Liver Strong

A strong liver is vital to long, healthy living. It performs hundreds of functions including storing energy, breaking down food, detoxifying harmful substances, and building muscle. There are loads of ways to keep your liver lively:

• Eat healthy foods. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, packed with fiber and antioxidants, and low in saturated fat is recommended by experts — the less work your liver needs to do the better.

• Don’t smoke or use drugs. These vices can contribute to severe long–term damage, causing the liver to work overtime to remove the toxins.

• Avoid alcohol. For liver health, some experts recommend abstaining from alcohol entirely; others advise no more than 2 drinks a day for men and 1 for women.

• Monitor prescription drugs. Make sure your doctor and pharmacist know every prescription and nonprescription drug you’re using. Dosage needs fluctuate with age, and prolonged use can damage the liver.

• Visit your doctor regularly. Since many liver diseases are preventable, regular checkups are vital.