Is life worth living? It all depends on the liver.
William James
Sometimes, we’re so busy going about the business of life that we forget all about the liver! And yet, pay attention to it we must, because after all, as the Hepatitis International Foundation puts it, your liver is your ‘pantry, garbage disposal, food processor, refinery, engine and guardian angel!’
So love and protect your liver, and it will love—and guard—you right back!
Fun Fact: The Greek word for ‘Liver’ is ‘hepar’. That’s why, words related to the liver usually begin with hepato or hepatic.
Your Liver: The Vital Statistics
Weight: About 1.36 kg
Color: reddish brown
Location: on the right side of your abdomen, below the diaphragm
Claim to fame: it’s your body’s largest internal organ and largest gland. Also one of the most hard working.
What the Liver Does
- Breaks down fat
- Makes bile, which aids in digestion
- Makes heparin, a substance that prevents the blood from clotting as it travels through your system
- Converts glucose into glycogen
- Forms urea (the main substance of the urine)
- Produces about 80% of the cholesterol in your body
- Stores vitamins and minerals for fuel
- Makes certain amino acids
- Filters harmful substances from the blood (such as alcohol)
- Can swell to hold huge amounts of blood which can be released into the body in an emergency
- Generates a lot of waste heat that warms the less active regions of the body
And these are just a handful of the 500+ duties your liver performs, daily, non-stop.
Your Liver Loves…
- Salads and light soups
- Stir-fries and steamed veggies
- Beans, whole grains and nuts
- Fresh juice, fruits and herbs
- Foods rich in antioxidants: cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, fresh sprouts, beets
- Water—plenty of it during the day
Don’t Load Your Liver With…
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Unnecessary medication, especially antibiotics
- Tobacco
- Canned and processed foods
- Refined white sugar
- Excess oil and salt
The Liver is a Living Miracle!
One of the most magical qualities of the liver is its ability to regenerate: Three quarters of the liver can be removed and it will grow back in the same shape and form within a few weeks! But, there’s only so much your liver can take. Load it with too much alcohol, for example, and it can go into cirrhosis—permanent damage.
Did You Know
Many over-the-counter pain, cold and cough relievers contain acetaminophen, an ingredient that can react with alcohol to cause sudden and severe hepatitis, leading to fatal liver failure. Clearly, you should never combine these two substances. When in doubt about what medicines to take simultaneously, ask your doctor. (Source: Hepatitis Foundation International)