The liver is one of the most important organs in the body. It performs many functions that keep our bodies running properly. Liver damage poses a huge threat to your health and longevity. Prevention is key should liver damage occur. For this reason, knowing the signs is extremely important for getting your liver health back on track as quickly as possible.
What Is The Liver and What Does It Do?
The liver is the largest internal organ in your body. It’s located in the upper right-hand side of your abdomen, just below your diaphragm. It plays a critical role in carrying out thousands of functions. It converts nutrients from food into energy and stores vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients for later use. The liver also helps to form bile which helps break down fats. (1)
In addition to these functions, the liver is also responsible for removing toxins from the body through digestion and excretion. When it becomes overloaded with toxins or damaged by disease, it can no longer perform its vital functions effectively and will begin to show signs of damage.
What are some common causes of liver damage?
The most common cause of liver damage is alcohol abuse, leading to fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis). Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat builds up in the cells of the liver which causes inflammation and scarring over time. Most often, liver damage leading to liver disease and failure happens gradually over time. Knowing the signs and symptoms is important so that you can take action as quickly as possible. The earlier you do so, the better your outcome will be. Other common causes include (2):
- Hepatitis A (infectious)
- Hepatitis B Virus (infectious)
- Hepatitis C Virus (bloodborne)
- Autoimmune Conditions (inflammation)
- Trauma (e.g. car accident)
- Toxins (e.g., alcohol, other drugs, chemicals)
- Metabolic Disorders (e.g. diabetes)
- Viral Infections (e.g. Epstein Barr Virus, HIV/AIDS)
Read: 9 Foods That Support Liver Function
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