Beware of liver damage from detoxification.

Caring for patients with liver poisoning at Military Central Hospital 108 - Photo courtesy of the hospital.

Detoxification mistakes can damage the liver.

Currently, many people are rushing to use liver supplements and detoxifiers to prevent liver damage caused by drinking beer and alcohol, eating unhealthy foods, and liver diseases such as hepatitis B and C, without realizing that this is a mistake.

Dr. Nguyen Thai Anh Tuan, from the Liver-Biliary-Pancreatic Treatment Department at Military Central Hospital 108, warns that many people are currently applying liver detoxification methods such as taking functional foods that help cleanse toxins from the liver; following restrictive diets; using smoothies; and cleansing the colon with laxatives...

In reality, many people are hospitalized due to self-medication with drugs and dietary supplements to support liver function, detoxify the liver, or treat liver and biliary diseases.

Dr. Nguyen Duc Minh, from the emergency department of the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, warns that sometimes taking liver supplements or liver detoxification medications can actually cause liver poisoning.

In most cases, there are few clinical symptoms; liver damage is detected through liver enzyme and liver function tests. Some cases with symptoms of poisoning may manifest as fatigue, aversion to fatty foods, acne, itching, and abdominal pain in the liver area.

Severe cases may present with hepatic cell failure syndrome: jaundice, fatigue, loss of appetite, foul-smelling breath, uncontrollable bleeding, lethargy, and difficulty sleeping. Even more severe cases can progress to coma, respiratory failure, hypotension, hypoglycemia, renal failure, and seizures.

According to doctors, there are many medical treatments for liver diseases, but there is no evidence to suggest that detoxification programs or liver supplements can reverse liver damage.

In fact, detoxifying agents can harm the liver if not used properly. Studies have found that liver damage from dietary supplements and herbal remedies is on the rise.

For individuals with liver disease or impaired liver function, the use of medications and supplements to support liver function requires consultation with a specialist doctor; self-medication should be avoided as it can do more harm than good.

Factors that cause liver damage - Illustration

Lifestyle changes to help the body detoxify naturally.

According to Dr. Dinh Minh Tri from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, there are many medical treatments for liver diseases, but there is no evidence to suggest that detoxification programs or liver supplements can repair liver damage.

The liver is a unique organ; unlike other organs in the body where damage leads to scarring, the liver can regenerate damaged tissue by creating new cells. However, this regeneration process takes time.

If you continue to damage your liver with medications, excessive alcohol consumption, or a poor diet, this can hinder the regeneration process, ultimately leading to irreversible liver scarring and, more seriously, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Liver detoxification is a natural process, a function of the body, not something that can be eliminated through any particular method. For the liver to function properly, the body must detoxify, get enough rest, and also:

- Drink enough water: The recommended daily water intake for men is 3.7 liters, and for women is 2.7 liters. The body may need more or less depending on diet, living conditions, and activity level.

Cut back on soft drinks, sodas, and sugary beverages. Water is essential for the body; if the body is not adequately hydrated, the liver cannot perform its detoxification function effectively. Therefore, drinking plenty of water daily is a simple way to help the liver eliminate toxins.

- Avoid smoking: When you smoke, the smoke passes through your lungs and enters your bloodstream. Over time, toxins accumulate, creating conditions and causing liver damage, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and more.

- Supplementing the gut microbiome: Good gut health requires prebiotics. A type of fiber that provides good bacteria to the gut is called probiotics. Supplementing the gut microbiome is not only good for the stomach but also helps detoxify the liver and the body.

Foods rich in prebiotics include yogurt, kimchi, tomatoes, artichokes, bananas, apples, asparagus, onions, garlic, and oatmeal.

- Only drink alcohol in the recommended amount : More than 90% of alcohol is metabolized by your liver. Enzymes in the liver break down alcohol into acetaldehyde - a carcinogenic chemical.

While observational studies have shown that low- to moderate alcohol consumption is beneficial for cardiovascular health, excessive drinking can cause a host of health problems, most notably severe damage to liver function.

In other words, drinking too much alcohol is harmful to the liver; limit or, ideally, avoid these stimulants to protect your liver and lungs.

- Balanced diet : A nutritious diet, limiting foods that are too salty or too sweet, will help the body function better.

Eating snacks in moderation can help keep your body's detoxification system and liver healthy. Replace junk food with healthier options like fruits and vegetables.

- Establish a balanced daily diet: Eat plenty of fruits along with fiber from vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Ensure you're supplementing with protein to support the enzymes that help your body detoxify naturally.  

Avoid these Fast food is often high in fat and carbohydrates, easily leading to overweight, obesity, and metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

- Maintain a healthy weight: Lose weight, maintain a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 22.9 kg/ ^m² , and keep waist circumference below 90 cm for men and below 80 cm for women.

- Daily exercise: Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. If you have cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, you should follow a specialist's exercise regimen to ensure safety. Avoid overexertion, which can worsen your condition.

Patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, alcoholic liver disease, and cirrhosis should have regular check-ups to screen for liver cancer. Early detection and treatment of liver cancer offer better outcomes.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/can-than-hong-gan-vi-thai-doc-20240229091216289.htm