Eating too many calories, drinking alcohol, misusing medication, ignoring viral hepatitis risks and staying sedentary are among the habits that can gradually damage the liver.
Dr. Lam Nguyen Thuy An, Specialist Doctor Level II at University Medical Center HCMC – Facility 3, says the liver performs hundreds of essential functions, from metabolizing nutrients and storing energy to producing bile, processing medications and removing toxins.
Long-term liver damage can lead to fatty liver disease, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. Yet many people continue their usual lifestyles even after developing elevated liver enzymes or chronic viral hepatitis.
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the liver is believed to regulate the flow of qi, store blood and influence emotions. Protecting the organ therefore depends largely on maintaining healthy daily habits rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.
Eating too many calories
The liver plays a central role in processing carbohydrates and fats. Regularly consuming more calories than the body needs can cause fat to accumulate in liver cells, increasing the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.
Over time, the condition can progress to inflammation and cirrhosis.
Doctors recommend a diet rich in vegetables, moderate amounts of fruit, whole grains and lean protein sources such as fish, lean meat, eggs and legumes.
Sugary drinks, sweets, fried foods, fast food and late-night snacks should be limited.
People with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, gout or existing liver disease should seek medical advice before following restrictive or extreme diets promoted online.
Drinking alcohol
When alcohol is broken down in the liver, it produces acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that can directly injure liver cells.
Heavy or prolonged drinking raises the risk of alcohol-related fatty liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer, particularly among people with hepatitis B or C.
Those with elevated liver enzymes or diagnosed liver disease should avoid alcohol altogether, An says.
Products marketed as “liver support” or hangover remedies cannot prevent alcohol-related liver damage, she adds.
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