id169425310232994

supplier accountmagazinefeatures

file nameGM1801-GM0118p041.jpg

titleGood Health handbook - Your liver health guide - GET TO KNOW YOUR LIVER

subject date15-03-2021

place

credit

caption@P@ 1 be informed be nourished be energised be inspired simply be health guide Fact , f d an tip t hel o k ou live to hap « +++ Good Health handbook Your liver GME_ 1801_ 1_ 216758_ 1.0_ 41### PDF Created with 3DAP PaperType 3 Colour Profile ###28/11/2017 3:12:17 p.m.

id169425310232998

supplier accountmagazinefeatures

file nameGM1801-GM0118p042.jpg

titleGood Health handbook - Your liver health guide - GET TO KNOW YOUR LIVER

subject date15-03-2021

place

credit

caption@P@ 1 GME_ 1801_ 2_ 216758_ 1.0_ 42### PDF Created with 3DAP PaperType 3 Colour Profile ###28/11/2017 3:12:19 p.m.

id169425310232999

supplier accountmagazinefeatures

file nameGM1801-GM0118p043.jpg

titleGood Health handbook - Your liver health guide - GET TO KNOW YOUR LIVER

subject date15-03-2021

place

credit

caption@P@ 1 43 be informed be nourished be energised be inspired simply be Good Health handbook OUR BIGGEST ORGAN HAS ITS WORK CUT OUT, RIDDING OUR BODIES OF NASTIES, MAKING HORMONES AND KEEPING TABS ON OUR METABOLISM AMONG OTHER TASKS. HERE’S HOW TO SHOW IT THE LOVE IT DESERVES GET TO KNOW YOUR LIVER W hen it comes to keeping you well, your liver does an excellent job. It is a vital organ that is responsible for many of the complex processes essential for life. Yet because of our busy, modern lifestyles we often don’t give it the care it deserves to keep it working efficiently. In this health book, we explain how your liver keeps you well, what can place it at risk, and what you can do to protect it and help it heal. Remember, prevention is always better than a cure. GET TO KNOW YOUR LIVER It’s our body’s biggest internal organ, with the average adult liver weighing about 1.5kg. What sets it apart from other organs is that it can regenerate itself, or grow back, after damage or surgery. WHAT EXACTLY DOES YOUR LIVER DO? The liver’s main functions include removing toxins, processing food nutrients and helping to regulate body metabolism: » The liver converts carbohydrates into glucose for energy and converts glucose fact More than 6 million Australians ARE AFFECTED BY LIVER DISEASE e liver can regenerate itself a er damage or surgery into a storable form called glycogen. When blood sugar levels drop, for example in between meals, glycogen is converted back into glucose as needed. » Amino acids from protein are sent to the liver, where they are used to produce hormones. » Bile, produced by the liver, is stored in the gall bladder and used to help break down dietary fats. The fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K need bile in order to be absorbed by the body. » Ammonia is a toxic by-product of protein metabolism. The liver changes ammonia into urea so it can be excreted in urine. » Medication and drugs, including alcohol, are filtered through the liver and neutralised or converted

