Tuesday, August 11, 2015

The Liver

Your Liver 

The liver is the largest internal organ, located behind the ribcage on the right side of the abdomen.  It weighs approximately three pounds and is about the size of a football.  The liver is responsible for some 500 vital functions.  It processes virtually everything you eat, breathe, or absorb through the skin.  The liver converts substances you eat and drink into energy and the building blocks for muscles, hormones, clotting factors, and immune factors.  It store many vitamins, minerals, and sugars for later use.  Liver cells produce bile, which helps the body digest food and absorb nutrients.  The liver detoxifies substances that are harmful to the body.  It can regenerate its own tissue--as much as 3/4 of the liver can regenerate within a few weeks.

Environmental Toxins

Everything you breathe or absorb through the skin must be filtered by the liver, fumes from paint thinners, pesticides, and aerosol sprays can damage your liver and should be avoided.


HAV and HBV Vaccination

It is strongly recommended that people with HCV get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B

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