*This is not a substitute for professional medical advice or research.
The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body. It performs many vital functions, such as cleansing the blood, producing bile, storing energy, and fighting infections. However, the liver can also be damaged by various factors, such as viruses, toxic substances, contaminants, and diseases.
One of the most common liver problems in the world is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which now impacts 25 percent of Canadians, with 1 in 5 of those affected being children. I know this too well as I was diagnosed with this back in 2018; however, I was able to reverse it.
What is NAFLD?
NAFLD is a condition in which excess fat accumulates in the liver cells, causing inflammation and scarring. It can progress to a more serious form called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
NAFLD is often associated with metabolic disorders, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It can also affect children, especially those who are overweight or obese, or have a family history of the disease.
The good news is that this disease can be prevented and reversed by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
This is why it is important to teach children about liver health and how to take care of their liver from an early age.
Ways to Promote Liver Health in Children
Healthy Eating
Encourage a balanced diet that is low in saturated and trans fats, and high in fibre, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Avoid foods that are high in sugar, salt, and processed carbohydrates, as they can increase the risk of NAFLD.
Regular Physical Activity
Promote regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or playing sports. Exercise can help burn fat, maintain a healthy weight, and improve insulin sensitivity.
Sleep
Sleep has a significant impact on everyone’s health. It is important to encourage good sleeping habits, especially in children. Health Canada recommends nine to eleven hours of sleep per night for children ages five to thirteen, and eight to ten hours per night for children fourteen to seventeen years old.
It is important to have a good sleep routine down and one without interruptions to help get that good rest that everyone needs.
Education
Education is key for children to truly understand their liver and its responsibility in their body. In turn, educating children on the connection between their lifestyle choices and liver health is crucial to the learning process.
By teaching children about liver health and how to prevent NAFLD, we can help them avoid serious liver complications in the future and improve their quality of life. Liver health is not only important for adults but also for children, who are the future.
This leads us to how Nikki and I are promoting liver health education – we’re fundraising! Nikki has made a New Year’s Resolution to raise funds to help bring Liver Health Sessions to schools in Ontario, Canada.
“When you want to make a change, sometimes you need to do it yourself.” – Nikki, Age 9
Join us as we embark on Nikki’s 2nd Fundraising Journey! There are two ways to help Nikki reach her goal of $1,250 which would allow 150 students to benefit from a liver education lesson, presented by the Canadian Liver Foundation:
- Donate directly online, click here. Donations $20 or more qualify for a tax receipt which will be issued through the Canadian Liver Foundation’s secure site.
- Purchase a Loom Bracelet made by Nikki herself (like last year). Orders can be emailed to editor@mommabraga.com. Bracelets are $5 each and they do not qualify for a tax receipt.
Let’s make liver health a priority for our children and ourselves. To find out more about liver disease, go to liver.ca.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
~ Momma Braga