How to Undo Liver Damage

A host of liver diseases exists. These include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and cirrhosis. Liver diseases cannot be undone entirely. However, treatment can greatly reduce the symptoms and prevent future problems.

Instructions

• 1

  Consume milk thistle. Milk thistle is an herb native to the Mediterranean and is believed to improve liver function. Most commonly, it is used to treat cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis. According to the National Institutes of Health, there have been some scientific studies of milk thistle and its effect on liver disease in humans. While initial studies have mostly been promising, additional research is needed.

• 2

  Stop consuming alcohol. Alcohol is the most common cause of illness and death from liver disease in the United States, according to an article published in Alcohol Health and Research World, a peer- review journal published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Exposing your liver cells to toxins can cause liver disease and lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Thus, even if you have already damaged your liver through alcohol use, you can prevent further damage by abstaining from alcohol.

• 3

  Change your diet. An unhealthy diet can cause liver problems, according to the American Liver Foundation. A healthy diet should reduce the amount of deep-fried and fatty foods that you consume and increase the amount of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, rice and cereals that you consume. Moreover, obesity damages the liver. Losing weight can help you avoid future liver problems.

• 4

  Avoid exposure to harmful toxins. According to the American Liver Foundation, toxins are processed by the liver. Thus, avoiding them is critical to preventing further liver damage. If you currently use cleansers and aerosol products, make sure that you are using them in a well-ventilated area. Moreover, insecticides can enter your body through your skin and destroy liver cells. Thus, be sure to use masks and gloves to cover your skin when using these products and wash your hands after use. These simple steps can prevent further liver damage.