Cholesterol is a natural and necessary part of the body. It not only helps build cell membranes and produce hormones, but also participates in the digestive process thanks to the role of bile, a substance produced by the liver. However, that does not mean that more cholesterol is better. When cholesterol levels in the blood exceed the allowable threshold, it can damage the liver itself.
The liver usually does not hurt or show obvious signs of problems. But when affected by high cholesterol for a long time, the liver can silently accumulate fat, become inflamed, and even lose function. This is especially dangerous because the liver is the body’s “chemical factory”, where it processes almost all the toxins and nutrients you take in every day.
Does high cholesterol damage the liver?
Including 3 negative effects as follows:
1. Causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
High cholesterol is one of the leading causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This is a condition in which fat accumulates in liver cells, causing the liver to become increasingly fat and function less effectively (especially excess cholesterol). Over time, if not controlled, fatty liver can progress to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis or even liver cancer.
Worryingly, early-stage fatty liver has almost no symptoms. You can still go about your daily activities and eat normally without knowing that your liver is gradually being suffocated by the accumulated fat layer.
2. Increases the risk of chronic hepatitis
When cholesterol accumulates in the liver, it not only causes fatty liver but also creates conditions for an inflammatory reaction to occur. Chronic hepatitis begins silently, but over time, the inflamed liver cells will gradually die, leaving scar tissue (fibrosis). This causes serious liver function to decline. The liver can no longer process toxins, does not synthesize enough protein, affecting the entire immune system and metabolism.
High cholesterol contributes to a prolonged state of inflammation, preventing the liver from recovering and you may not realize it until liver function tests warn that the condition has progressed.
3. Weakens the ability to produce and metabolize bile
Another important function of the liver is to produce bile, which helps digest fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). However, when the liver is damaged by cholesterol, the production and circulation of bile is disrupted. As a result, the body can no longer absorb nutrients well, slow digestion, bloating, indigestion, and lack of essential vitamins.
If this condition persists, it can cause gallstones, chronic digestive disorders, and reduced resistance. You may feel tired, lose appetite, nausea, or even itchy skin, which are signs that the liver and bile are not working properly.
What are the common signs?
Cholesterol damages the liver silently, but there are still warning signs if you pay close attention. Specifically:
- Feeling tired for a long time, not eating well, fullness after eating, mild pain in the right hypochondrium … are warning signs that the liver is calling for help.
- In later stages, jaundice, dark urine, unexplained itching or bleeding under the skin may appear. Unfortunately, many people still ignore these signs, thinking that they are just normal manifestations.
Tips to effectively control cholesterol to protect the liver
Below are tips you can apply:
1. Eat a reasonable diet, prioritize foods that are good for the liver
Instead of meals high in fatty meat, fried foods or animal organs, choose foods rich in soluble fiber, low in saturated fat and rich in antioxidants. Foods such as oats, green leafy vegetables, lentils, avocados, fatty fish, turmeric and green tea are all good for the liver and help control cholesterol.
Don’t forget to drink enough water, avoid alcoholic beverages and limit processed foods (which can overwork the liver).
2. Exercise gently but regularly
You don’t need to exercise intensely, just spending 30 minutes a day walking briskly, cycling, yoga or swimming is enough to help the liver function better, blood fat is consumed more effectively. Exercise helps improve heart rate, control weight and reduce visceral fat accumulation, especially in the liver area.
3. Avoid drug and stimulant abuse
Some painkillers, non-prescription anti-inflammatory drugs or alcohol can all burden the liver. If you are taking cholesterol medication (such as statins), take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor and have regular check-ups to monitor liver function.
4. Regular health check-ups and liver enzyme tests
Don’t wait until you feel tired, have jaundice or lose weight – have regular blood cholesterol levels, liver enzymes (ALT, AST), GGT checked and liver ultrasound if necessary. Early detection will help intervene promptly before the liver enters a stage where it cannot be restored.
