The 5 things you need to do to prevent liver cancer

12/09/2018 / By Zoey Sky

Are you overweight? Do you drink or smoke a lot? If you answered “yes” to some or all of these questions, you may be at risk of developing liver cancer. The best way to lower your risk of developing this type of cancer is by making some lifestyle changes.

Here are five things that you can do to lower your risk of developing liver cancer.

Eat healthily and maintain a healthy weight.

Following a healthy diet is the first step to significantly lowering your risk of liver cancer. Avoid eating sugary desserts, fatty meat, heavy proteins, and processed foods.

Try to eat more lean proteins and minimal fat to improve your digestion. A healthy diet can help prevent unhealthy weight gain and obesity, which are major risk factors for fatty liver disease. Being overweight is also associated with liver cancer.

Consume a lot of fresh fruits and don’t overcook vegetables to retain vitamins and minerals. Eat fresh salads instead of snacking on fast food. Consuming organic produce can also help strengthen your immune system. (Related: Bitter melon can lower blood sugar levels and even prevent cancer.)

Exercise regularly.

Regular physical activity will not only improve your physical strength, it will also boost your immune system. Eat right and exercise daily to prevent liver cancer and other kinds of health problems such as heart disease and obesity.

Limit your alcohol intake and tobacco use.

Drinking alcohol and chewing or smoking tobacco may cause liver cirrhosis, which is linked to liver cancer. Drinking and smoking are two very preventable risk factors for the disease. To reduce your risk, limit your intake of these substances. Avoid them altogether whenever possible.

Maintain hygiene.

You must practice proper hygiene to stay healthy and reduce the risk of various kinds of cancer. Always wash your hands before and after preparing or eating food.

Practice safe sex.

Safe sex and liver cancer might seem like two very different health concerns, but the former is a crucial yet often neglected risk factor for the latter.

Avoid multiple sex partners and follow healthy sexual practices, such as using condoms, to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). STDs like hepatitis B may increase your risk of liver disease. Inquire about your partner’s health status. Both of you should be screened for hepatitis B.

If you have hepatitis C, always use condoms. If you receive medical care, you may recover from hepatitis C. However, this doesn’t mean you should stop practicing safe sex. While hepatitis C is less likely to be transmitted sexually than hepatitis B, it’s not entirely impossible. If you work in the health industry, take the necessary steps to limit your exposure to infected blood.

Live a healthy lifestyle to prevent liver cancer and improve your overall well-being.

Boost liver health with these healthy foods

Here are some foods that can improve liver health and prevent liver cancer.

Beetroot juice – Beetroot juice has nitrates and antioxidants known as betalains that can improve heart health and minimize oxidative damage and inflammation.
Cruciferous vegetables – Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and mustard greens are full of fiber. These vegetables are also rich in beneficial plant compounds. In fact, both Brussels sprouts and broccoli sprout extract can boost levels of detoxification enzymes and protect the liver from damage.
Grapefruit – Grapefruit has naringenin and naringin, two antioxidants that can protect the liver. Grapefruit’s protective effects occur in two ways: by reducing inflammation and protecting cells.
Olive oil – Olive oil is considered a “good” kind of fat because it offers various health benefits. The oil is good for both heart and metabolic health. It is also beneficial for liver health. A study has determined that people with fatty liver disease who consumed a teaspoon (6.5 milliliters) of olive oil daily have improved liver enzyme and fat levels.
Tea – Tea is good for your health, but studies show that it can also help prevent liver cancer. Data from a large Japanese study has confirmed that drinking at least five to 10 cups of green tea daily can help improve blood markers of liver health.