id169425310233000

supplier accountmagazinefeatures

file nameGM1801-GM0118p044.jpg

titleGood Health handbook - Your liver health guide - GET TO KNOW YOUR LIVER

subject date15-03-2021

place

credit

caption@P@ 1 SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS No matter how old you are, starting a new sexual re ationship can be daunting enough without having to worry about catching a disease. But unprotected sex with your regu ar partner will only be safe as long as you are both only having sex with each other. In a new re ationship it can be impossible to be 100 per cent certain so taking precautions to avoid catching a disease like viral hepatitis is critical. Talk to your doctor or search online for your nearest sexual health clinic for more information. 44The best way to protect your liver from harm is to follow these simple steps in your day-to-day life. 9Already have liver problems? The best advice is to completely avoid alcohol. SAY NO TO DRUGS Recreational drug use puts you at risk of bloodborne diseases. DRINK LESS ALCOHOL TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR MOVE MORE A sedentary lifestyle is also a common cause of liver disease. Exercise can help boost your immune system and support a healthy liver and normal body weight. STAY SAFE AROUND TOXIC If you work with cleaning solutions, paints, and pesticides, ventilate the room and/or wear a mask. ...like toothbrushes or razors as they regularly come in contact with blood. AVOID SHARING DON’T SMOKE Smoking has been linked with liver cancer. EAT WELL Poor nutrition and obesity are common causes of liver disease. PRACTISE SAFE SEX Viral hepatitis can be transmitted sexually. Talk to your GP about being vaccinated against hepatitis A (spread via contaminated food, water, and faeces) and hepatitis B (spread via direct blood contact, sexual intercourse, and sharing of contaminated needles). Vaccination may be advised if you are at risk. There is no vaccine against hepatitis C. CHEMICALS PERSONAL ITEMS... Simple steps to keep your liver safe A sedentary lifestyle is a common cause of liver disease GME_ 1801_ 4_ 216758_ 1.0_ 44### PDF Created with 3DAP PaperType 3 Colour Profile ###28/11/2017 3:12:46 p.m.

id169425310233001

supplier accountmagazinefeatures

file nameGM1801-GM0118p045.jpg

titleGood Health handbook - Your liver health guide - GET TO KNOW YOUR LIVER

subject date15-03-2021

place

credit

caption@P@ 1 fact Liver disease IS THE ONLY MAJOR CAUSE OF DEATH THAT’S STILL ON THE INCREASE 45 be informed be nourished be energised be inspired simply be In some cases, there are no signs when something is going wrong with your liver. In fact, up to 50 per cent of people with liver disease may have no symptoms. When symptoms do develop, however, they can include the following: NON-SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS Fatigue / excessive tiredness / lack of motivation / occasional itching SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS » Jaundice: Your skin and the whites of your eyes may turn yellow when the liver isn’t working properly. Common causes of that kind of liver damage are hepatitis, cancer, drinking too much alcohol, abusing drugs like Ecstasy, exposure to toxic substances and various infections. Jaundice also changes the colour of your urine and stools, making the urine dark and stools pale.» Itching: Liver disease is considered to be an underlying cause of itchy skin – but itching can also be caused by kidney failure, thyroid problems and cancer. This type of itching usually affects the whole body. » Bruising: Liver damage can make you bruise or bleed more easily because the liver has slowed or stopped production of proteins that are necessary for blood clotting.» Swelling: When the liver isn’t able to do its job, people may start to retain fluid in the abdominal area and legs, which leads to swelling. MORE SERIOUS SYMPTOMS Nausea / vomiting / diarrhoea / appetite loss / weight loss / fever / pain in the upper right side / anaemia / vomiting blood or passing black stools / disrupted sleep pattern / confusion / drowsiness HOW IS LIVER DISEASE DIAGNOSED?Doctors may use several tests to diagnose liver disease:» A physical examination can detect whether the liver is enlarged. » A detailed medical history will help – including medications and lifestyle factors such as diet and alcohol consumption, exposure to hepatitis infections, blood transfusions, tattoos or family history of liver disease. » Blood tests will be d

id169425310233002

supplier accountmagazinefeatures

file nameGM1801-GM0118p046.jpg

titleGood Health handbook - Your liver health guide - GET TO KNOW YOUR LIVER

subject date15-03-2021

place

credit

caption@P@ 1 LIVER LOADERS: THE BADDIES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM Good Health handbook Armed with the right information you can take steps to protect your liver and keep it healthy for the term of your natural life. THUMBS DOWN FOR ALCOHOL Heavy alcohol use is a major cause of cirrhosis and other liver damage like fatty liver disease, which is the most common of the alcohol-induced liver disorders. Fat accumulates inside the liver cells, causing cells to enlarge. The liver becomes enlarged, causing discomfort on the upper right side of the abdomen. What to do: The liver can only process so much alcohol at one time. Australian alcohol guidelines recommend no more than two standard drinks on any day, but not drinking at all is best for your liver health. DON’T LIGHT UP We all know smoking is hazardous to our health. Lighting a cigarette creates more than 4000 harmful chemicals with hazardous adverse effects on almost every organ in the body. But smoking is also linked to liver cancer. If you have existing liver disease, smoking may increase the toxic effect of some medications on the liver. It’s not only smokers who are at risk though – scientists have found even second-hand tobacco smoke exposure can result in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Second-hand smoke is the combination of smoke exhaled by a smoker and smoke given off by a burning cigarette.What to do: Giving up smoking is hard, and to give up for good you may need support. Call Quitline on 13 7848. Ask family members or friends who smoke to do so outside where smoke can’t blow back into the house, and never in the car. SMART BODY ART Tattoos and piercings are increasingly common in the modern world. If the equipment used to create your tattoo is contaminated with infected blood, you can contract various bloodborne diseases that affect your liver, such as hepatitis B and C and other infections.What to do: If you are considering having a tattoo or piercing, ensure you go only to a reputable parlour that uses sterilised equipment and follows

