lcp

The Impact of Environmental Toxins on Liver Health

Written by GHBY Team on Tue, 01 August 2023 — Fact checked by Dr. Stefanenko Irina Borisovna

Key Highlights

  • Environmental toxins are harmful substances that can be found anywhere around us, and in products we use.
  • Continued use of these harmful products can result in toxic products accumulating in the body’s organs, including the liver.
  • Heavy metals, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, etc., are some of the commonly found toxins that can affect the liver.
  • Toxins accumulating in the liver can cause inflammation, cell death and impaired liver function. They can also trigger various liver diseases, including cancer.
  • Eating a clean, healthy diet, preventing exposure to environmental pollutants and using safe or organic cleaning products are a few ways to protect your liver from toxin-related liver damage or toxic hepatitis.
viewbox

Environmental toxins are harmful substances that can be found in the air, water, soil, food, and consumer products we use. These toxins are common in industrial waste and pesticides and contribute to water and air pollution. When exposed to environmental toxins, they accumulate in our organs, especially the liver.

When the liver is exposed to high levels of environmental toxins, it can become overwhelmed and damaged, giving rise to several health conditions.

Environmental toxins

Toxins that affect the liver can damage liver cells, impair liver function, and increase liver disease risk. So, exposure to environmental toxins can also affect how medications are processed by the liver, potentially leading to adverse drug reactions.

Toxic hepatitis is a condition that occurs when the liver gets inflamed due to toxin or chemical exposure.

Types of environmental toxins that affect the liver

Here are some common types of environmental toxins that can affect the liver:

  1. Heavy metals: Metals like mercury, cadmium, and arsenic are called heavy metals and are common causative agents leading of liver damage. These metals can contaminate soil, water, air, and some foods and products. They disrupt the liver's ability to detoxify other toxins. These heavy metals also cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death in the liver.
  2. Pesticides: These are chemicals added to the soil while growing crops to control pests such as insects, weeds, and rodents. However, they get leached into food, water, air, and soil. Most pesticides are toxic to the liver. Long-term pesticide exposure is associated with liver cancer, cirrhosis, and other liver diseases. Organochlorines, organophosphates, and pyrethroids are the most common liver toxic pesticides.
  3. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): These are chemicals used in electrical equipment, paints, and other industrial applications. Though they were banned way back in the 1970s, they are still found lingering in the environment and some products of the food chain. PCBs can accumulate in the liver, cause liver damage, and increase the risk of inflammation and liver cancer.
  4. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): PAHs are chemicals formed during the incomplete burning of fossil fuels and other organic matter. They can be found in air pollution, cigarette smoke, and charred or grilled foods. PAHs can damage the liver by causing oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death.
  5. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): These are chemicals found in paints, cleaning products, other household items, and outdoor air pollution. Some VOCs can be toxic to the liver and can cause liver damage and disease.
  6. Bisphenol A (BPA): BPA is a chemical used in some plastics, food packaging, and other products. It can leach into food and beverages and can also be found in the environment. BPA can disrupt liver function and increase the risk of liver disease.

Types of environmental toxins that affect the liver

How do environmental toxins affect liver health

Environmental toxins can affect liver health in several ways. The liver plays a vital role in metabolising and detoxifying harmful substances, but when exposed to high levels of toxins, it can become overwhelmed and damaged. Here are some ways environmental toxins can impact liver health:

  1. Oxidative stress: Some environmental toxins, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and pollutants, can cause oxidative stress in liver cells. Oxidative stress is when the number of free radicals in the body is higher than the antioxidants available. This can damage liver cells and increase the risk of liver disease.
  2. Inflammation: Exposure to environmental toxins can cause inflammation in the liver. Chronic inflammation leads to the development of liver diseases like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, and viral hepatitis.
  3. Cell death: Certain environmental toxins, such as aflatoxins, can cause cell death in liver cells. This can cause liver scarring, eventually leading to the organ’s failure.
  4. Impaired liver function: Environmental toxins can impair the liver's ability to detoxify harmful substances. This can lead to the accumulation of toxins in the liver and increase the risk of liver disease.

Treatment and prevention of toxic hepatitis

Here are some potential treatments for liver damage caused by environmental toxins:

  1. Stop exposure to toxins: The first and foremost thing to do to prevent liver damage is to stop exposure to environmental toxins.
  2. Detoxification therapies: Detoxification therapies, such as chelation therapy, can help remove heavy metals and other toxins from the body.
  3. Medications: Few medications can help improve liver function and reduce inflammation associated with toxin-related liver damage.
  4. Lifestyle changes: Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding alcohol, can help improve liver health.
  5. Supportive therapies: Supportive therapies, such as nutritional supplements and acupuncture, can help support liver health and improve overall well-being.
  6. Liver transplant: In severe cases of liver damage, a liver transplant may be needed to restore liver function.

Here’s how you can prevent exposure to environmental toxins:

  1. Choose organic foods: Organic foods are grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, which can reduce exposure to environmental toxins.
  2. Avoid processed foods: Processed foods may contain additives, preservatives, and other chemicals that can harm health.
  3. Use natural cleaning products: Cleaning products almost always contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to health. It is best to use natural cleaning products, like vinegar and baking soda, which can reduce exposure to environmental toxins.
  4. Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke: Cigarette smoke contains many harmful chemicals that can damage the liver and other organs.
  5. Reduce exposure to air pollution: Avoiding high-traffic areas and using air filters in the home can help reduce exposure to air pollution.
  6. Use a water filter: Water can contain contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides. Using a water filter can reduce exposure to these toxins.
  7. Minimise the use of plastic: Limiting the use of plastic vessels, bottles etc., in day-to-day life can help reduce exposure to toxins like BPA. Instead, stainless steel or glass items can be used.

Conclusion

Heavy metals, pesticides, and pollutants strain the liver and affect its ability to detoxify harmful substances, leading to liver damage and disease. Environmental toxins can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, and impaired liver function.

One must be aware of the potential impact of environmental toxins on liver health, take steps to reduce exposure, and seek medical advice if experiencing symptoms of liver damage. Prevention is the best approach regarding environmental toxins and liver health.

viewbox

GHBY Team

GHBY Team comprises content writers and content editors who specialise in health and lifestyle writing. Always on the lookout for new trends in the health and lifestyle space, Team GHBY follows an audience-first approach. This ensures they bring the latest in the health space to your fingertips, so you can stay ahead in your wellness game. 
 

Did you like our Article?

Excited

1

Happy

0

Not Sure

2

Silly

0

Leave a Comment

Our team of experts frequently monitors developments in the health and wellness field, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Aug, 01 2023

Written By

GHBY Team

Fact checked By

Dr. Stefanenko Irina Borisovna