#20 - SAVE YOUR LIVER

The Healthy Rotarian – Save Your Liver!

The liver is the largest internal organ in the body located on the right side of the body under the rib cage.  It weighs approximately 3 lbs. and is the size of a football.  The gallbladder is under the liver with part of the pancreas and the intestines. 

These organs work together to digest, absorb, and process food.  The main function of the liver is to filter blood from the digestive tract before passing it on to the rest of the body.  It also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs.  The liver secretes bile into the intestines to facilitate further processing of food.  The liver makes specific proteins essential to blood clotting and other functions.  The health of the liver is determined by a blood liver profile. 

Alcohol is broken down by the liver in order to rid the body of this non-essential chemical.  Consuming more alcohol than the liver can process will cause it damage.  A fatty liver, alcohol hepatitis/cirrhosis may result from obesity and high consumption of fats/sugars and alcohol.  The liver can be silent even when it is in the early stages of damage. 

WARNING:  Taking too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can cause liver damage.  Acetaminophen is found in over 600 medications, prescriptions, and over the counter pain, cold, and cough remedies.  Adult daily limit is 6 extra-strength Tylenol taken from all sources.  Drink your water to support the function of the liver and “wash your sins” (alcohol-sugar-fat) away!

Nurse Sipple