id169425310233003

supplier accountmagazinefeatures

file nameGM1801-GM0118p047.jpg

titleGood Health handbook - Your liver health guide - GET TO KNOW YOUR LIVER

subject date15-03-2021

place

credit

caption@P@ 1 47 be informed be nourished be energised be inspired simply be BABY BLUES Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a serious and growing problem. Previously linked with obesity, a new study also connects it to maternal obesity – meaning that what your mother ate during pregnancy may affect your future liver health. ARE YOU AT RISK OF HEP C? Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that causes inf ammation of the liver. The virus is present in the blood of an infected person and can be spread through blood-to-blood contact. In Australia, it’s commonly spread through sharing non-sterilised needles, syringes and other injecting drug equipment. If you’ve had a blood transfusion, organ transp ant or taken intravenous drugs prior to 1992, get yourself tested for hep C, which has a long incubation period and is often asymptomatic until significant liver damage has occurred. There is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection, but treatment is effective for more than 90 per cent of people. Treatment can help decrease inf ammation of the liver, reduce long-term complications of chronic liver disease and liver cancer, and possibly prevent transmission. Twenty to 30 per cent of those who have been infected may clear the virus from their blood with no treatment within six months. « As the name suggests, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) isn’t caused simply by drinking too much – it’s being overweight that is a major risk factor. With two thirds of us now in that category, NAFLD has become one of Australia’s fastest growing diseases. And while it once affected mostly older men, statistics shows one in three men and women now falls prey. Alarmingly, children also are increasingly being diagnosed. What is it exactly?When fat accumulates in the liver, it can lead to scarring, which in turn can result in permanent changes to the liver’s structure, causing irreversible damage. Excess liver fat is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, cardi

id169425310232995

supplier accountmagazinefeatures

file nameGM1801-GM0118p048.jpg

titleGood Health handbook - Your liver health guide - GET TO KNOW YOUR LIVER

subject date15-03-2021

place

credit

caption@P@ 1 As a multitasking organ, the liver is vulnerable to the effects of stress, toxins and a highly processed diet. Here’s how to support your liver each and every day. EAT THE RIGHT FOODS A diet that is low in sugar and based on healthy fats, eggs, a little meat and fish, and whole foods like fruits and veges – preferably organic – is best for your general health and will support your liver too. Eating lots of fruit and vegetables to increase the amount of antioxidants and fibre in your diet can help repair existing damage to the liver. To further up the liver benefits, you can include: Good Health handbook Fermented foods Kombucha, kefir, good-quality yoghurt and cultured vegetables are good sources of probiotics, nutrients and enzymes that support the liver and other digestive organs. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and kale can increase production of glucosinolates – sulphur-containing compounds that protect the liver from damage and improve its ability to eliminate toxins and excess hormones. Avocados help the body produce the antioxidant glutathione, the most important antioxidant to help boost your liver’s detox ability and help filter out harmful toxins. Lemons Besides stimulating the release of enzymes, lemons help convert toxins into a water-soluble form that can be easily excreted from the body. Lemons are also a rich source of vitamin C, which helps to thin bile, enabling the liver to more effectively break down fats. Start the day with the juice of half a lemon in warm water to wake up your liver. LOVE YOUR LIVER Grapefruit Also a rich source of vitamin C, one grapefruit contains more than 70mg of glutathione. Researchers have found that a grapefruit extract called naringenin may help the liver to break down fat, which may help prevent fatty liver disease. Grapefruit can interact with some medicines so be sure to check with your practitioner first. Garlic is packed with allicin and selenium, two compounds that help liver cleansing. Walnuts contain high amo

