The liver, the largest gland of the human body is an organ that could be described as versatile and multifunctional. It has a fundamental role of detoxification, synthesis by ensuring the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins and storage by serving as a reservoir of vitamins and carbohydrates. Our lifestyle and environmental factors can undermine its functioning by the accumulation of toxins and alter our body at the same time.
The liver has many vital functions essential to our body. It is one of the most important organs of the body of which one of the main missions is to eliminate toxins. A diet too rich and unbalanced combined with several environmental factors are the first harmful elements that lead to alter the liver and its functioning, which can sometimes lead to cirrhosis or fibrosis, diseases that are highly damaging to health.
Here are 9 precursory symptoms of a damaged liver.
1 - Pain or pressure in the upper abdomen
A diet high in fat can lead to a high accumulation in the liver that can cause liver steatosis. The first visible symptoms are an increase in the upper part of the abdomen and some form of pressure on the chest.
2 - Nausea
Nausea that does not go away or comes back regularly may be a precursor to cirrhosis of the liver. The best attitude to adopt in prevention is to avoid eating certain foods such as fried foods, dishes in sauce and greasy meats.
3 - Rashes and yellow eyes
Signs of liver dysfunction through toxin accumulation can be triggered by rashes or yellowing of the eyes. These signs may indicate an increase in bilirubin that may gradually result in jaundice.
4 - Fatigue and weakness
Intense fatigue and constant weakness may be signs of liver failure such as cirrhosis. Hepatic insufficiency can evolve silently until a sufficiently advanced stage hence the importance of consulting a doctor as soon as possible.
5 - Fever
A fever with chills can be a sign of serious liver failure such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.
6 - Muscle pains
Permanent muscular or joint pain can also be a sign of liver dysfunction due to the passage of toxins from food sources that settle and accumulate there.
7 - Change of color of stool and urine
Darker urine or more whitish stools may be the first symptoms of liver disease. The secretions of the gallbladder can no longer pass into the intestines, circulate directly in the blood and are filtered through the urine, giving it a brown-black color and a whitish stool appearance.
8 - Itchy skin
Uneven skin itching is one of the hallmarks of liver disease. These manifestations may be the consequence of the accumulation of bile, sign in most cases of cholestasis.
9 - Bleeding
Much rarer symptoms of liver diseases: bleeding or bruising nasal. These occur more easily than usual because the liver stops producing enough platelets to ensure blood clotting, predictable manifestations of cirrhosis of the liver.
How to take care of your liver?
Since the main mission of the liver is to purify the blood and detoxify the body, it is essential to keep it in good working order by adopting good eating habits and avoiding eating fatty foods as much as possible.
Fruit, containing fructose and composed of enzymes, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients are indicated to maintain the liver in good health, without omitting the lemon which for its part, stimulates the production of bile and facilitates the breakdown of fats and their evacuation.
Good health in all cases requires a varied, balanced and healthy diet and regular physical activity.
