Antidepressants:
It’s rare, but some antidepressants can harm
your liver, even if you take them for only a few days. In some cases, the
damage can be deadly. Older people or anyone taking a lot of other meds are at
higher risk because their liver may be damaged already. If you’re taking
antidepressants, talk with your doctor to make sure you’re on the smallest dose
you need. Make sure you know the symptoms of liver illness to watch for.
Comfrey:
Comfrey is a shrub found in Europe and Asia. Its
leaves have a chemical that reduces swelling and keeps skin healthy, so you can
find it in some pain-relieving creams. But comfrey also has substances that
harm the liver. Don’t use a product that has it for more than 10 days at a time
or for more than 6 weeks total in a year. Apply only very small amounts, and
never put it on broken skin.
Herbal Supplements:
Just because the label says “natural” doesn’t
mean it’s safe. One serious danger is kava kava, an herb that can relieve
menopause symptoms and help you relax. Studies show it can keep the liver from
working, causing hepatitis and liver failure. Some countries have banned or
restricted the herb, but it’s still available in the U.S. You should always
talk to your doctor before you take any herbs to make sure they’re safe.
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate):
MSG enhances the flavor of many packaged and
prepared foods, from chips to diet drinks. (You might see it on a food label as
“hydrolyzed vegetable protein,” “yeast extract,” or “soy extract.”) Still, some
studies of animals suggest that the chemical may make the liver fatty and
inflamed, which can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver
cancer. Scientists need more research to know if MSG affects humans the same
way.
Obesity:
If you’re carrying around extra weight, fat can
also build up in your liver cells, which can lead to NAFLD. It can make the
liver swell. Over time, hardened scar tissue can replace healthy tissue (a
condition doctors call cirrhosis). People who are overweight or obese,
middle-aged, or have diabetes are at highest risk of NAFLD. There’s no cure,
but eating well and exercise can sometimes reverse the disease.
Soft Drinks (Cola):
Scientists studied the diets of a group of
people with NAFLD, taking into account their weight, the amount of fat in their
blood, and if they had diabetes. One thing stood out: 80% of them drank 2 or
more soft drinks a day. It didn’t matter if it was calorie-free or regular
soda, which means an ingredient besides sugar could play a role in the
condition. There’s no hard evidence, but some researchers think artificial
sweeteners might be to blame.
Sugar:
Too much sugar isn’t just bad for your
teeth. It can harm your liver, too. The organ uses one type of sugar, called
fructose, to create fat. Too much refined sugar and high-fructose corn syrup
cause a fatty buildup that can lead to liver disease. Some studies show that
sugar can be as damaging to the liver as alcohol, even if you’re not
overweight. One more reason to limit foods with added sugars, like soda,
pastries, and candy.
Too Much Vitamin A:
You can find vitamin A in eggs and milk as well
as fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those that are red, orange, and
yellow. Many supplements also include it since it helps improve vision,
strengthen bones, and give a boost to your immune system. But in very
high doses, vitamin A is toxic to the liver. To stay safe, never take more than
10,000 IU a day.
Trans Fats:
Trans fats are a man-made fat common in packaged
foods and baked goods. (You’ll see them listed in the ingredients as “partially
hydrogenated vegetable oil” or “vegetable shortening.”) A diet high in trans
fats not only boosts your chances of gaining weight, it makes severe liver
disease with scar tissue more likely. In one study, mice that ate a fast-food
diet high in trans fats had liver damage after only 4 months.
Unsterile Tattoos:
When you get a tattoo or body piercing in a
licensed, clean shop that sterilizes its equipment after each customer, the
chances you’ll get a serious infection like hepatitis C are low. But if tools
aren’t properly cleaned, your risk of hep C shoots up. The virus spreads
through contact with the blood of an infected person and causes serious,
sometimes lifelong liver illness. Check out the shop and its safety record
before you get inked.
As always, stay safe!
Bird