Your liver and kidneys play an important role in the break-down and excretion of products in your body.
Your liver, a large vascular organ, is responsible for the ingestion and breakdown of substances in your body, excreting them in to the blood or bile. Your kidneys, two bean shaped organs, are responsible for the filtering and excretion of blood by-products in the form of urine. Which is why it’s so important to take care of your kidneys and liver. Here are some tips to keep your liver and kidneys healthy…
1. Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluid will ensure your kidneys can filter the impurities in the blood
2. Don’t drink too much alcohol – Alcohol can damage and destroy liver cells so try to drink in moderation or at least try to have two alcohol free days a week
3. Eat a balanced diet – This will ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs, and try to stay away from refined sugar and products in high-fructose corn syrup content – while glucose can be broken down by nearly every cell in your body, the liver in the only organ that can break down fructose.
4. Be careful with herbs and dietary supplements – While these products are natural, they still may be harmful to your liver, especially when mixed with other medicines. Always talk to your doctor about taking herbal and dietary supplements, as these supplements may interact with your prescription medication, or other aliments your may be suffering from.
5. Exercise and keep a healthy weight – not only will this aid in the bodies ability to utilise triglycerides for fuel, which can help decreased liver fat, but being overweight can raise your blood pressure which puts added stress on the kidneys.
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This post was written by Dr Monica Bassier
You can find out more about Monica here or book an appointment with her here or alternatively call our clinic on 03 9908 2844.