In
humans, the liver is very important because of the numerous functions
it performs. Scientists say this vital organ, being one of the largest
in humans, detoxifies the body by ridding it of harmful substances,
while it also produces the biochemical substances that are necessary for
proper digestion of food.
The presence of a healthy liver in the
body is
what makes the blood what it is, experts say, as the liver
produces the albumin – a major component of blood serum.
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General Practitioner, Dr. Daniel Ogunboyejo, says when a woman is
pregnant, in the first three months, the liver is the main site of red
blood cell production in the foetus. And even after the baby is born,
this organ produces the hormone that plays an important role in the
child’s growth and continues to aid the building up of organs and
tissues in adults.
Ogunboyejo also notes that when a
person’s blood pressure becomes low (hypotension), the liver, working in
tandem with the kidneys, produces angiotensinogen – a hormone that is
responsible for raising the blood pressure when activated by another
enzyme (renin) that is released when the kidney senses low blood
pressure.
Experts say the liver is thought to be
responsible for up to 500 separate functions, usually in combination
with other systems and organs. And that is why they conclude that this
organ is necessary for survival, as there is no way to compensate for
its absence in the body in the long term.
Scientists say the liver is basically the
‘body’s filter.’ The function of the liver is to process medications,
alcohol, and other such chemicals and toxins and remove them from the
body. “Therefore, anything you put into your body will, at some point
and in some form, pass through the liver,” Ogunboyejo warns.
Liver destroyers
At a media briefing about Hepatitis C, a
specialist in hepatology, gastroenterology and endoscopy, Dr. Aderemi
Oluyemi, warns that numerous activities can jeopardise the liver,
leading to damages that are sometimes irreversible unless the patient
goes for liver transplantation – an extreme and expensive procedure that
is not available in the country.
How can you damage your liver? These ways…
Abusing anabolic steroids
Many people, especially athletes, body
builders and weight lifters, use anabolic steroids without supervision
by a competent physician. Yet experts say these synthetic variants of
the male sex hormone (testosterone), if used regularly and for a long
period, can raise the risk of developing liver cancer as well as some
other cancers.
It can also result in liver tumours; the liver may be enlarged, become deep red in colour and fragile.
“It may also lead to haemorrhagic cystic
degeneration of the liver – a rare condition that requires urgent
surgery,” Ogunboyejo notes.
Unguarded antibiotics, painkiller use
Many of the over-the-counter drugs that
we use casually without consulting the doctor affect our liver the way
we don’t imagine, Ogunboyejo says.
For instance, physicians say drugs used
to treat epilepsy (anticonvulsants), cholesterol-lowering drugs
(statins), acetaminophen (painkillers) and isotretinoin (used to treat
severe acne) all have terrible effects on the liver.
Worse still, a study published in the
journal Gastroenterology also shows that of all types of prescription
drugs, antibiotics are the ones most likely to cause liver damage.
Ogunboyejo laments that in most cases,
people don’t just take these drugs in isolation; rather, they may
combine two at a time. For instance, it isn’t improbable for people to
take a combination of antibiotics and paracetamol. “In which case, you
increase your risks of liver damage exponentially,” the doctor warns.
The physician therefore counsels, “If you
have recently finished a course of antibiotics, or if you have been
taking them long-term, it is vital to ask your doctor for a liver
function test to determine the health of your liver.”
Uncontrolled diabetes
According to Diabetologist/Medical
Director, Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lekki Phase 1, Dr.
Afokoghene Isiavwe, people who are diabetic are more likely to develop
liver damage than people with normal blood sugar level.
“More than people probably realise,
diabetes has terrible effects on the liver. That is why I recommend that
every diabetic has a blood test and ultrasound to check on the health
of their liver annually,” she advises.
She adds that the closer you are to a
healthy body weight, and the closer to normal your blood sugar level is,
the better your liver’s health.
Impure water, alcohol use
What is the source of the water you
drink? For the average Nigerian, we source our water from
privately-owned wells or boreholes, which may not be bad enough if the
wells are up to standard depth and the water sweet, odourless and
colourless.
However, many people don’t know the ‘texture’ of their water, which may be hard or soft.
A study carried out by Scottish
researchers show that those who drink ‘soft’ water and who also consume
alcohol risk developing Alcoholic Liver Disease – a major killer.
Soft water is water which has relatively
low concentration of calcium carbonate and other ions. It lathers with
soap easily and contains few or no minerals such as calcium or magnesium
ions.
The study author/liver transplant
surgeon, Prof. Roger Williams, says those who drink soft water are
exposed to the risk of liver damage because such waters contain lower
levels of magnesium – the mineral that helps to protect the liver from
the effects of alcohol.
But even on its own, Alcoholic Liver
Disease occurs after years of heavy drinking, says a nutritionist, Dr.
Tobi Lawrence. “Alcohol can cause inflammation in the liver; and over
time, scarring and cirrhosis can occur. Cirrhosis is the final phase of
alcoholic liver disease,” she counsels.
Lawrence notes that the longer the time you have been using alcohol, the higher your chances of getting liver disease go up.
“It is also based on the more alcohol you
consume,” she warns; advising that even those who claim to be moderate
drinkers can still have damaged liver if it’s a habit they persist in
for a long period.
Smoking
Smoking is harmful to virtually every
organ in your body. Scientists say there are over 60 chemicals in
cigarette smoke, all of which have the potential to affect and disturb
all parts of the human anatomy. These chemicals prevent the liver from
performing its main function by making it to age and become less
efficient at removing toxins from the body.
Fatty foods
Lawrence says foods that are processed
and contain lots of preservatives, fats and cholesterol can cause the
liver to become clogged with fat residue. Avoid processed, deep fried or
fatty foods such as sausage, bacon, corned beef, etc., to allow the
liver to unblock itself and regenerate its cells.
Symptoms of liver damage
Symptoms of liver diseases include
weakness and fatigue, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and yellow
discolouration of the skin (jaundice).
