15 Early signs of liver damage and how to strengthen your liver

courtesy Medical News (reference listed at the bottom of page*):

Liver is unarguably one of the most important, hardest-working organs in the human body. It performs more than 500 functions, and when it’s not able to do so correctly, the effects can be seen and felt throughout your whole system. Every day, the liver aids the body by providing it with energy and nutrients, fighting off infections and toxins, cleaning the blood, manufacturing many essential proteins, regulating cholesterol, hormones, and more.

The liver can regenerate if it becomes damaged, by replacing old tissue with new cells. However, when liver disease occurs, it causes scar tissue to form and the liver slowly becomes incapable of creating new tissue. The scar tissue blocks the blood flow and slows the procession of nutrients, hormones and natural toxins. Liver damage causes issues with various bodily functions like metabolism, circulation, hormonal balance and digestion.

Liver problems can be caused by many things like hepatitis, gallstones, fatty liver disease, cystic fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Diagnosis is made through physical exams, blood tests, CT scans, ultrasounds, and biopsies. Liver disease has serious complications including kidney failure, diabetes, excessive bleeding, the risk of infection and excessive fluid in the brain.

Symptoms of liver disease are nonspecific. This means there isn’t a reliable symptom that indicates there’s anything wrong. An unhealthy liver affects the way our entire body works, so it’s important to know and recognize the early signs of liver damage.

Following signs can appear from liver problems (in addition due to other causes -- check out the reference* below for further details):

(1) Nausea / vomiting

(2) Weakness / Tiredness

(3) Loss of appetite

(4) Digestive issues

(5) Changes in urine color (darker orange, amber or brown)

(6) Yellowing skin

(7) Changes in stool color

(8 ) Changes in abdominal area

(9) Fluid retention (including puffiness of feet and ankles)

(10) Increase in skin sensitivity (including itchiness, dryness, rashes etc.)

(11) Sensitivity to certain medicines (opioids etc.)

(12) Memory issues (including difficulty in concentration, memory loss, and confusion)

(13) Sleep disturbances

(14) Vitamin deficiencies (especially vitamin D)

(15) Muscle loss

Some ways to strengthen your liver function include:

(a) Abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes

(b) Avoiding processed foods, dairy, and products that contain refined sugar

(c) Starting a low-sugar, low-toxin diet filled with foods high in fiber and antioxidants

(d) Using liver-boosting supplements like milk thistle, basil and dandelion root

(e) Eating liver-cleansing foods like garlic turmeric, grapefruit, broccoli, avocado, and lemon

(f) Replacing coffee with green tea

(g) Limiting animal proteins and salt intake

(h) Eating foods rich in vitamin C

(i)  Exercising as often as possible

* Ref.: Elizabeth Lilian,  "15 Early Signs Of Liver Damage & How To Strengthen Your Liver," Medical News, Jan. 30, 2017, https://medical-news.org/10-early-signs-liver-damage-strengthen-liver/1812/