Rose Mabiza

31-01-2024

Love Your Liver Awareness Month 2025

Image by RossHelen via Envato Elements

Prioritise your liver: Embracing change for a healthier future

January is the perfect time to focus on our health and well-being as we enter a new year. One often overlooked but essential organ that deserves our attention is the liver. Welcome to Love Your Liver Awareness Month 2025, where we encourage you to show some love to this remarkable organ that performs over 500 vital tasks to keep you alive and well.

What is Love Your Liver Awareness Month?

Love Your Liver Awareness Month, typically in January, is an annual campaign to promote liver health and raise awareness about liver disease. Organised by organisations like The British Liver Trust, this initiative emphasises the significance of the liver's multifaceted role in maintaining our overall health. It educates the public about the preventable causes of liver disease, such as excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and viral hepatitis, while encouraging healthier lifestyle choices.

The campaign's core message is to empower individuals to take proactive measures to safeguard their liver's well-being, from reducing alcohol intake to adopting a balanced diet and protecting against viral hepatitis. Love Your Liver Awareness Month serves as a vital reminder of the importance of liver health and the steps we can take to ensure its longevity and optimal function.

Why should you love your liver?

The liver is an unsung hero in our bodies. It's responsible for many functions, from processing food into energy to filtering blood and breaking down harmful substances like alcohol and drugs. Despite its importance, it often takes a backseat to other organs like the heart and lungs. In the UK, liver disease is on the rise, and it's essential to understand the significant preventable causes: excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and viral hepatitis.

Liver disease often progresses silently, with no symptoms until it's too late for treatment. Therefore, it's crucial to identify risk factors and prioritise liver health to prevent lasting damage. This January, let's pledge to love our livers and take steps towards better liver health.

Three ways to love your liver in January

Reduce alcohol intake

Your liver plays a significant role in processing alcohol, but excessive drinking can lead to Alcohol-Related Liver Disease (ARLD) and even liver cancer. It's recommended that both men and women should consume no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, as advised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Give your liver a break by having 2 to 3 consecutive alcohol-free days each week, allowing your liver cells to repair themselves.

Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine

Being overweight increases the risk of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), formerly known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), which can cause lasting liver damage over time. Opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, reduce portion sizes, and limit saturated fats and sugar intake to maintain a healthy weight. Just 30 minutes daily, regular physical activity benefits your liver and overall well-being.

Protect against viral hepatitis

Hepatitis, liver inflammation, can be caused by various viruses, with hepatitis B and C being the most common. Vaccines and treatments are available to prevent and manage these infections. To reduce the risk of exposure, avoid sharing needles or drug equipment, use protection during sexual activity, and ensure the use of sterile equipment for procedures like tattoos and piercings. If you suspect exposure to the virus, seek testing and appropriate care.

Conclusion

As we celebrate Love Your Liver Awareness Month 2025, take the first step towards better liver health. Recognise the risks, make informed lifestyle changes, and appreciate your liver’s role in your well-being. The British Liver Trust offers valuable resources to support you on your journey towards improved liver health.

At The Mandatory Training Group, we understand the importance of compliance and healthy practices in healthcare and related fields. If you're seeking compliance solutions, explore ComplyPlus™ designed to streamline your compliance processes and enhance organisational efficiency.

Let’s make January a month of positive change and overall well-being. Start the year by prioritising your health and embracing a balanced lifestyle. Your liver works tirelessly for you; now is the time to return the favour.

Last updated on 10-01-2025

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