Brain Health And The Liver

How can the liver impact your brain health?

The liver is the body´s toxin filter and an important regulator of the metabolism, storage, and absorption of nutrients. Everything we eat, drink, or inhale goes through our liver. When the liver is not working properly and fails to conduct its functions at full capacity, toxins start building up in the blood. When these unprocessed toxins enter the brain, this can have a number of psychiatric, psychological, and neurocognitive implications. One of the most frequent neurological complications of chronic liver disease is a neurological disorder called Hepatic Encephalopathy.

What is Hepatic Encephalopathy?

Hepatic Encephalopathy is a brain dysfunction caused by liver´s inability to remove toxins from the blood. Hepatic Encephalopathy can manifest itself as a variety of symptoms including:

• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Disorientation
• Apathy and fatigue
• Problems with motor function
• Sleep alterations
• Confusion and brain fog
• Muscle witches
• Inappropriate behavior

Hepatic Encephalopathy can be diagnosed based on patient´s medical history, symptoms, and clinical tests such as blood test, ammonia level test, CT and MRI scans as well as the liver function test. Fortunately, Hepatic Encephalopathy is treatable and reversible.

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How can you support your brain health?

Since liver disease is the most prevalent cause of Hepatic Encephalopathy, it is crucially important to ensure optimal liver health or ensure proper disease management, if liver disease has already developed. Taking care of your liver health means:

• Following a healthy diet low in sugar, salt, fat, starch, and gluten.
• Incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine.
• Keeping your body properly hydrated.
• Avoiding alcohol and drugs.
• Undergoing regular medical check-ups.
• Avoiding over-the-counter supplements unless prescribed by your doctor.
• Spending more time in the fresh air.

Sources:

Vilstrup, H., Amodio, P., Bajaj, J., Cordoba, J., Ferenci, P., Mullen, K.D., Weissenborn, K. and Wong, P. (2014), Hepatic encephalopathy in chronic liver disease: 2014 Practice Guideline by the American Association for the Study Of Liver Diseases and the European Association for the Study of the Liver. Hepatology, 60: 715-735

Cleveland Clinic

American Liver Foundation