The month of January is Love Your Liver Month. Following the temptation to overindulge over the festive period, that many of us experience, This is the perfect time to consider thinking about becoming healthier.
NHS South Yorkshire is supporting ‘Love Your Liver this January’ campaign to put a spotlight on liver disease risk factors and the steps we can take to keep our livers healthy.
The liver is a vital organ with an amazing ability to regenerate. Performing over 500 jobs, including producing energy and fighting infection, it works hard and can tolerate a lot of abuse. But like an elastic band – it can only stretch so far before it breaks. Taking steps to look after your liver will give it the chance to replace damaged tissue with new cells.
“Dr David Crichton, Medical Officer at NHS South Yorkshire said “ Liver disease is a growing concern and is the third leading cause of premature death in the UK. One in three people are at risk of liver disease. While there are over 100 types of liver disease, with some conditions being caused by genetic and autoimmune factors, a staggering 90% of cases are linked to alcohol consumption, excess body weight, diet and viral hepatitis”.
“Unfortunately, in many cases, people with liver disease don’t get symptoms or know there’s a problem until the disease has progressed to a point where it is too late for any effective treatment or intervention. However, there are lots of ways you can be proactive in lowering your risk of liver disease by making healthier choices in your day-to-day life such as exercising and eating a well balanced diet”.
The British Liver Trust’s Love Your Liver campaign has three simple but effective steps to improve your liver health:
- Regulalry drinking less than 14 units of alcohol and have three consecutive days off alcohol every week.
- Cut down on sugar, carbohydrates and fat, and take more exercise.
- Know the risk factors for viral hepatitis and get tested or vaccinated if at risk. There are now highly effective cures for hepatitis.
This January let’s show our livers some love by doing something healthy. Take a pledge to love your liver and make a change that will benefit your liver health.
For a snapshot of your liver health, take the confidential Love Your Liver screener here: www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/screener.
Download useful factsheets for help with taking the first steps towards a healthier liver.