These Everyday Habits Could Harm Your Liver
As the largest organ in the body, the liver stores nutrients and breaks down toxins. Unfortunately, cases of liver cancer have tripled since the ’80s. “It’s an organ you could easily trash if you don’t take good care of it,” Dr. Rohit Satoskar told WebMD. “And once you trash it, it’s gone.”
One of the reasons why the rate of liver disease is so high because people unknowingly damage it with daily habits. Taking common painkillers and even herbal supplements can cause long-term consequences. Here are some everyday habits that can hurt your liver.
Eating Too Much Salt
The recommended daily amount of salt is between 2,000 and 2,400 mg. Unfortunately, most people eat more than that. Kristen Roberts, a clinical professor of Internal Medicine at Ohio State University, says that most Americans consume over 5,000 mg of salt per day.
How does this affect the liver? An over-salted diet creates water retention, which overworks and inflames the liver. People with pre-existing liver conditions have to adhere to a low-sodium diet. To prevent this, watch out for processed foods that often use salt as a preservative.