id169425310232996

supplier accountmagazinefeatures

file nameGM1801-GM0118p049.jpg

titleGood Health handbook - Your liver health guide - GET TO KNOW YOUR LIVER

subject date15-03-2021

place

credit

caption@P@ 1 49 be informed be nourished be energised be inspired simply be 3 LIVER-BOOSTING REMEDIES Milk thistle: The liver-healing properties of this plant were recorded as far back as AD 23-79. Milk thistle contains anti-viral and anti-inflammatory compounds and is an excellent source of the antioxidant silymarin, which prevents depletion of glutathione in the liver Turmeric: The powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the popular curry spice may help to reduce the amount of free radical damage in your liver. Dandelion: Dandelion root helps maintain the proper flow of bile. As the role of the liver is to produce bile, dandelion has a direct effect on liver function. You can find dandelion tea – which is closer to coffee than tea in flavour – at health food stores and some supermarkets. TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) it’s believed that “The physician who knows how to harmonise the liver knows how to treat the hundred diseases.” According to TCM, the liver is the organ responsible for the smooth flow of emotions as well as qi (vital energy) and blood. It is thought to be the organ most affected Worst foods for your liver Now you know what to eat. Here are the top four foods and drinks you should avoid to keep your liver functioning well: Processed foods with artificial ingredients, sweeteners and colours. 1 Fruits and vegetables heavily sprayed with chemical pesticides and herbicides. See ‘Dirty Dozen’. 2 Sugary drinks and snacks. 3 Refined grains like white flour products. 4 by excess stress. A TCM practitioner may treat the liver with diet, herbs and acupuncture to help improve its function. Visit naturaltherapypages.com.au to find a qualified practitioner. HEALTHY LIVER BENEFITS What can improved liver function do for your health? » An increase in energy. » Clearer skin. » A reduction in PMS. » Reduced sinus congestion. » A stronger immune system and fewer colds. » Better digestion. WORK ON STRES

id169425310232997

supplier accountmagazinefeatures

file nameGM1801-GM0118p050.jpg

titleGood Health handbook - Your liver health guide - GET TO KNOW YOUR LIVER

subject date15-03-2021

place

credit

caption@P@ 1 TEXT DEBBIE DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY IMAGES 50 that includes your liver. And the more stressed you become, the worse your liver will function. What to do: The simple answer is to keep positive energy moving by avoiding unnecessary conflict and stressing over the small things. Most of us need help to do this. Here are some ideas: Consult an expert. If holding on to anger and not being able to let go of grudges sounds like you, then you might want to consider consulting a psychologist who can give you the skills to learn to let go. Go to psychology.org.au and use their Find a Psychologist service. Learn to meditate: Introduce meditation into your life in small ways – even five minutes of meditation is better than none. You can try:» Attending classes.» Using a DVD or online programme at home.» Using an app like Calm, free from the App Store or Google Play. » Breathe deeply: Yoga has been shown to have a positive effect on stress reduction, largely due to deep-breathing techniques, which reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and slows heart rate. Yoga also helps the brain to release the chemical GABA, which has USEFUL CONTACTS Australian Alcohol Guidelines alcohol.gov.au Australian Guide to Healthy Eating eatforhealth.gov.au Australian Liver Foundation liver.org.au Dietitians Association of Australia daa.asn.au DrinkWise drinkwise.org.au NPS MedicineWise nps.org.au QuitNow Quitline 13 7848Sexual Health Australia sexualhealthaustralia.com.au ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This health book was compiled using information from the Australian Liver Foundation, Better Health Channel, Mayo Clinic, and Harvard Health. GENERAL NOTE This is intended as a general introduction to the topic and in no way should be seen as substitute for your own doctor’s or health professional’s advice. All care is taken to ensure that the information contained here is free from error and/or omissions; however, no responsibility can be accepted by the publisher, author, editor or any person involved in the pre