A recent study by the University of Michigan (US) revealed surprising findings. The study found that nearly 45% of children (global sample size of nearly one million students) in the age group of 9-16 years are suffering from liver-related ailments. More than 20% end up being hospitalized due to a liver issue at this young age. Why is it happening? Medical experts say, pollution and lifestyle are the main causes. Can it be helped? Yes, we Bring you a list to-dos. These little changes could help you keep your liver strong, healthy and happy. Try these:
Lose 10% of your body weight: Keeping liver disease at bay doesn’t necessarily mean a complete body transformation. In fact, experts say if you are overweight, shedding just 10% of your overall body weight gives liver function a significant boost and may help reverse non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The same simple approach has also been found to help prevent Type 2 diabetes in young children. This means somebody who weighs around 90 kilos to reverse the early stages of NAFLD.
Add Garlic to your Diet: Garlic contains numerous health boosting compounds one of which is called S-allyimercaptocysteine. In tests, this has been found to protect the liver against diet related damage. One Study at the University of Hong Kong discovered rats with NAFLD suffered less injury to the liver, had lower levels of liver fat and reduced inflammation when they were injected with the garlic compound. Scientists said it appears to shield the liver against the worst of the damage and added, “Garlic and its derivatives could be considered as a potent supplement.”
Go Swimming: Exercise is a great way to keep the liver healthy- but what’s the best type? One study involving mice found swimming to be effective at keeping fatty liver disease at bay. Scientists fed the rodents a high fat diet and then monitored whether regular swimming protected against the build-up of harmful fats. Mice allowed to swim regularly had significantly lower liver fat levels than those not given access to the water. Other research shows children who swim two or three times a week have healthier liver. Dancing and hill walking had similar benefits.
Tuck into Oily Fish: Oily fish such as salmon and sardines can lower fat levels in your liver if they are consumed on a fairly regular basis- at least a couple of times a week. That’s because they are rich in immunity-boosting omega-3 fatty acids. A 2016 study pooled data from 10 different investigations into omega-3 and liver problems. It revealed that those who were eating healthy fats regularly had lower levels of harmful fats in the liver, while at the same time bolstering levels of HDL.
Get more Sleep: It’s not just diet and exercise that can help keep the liver healthy. A research suggests getting proper amount of rest is also crucial. A study in Taiwan, involving more than 30,000 boys and girls, found those suffering with common sleep disorders like insomnia, sleepwalking or teeth grinding, were nearly 80% more at risk of fatty liver disease than others getting a good night’s sleep. The most likely explanation is that broken sleep interferes with eating habits.
