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Author:
Kevin Stith

The liver processes nutrients from the digestive system. It also removes toxins from the body, and produces a greenish-brown fluid known as bile that is required for digestion. There are a wide number of diseases that affect the liver. They range from chronic illnesses such as hepatitis and cirrhosis to acute conditions such as cancer or bile duct obstruction. Millions of Americans have both chronic and acute liver disease. Liver cancer, portal hypertension and bile duct obstruction are three of the most common liver diseases.

The liver is the largest organ in the body and proper function is essential for life. You cannot live without your liver, as it converts food into stored energy and produces chemicals that are vital to life.

The liver processes carbohydrates, proteins, fats and minerals that are used to maintain normal body functions. Carbohydrates are stored to maintain energy throughout the day. Proteins are released to the muscles as energy or are stored for later use. Some are converted and excreted through urine. Some proteins are transformed into ammonia that is broken down by the liver and excreted through the kidneys. Bile is produced in the liver and that helps break down fat that is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine. Bile absorbs essential vitamins and after digestion and are returned to the liver and recycled.

There are many types of liver disease and most causes are not known. However, poor nutrition has been attributed to a leading cause of liver disease. It is well known that good nutrition can in fact help the damaged liver to regenerate new liver cells.

Liver Disease provides detailed information on Liver Disease, Liver Disease Symptoms, Fatty Liver Disease, Alcoholic Liver Disease and more. Liver Disease is affiliated with Kidney Stones In Women.

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A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Hepatitis... Hepatitis C Virus Hepatitis C is one of the seven types of hepatitis, a disease that takes on many forms and features inflammation of the liver. Although this type does not reveal many signs or symptoms, there are various treatments that can be used to cure this disease, one of which is a combination of interferon alfa injections and ribavirin capsules. But for mild hepatitis C, doctors will recommend bed rest, a healthy diet, and some medications after diagnosis. Hepatitis C is diagnosed through a blood test to determine the severity of the disease. In the case of chronic hepatitis, the illness can be assessed through a tissue sample from the liver. Aside from this, there are many other tests for liver function that can be conducted to determine to what extent the liver is affected by the hepatitis C virus. In 1989, investigators at Chiron, Inc., discovered the hepatitis C virus, better known as HCV. This is an enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNA virus of the Hepacivirus genus and Flaviviridae family. This virus binds to receptors, the CD81 and Scavenger Receptor class b1, on liver tissue when circulating in the bloodstream. Based on genetic differences, HCV is classified into six genotypes that can be transmitted by blood contact. Unlike hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. But there are available treatments that may vary depending on the HCV genotype. In spite of the discovery of HCV, much experimentation should still be done in order to come up with drugs to better treat this disease. Even with the development of excellent diagnostic methods, the production of specific drugs that work against HCV is yet to come. But with the advancement in science and technology, they soon will be discovered. Hepatitis C provides detailed information on...