Liver Health

Liver health is critical to human life. The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body and it performs a number of metabolic functions that you cannot live without.  

The human liver is a wedge-shaped organ located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. The liver is the largest gland in the human body, and is the second largest organ (the skin, which is also considered to be an organ, is larger).

The liver sits in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen near the stomach and gallbladder, and below the heart and lungs. It is the second largest organ in the human body. Only the skin, which is considered to be an organ, is larger. The liver is the largest gland in the body. 

A common question, especially among students, is "what side is your liver on?" See the picture above right to learn the location of the liver in the human body.

The human liver usually weighs 3-4 pounds, or about 1.5 kilograms grams. Generally speaking, it accounts for about 2 percent of the body mass of adults.

The purpose of the liver is to perform the following functions, and many others:

• synthesizing proteins,
• storing of glucose and certain vitamins,
• metabolism of carbohydrate, protein and fats,
• filtering toxic materials which can damage the body,
• producing substances that break down fats,
• producing urea, which is the main substance of urine,
• making certain amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein,
• producing most of the cholesterol in the body.

Diseases and threats

Hepatitis. Hepatitis is a form of liver inflammation, usually caused a viral infection, parasitic attack, impure blood transfusion, or toxins that are ingested or introduced into the body. Hepatitis can be a major health threat, especially if it becomes chronic. In the most serious cases, it can result in liver failure and death.

Cirrhosis. This is often referred to as "cirrhosis of the liver," but medically speaking, it is simply called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a chronic inflammation of the liver resulting from alcohol abuse. It can lead to liver failure and even death,

Fatty Liver Syndrome. Also known as fatty liver disease because fat droplets begin to build up on the liver and compromise liver function. Causes include poor diet and abuse of alcohol. It's believed that approximately one person in ten in the United States has fatty liver disease.

Liver Cancer. There are two major types of liver cancer. Metastatic liver cancer is a type that actually starts somewhere else in the body (often in the lungs) and spreads, or "metastasizes," to the liver. The other major type of liver cancer is called hepatocellular cancer or carcinoma, also known as hepatoma. arises in the cells of the liver itself. Hepatocellular cancer may or may not spread to other organs. The overwhelming majority of liver cancer cases begin in the liver cells themselves. It's estimated that there are about half a million new cases of new liver cancer new cases in the world annually.

Other common liver problems include enlarged liver and liver cysts.

Diagnosing liver problems

Symptoms of liver problems generally don't appear early in the disease process, which makes diagnosis of fatty liver, cirrhosis and liver cancer difficult. Symptoms often appear only after the liver has suffered significant and even permanent damage. The liver is remarkably resilient and tends to keep functioning without any outward signs that a problem may be developing.

Many doctors have begun to run liver function tests as part of routine checkups and physicals, especially with older patients.

Liver pain is usually the first indication that something isn't right. A dull ache, tenderness or discomfort in the right upper quadrant is a typical symptom of a liver problem. Such pain may result from a problem with the liver itself, or it may be connected to the gallbladder, blood vessels, or the biliary tract.

Treatment and Cures

As with most health issues, the best cure is for any kind of liver problem is prevention. Eating a low fat diet, getting some exercise, using alcohol moderately or not at all, and enjoying a generally healthy lifestyle will usually help you avoid liver problems.

A number of people believe that liver cleansing or detoxification has significant health benefits. Liver cleansing can be done using a compound that includes a number of natural herbs and foods.

Liver transplant surgery has come a long way in recent years, but such surgery is still an option of last resort in most cases.