Why alcohol harms the liver
Alcohol is made primarily from ethanol, which your liver works hard on converting into acetic acid. The acetic acid gets converted again to a less toxic form called acetate. Acetate gets removed through urinating. Alcohol leaves the body in three ways: The kidneys
While the liver is converting ethanol into acetate, it neglects some of its other major functions such as providing the body with glucose – blood sugar. Glucose is required for all major organs and systems in the body. For one, the brain requires glucose to function and stay focused. A lack of glucose can lead to symptoms of a hangover – feeling lethargic, headaches, nausea etc.
Over time, converting all that ethanol takes a toll on the liver. Fat can be deposited due to alcohol absorption, which can lead to fatty-liver disease. Inflammation can also occur as a response to the damage leading to alcoholic hepatitis.
Generally, the liver is a resilient, strong organ – it can still function if 70 percent of it is removed. But constant damage from alcohol over time can lead to cirrhosis, which is essentially a disease equivalent of kryptonite. The worse part is symptoms of cirrhosis only appear once the condition has progressed, meaning it is advanced and much harder to treat.
6 tips to keep your liver healthy
- Eat healthy – consume plenty of fruits and vegetables and stay hydrated
- Limit your intake of toxins – don’t smoke, and try to avoid pollution when possible
- Limit or stop drinking – an occasional glass is fine, but no binge-drinking
- Exercise – it reduces cholesterol, which your liver is responsible for controlling
- Be mindful of medications – taking too many prescription or over-the-counter drugs can wreak havoc on your liver
- Get checked – getting an annual physical will document any changes to your liver and overall health.
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Sources:
http://www.dnaindia.com/health/report-why-is-alcohol-bad-news-for-your-liver-2108982
http://science.howstuffworks.com/alcohol4.htm