer is detected and treated early, it will bring good results.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/can-than-hong-gan-vi-thai-doc-20240229091216289.htm