Nov. 13, 2025 | It’s the largest internal organ in your body and one of the few that regenerate yourself. We’re talking about the liver, which looks like a spongy, reddish-brown wedge of tissue. The wedge, which may be about the size and shape of a football, may weigh between three and five pounds and is located below the lungs in the right upper abdomen. The liver consists of four lobes, the larger right lobe and left lobe, and the smaller caudate lobe and quadrate lobe. The liver plays a crucial role in filtering blood, storing energy and producing bile for digestion. Unfortunately, hundreds of diseases and conditions can damage your liver so that it can’t work. Some of these can be life-threatening. Hepatologists, medical specialists who diagnose and treat liver disease, can treat and sometimes cure these diseases. And there are many things that you can do to keep your liver well and working as it should.

Nov. 13, 2025 | The liver is easily one of the human body’s most essential organs considering that it routinely performs over 500 vital functions. Every day, your liver filters more than 250 gallons of blood, removing toxins, byproducts and other harmful substances. It’s also responsible for producing bile, a fluid that is critical to the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. The liver stores significant amounts of vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, as well as iron and copper. Blood clotting coagulants are created using vitamin K, which can only be absorbed with the help of bile. The production of important proteins depends on amino acids. The liver makes sure amino acid levels in the bloodstream remain healthy. One of the most important roles of the liver is the production of albumin, a protein that keeps fluids in the bloodstream from leaking into surrounding tissue. It also carries hormones, vitamins and enzymes through the body.

Nov. 13, 2025 | According to the American Liver Foundation, more than 100 million people in the U.S. have some form of liver disease. Left untreated, liver disease can lead to liver failure and liver cancer. There are over 100 types of liver diseases, chronic conditions that do progressive damage to your liver over time. These include hepatitis, metabolic disorders and steatotic liver disease, also called fatty liver disease. Some of the common early symptoms of liver disease are upper abdominal pain, nausea and jaundice. When liver disease becomes more advanced and liver function begins to decline, the patient may develop symptoms like cognitive impairment, fatigue, dark-colored urine, musty smelling breath and swollen belly or legs. To diagnose liver disease, a blood test may be ordered to measure substances your liver produces, like liver enzymes and bilirubin. Imaging tests can show signs of inflammation, lesions or scarring.

Nov. 13, 2025 | Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, the body’s response to an infection or injury. There are five different types of hepatitis, hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. It is estimated that 115,900 new cases of hepatitis A, B and C occur annually in the U.S. Hepatitis D and E are not common in the U.S., but they do occur. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, usually short-term, liver infection that can be spread person-to-person and through tainted food or drink. Hepatitis B can be short-term but can progress to a life-long illness. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with blood, semen or other body fluids. Hepatitis C is spread through contact with blood from an infected person. Most people become infected by sharing needles or other equipment used to prepare and inject drugs. The opioid crisis has accelerated the spread of this virus. There are vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B, but no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Nov. 13, 2025 | There are many steps you can take to keep your liver functioning well and reduce your risk of liver disease. First and foremost, stay up to date on your shots. This includes getting vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, and getting your children vaccinated as well. Be sure to practice safe sex to reduce the risk of contracting hepatitis or other health problems. Wash your hands often, and do not share razors, toothbrushes or other personal items. If you get a tattoo or body piercing, make sure that the instruments are properly sterilized and used only once. Avoid taking unnecessary medications, as too many chemicals can harm the liver. And don’t mix any medications without the advice of a doctor. It’s also important to eat well. Consider the Mediterranean diet, which focuses on whole foods and healthy fats. Maintaining a weight that’s healthy for you can also help to prevent metabolic liver disease.