canadian liver foundation: have questions about liver health? just ask
your liver is like a superhero inside your body. it removes harmful toxins and waste and makes sure your blood stays clean and healthy.
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more than seven million canadians are affected by liver disease, with liver cancer becoming one of the fastest-rising and deadliest forms of cancer in canada.
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how often do you think about your liver health? well, if you’re like most people, probably not much — even though it is one of our body’s largest and most vital organs. luckily, march is liver health month, and the canadian liver foundation thinks it’s time for this hard-working organ to get the attention it deserves.
why? because your liver has a big impact on your health and quality of life.
your liver is like a superhero inside your body. it removes harmful toxins and waste and makes sure your blood stays clean and healthy. it is a sophisticated filter that enhances overall well-being, and when it is not functioning properly, you can encounter some significant health concerns.
in fact, more than seven million canadians are affected by liver disease, with liver cancer becoming one of the fastest-rising and deadliest forms of cancer in canada.
but there are simple things you can do to keep your liver in optimal condition. eating fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seafood, and healthy fats like olive oil and nut butters help to keep it happy. conversely, minimizing processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive alcohol consumption can help your liver function at its best. and just like all your other vital organs, your liver is thrilled when you engage in physical activity because exercise helps your body reach and maintain peak health.
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taking these proactive steps to support your liver not only boosts your energy levels and enhances your overall well-being, but can also significantly reduce your risk of conditions like diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, empowering you to lead a healthier life. additionally, a healthy liver strengthens your immune system, giving you better resilience against infections and aiding in quicker recovery from illnesses.
the canadian liver foundation believes that knowledge is power and has launched the just ask campaign, where a panel of liver specialists, doctors, researchers, and dietitians provide answers to your liver health queries. here are a sample of questions received so far, and we hope you’ll reach out, too. we’ve got the answers, all we need for you to do is … just ask!
q: should i be referred to an approved hospital dietitian to receive personalized dietary advice?
a: speaking to a dietitian for more information when you are in hospital may be helpful, and you always have the option of speaking to a dietitian when you return home, if you prefer. a dietitian who specializes in nutrition for liver disease can give you advice on how you can use nutrition as an ingredient in your plan to manage your liver disease. understanding the diet for your condition is especially important for those who have a liver disease that may be linked to your lifestyle, like steatohepatitis. however, proper nutrition is necessary for anyone who has liver disease because the liver is one of the most important organs and performs more than 500 functions. you can also ask for a referral to a dietitian from your doctor or search for a dietitian near you on the dietitians of canada website, and the canadian liver foundation can provide you with information on diet and liver disease as well. — anisha vijh, registered dietitian
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q: what’s the difference between advanced and early-stage liver disease?
a: early-stage liver disease would mean there might be some scarring or fibrosis in the liver, but you don’t yet have cirrhosis. we have a scale for that: f0 to f4, where f4 is cirrhosis and f0 is no scarring at all. usually, you don’t run into trouble with liver failure until the f4 stage. — dr. vincent bain, hepatologist
q: i had hepatitis c twenty years ago and took medications to cure it. what are my chances of getting it again?
a: the main risk factor for getting hepatitis c is contact with blood or body fluids from another person who has hepatitis c. so, this could include a blood transfusion or using needles that are not clean or not sterile. but if you don’t have those risk factors, your chances of getting hepatitis c is very low, basically zero. you should still get vaccinated for other hepatitis viruses like hepatitis a and b, you should continue to live a healthy lifestyle that includes exercising, eating healthy, and trying to maintain a healthy body weight … and, of course, you should minimize alcohol use. there is research being done to find a vaccine for hepatitis c, but as long as you follow these guidelines or these healthy behaviours, then your chances of getting hepatitis should be very low. — dr. carla coffin, hepatologist
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q: i am seeing a lot of recommendations online about doing a wellness liver detox. should i do a liver detox?
a: i’m not a big fan of liver detoxes simply because the proven safety in some of these detox regimens has not been studied well, they may not be approved by health canada, and some of them can cause potential adverse electrolyte problems like diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset. so, detox is not necessary at all when an adult has liver disease. instead, eating healthy, fresh, whole foods will give the liver the kind of nutrients it needs. detoxing your liver is not something that is going to improve your liver health and many detox programs do not have a lot of science behind them and have not been proven to be safe for the liver. — dr. diana mager, registered dietitian
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