Live Well

LIVE WELL

Knowing Your Organs: The Liver

2 mins read

WHAT IS THE LIVER?

Our second largest organ
Associated with over 500 distinct functions
The only organ that can regenerate to its previous size and function fully during regeneration¹

THE LIVER’S MAIN ROLES:

As an essential part of the digestive system, the liver:

Filters and removes harmful toxins from the body (like alcohol, drugs and even hormones)
Produces bile that breaks down fat and protein
Stores and releases carbohydrates to the body
Contains cells that help to defend the body’s immunity

Your liver can fall sick, too!

Common complications can occur, when the liver is not taken care of properly.

These are some of them:

MR. FILTER’S TIPS

FOR GOOD LIVER HEALTH:

Eliminate or reduce alcohol intake.
High alcohol intake can damage liver tissue, which could result in scarring (cirrhosis) or fatty liver disease.

Live a healthy, active lifestyle to reduce or eliminate obesity.
Weight loss is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of fatty liver, liver inflammation and liver scarring

Get vaccinated against Hepatitis infections.
There are vaccines available for the Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B virus.

Don’t share personal grooming items like razors and toothbrushes.
Exposure to blood infected with Hepatitis C increases risk of contracting it.

Similarly, ensure that needles used for tattooing, body piercings or acupuncture are sterile.

The above articles are intended for informational purposes only. AIA accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from reliance on information contained in the articles.

References
¹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2701258/
²https://www.healthline.com/health/fatty-liver#symptoms
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354573
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305075.php
https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/kidney-urinary/kidney2.htm
https://www.healthline.com/health/fatty-liver#risk
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cirrhosis/
https://www.zocdoc.com/answers/11828/how-is-hepatitis-contracted
https://www.everydayhealth.com/hepatitis/preventing-hepatitis.aspx
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23315899
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/liver_biliary_and_pancreatic_disorders/liver_anatomy_and_functions_85,P00676