5 factors that can damage the liver

Improper use of painkillers, frequent alcohol consumption, exposure to chemicals, or eating moldy food can increase the risk of liver damage.

The liver is the central organ for metabolism and detoxification in the body. Most food entering the body must pass through the liver for metabolism and elimination. Kupffer cells in the liver play a role in identifying and eliminating many harmful agents, while also regulating inflammatory responses.

According to Dr. Doan Vinh Binh, MD, from the Medical Information Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, when the liver receives a large amount of toxins for a long time, the metabolic process becomes overloaded, and Kupffer cells become overactive, increasing the risk of damage.

Pain relievers and fever reducers

Some pain relievers and fever reducers commonly used to treat headaches and musculoskeletal pain contain the analgesic paracetamol. The habit of taking medication every time you have a headache or body aches, or self-medicating with multiple drugs without a doctor’s prescription, can lead to the accumulation of paracetamol in the body.

Dr. Binh explained that this substance is mainly metabolized in the liver, producing a toxic intermediate called NAPQI. Normally, NAPQI is neutralized by glutathione. However, when used in excessive doses or for prolonged periods, glutathione levels can decrease, causing NAPQI to accumulate and damage liver cells.

Self-medicating with painkillers for extended periods can cause liver damage. Photo: Anh Chi

Alcohol

Ethanol, the alcohol found in wine and beer, is mainly metabolized in the liver. This process produces acetaldehyde – a highly toxic substance to liver cells. At the same time, alcohol increases oxidative stress, promotes inflammation, and disrupts fat metabolism in the liver.

Many people don’t drink to the point of intoxication but drink frequently throughout the day, forcing the liver to repeatedly metabolize ethanol over a long period. This can lead to fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.

Environmental Chemicals

According to Dr. Binh, frequent exposure to pesticides, herbicides, industrial solvents, paints, gasoline, and detergents is harmful to health. These substances can enter the body through the respiratory tract or skin contact, continuously absorbing into the bloodstream. When exceeding the body’s tolerance, they can kill liver cells, causing toxic hepatitis.

Food Toxins

Moldy or spoiled food can contain bacteria and aflatoxin toxins produced by Aspergillus fungi. When consuming these foods, the liver has to work overtime to sterilize the toxins from bacteria and mold, easily leading to acute liver poisoning and long-term liver cell damage.

Dr. Binh noted that homemade alcohol of questionable quality, food containing uncontrolled additives, or banned substances in livestock farming can also increase the metabolic burden on the liver.

To protect the liver, Dr. Binh recommends that everyone limit alcohol consumption, use medication at the prescribed dosage, avoid exposure to chemicals, and monitor liver function regularly for those at risk. Establishing a scientific diet, rest, and exercise regimen, along with regularly supplementing with natural extracts from wasabi and S. marianum, can contribute to enhanced detoxification and liver protection by controlling overactive Kupffer cells, reducing inflammation, and preventing liver damage.