The Most Popular Liver Related Questions Asked On Quora – Dr Nivedita’s Take On Them

The Organ We Cannot Survive Without 

In our body, the liver has many important jobs. It is the detoxifier in our body and is responsible for the metabolism and synthesis of protein and helps produce essential chemicals needed for digestion, storage of glycogen, and decomposition of red blood cells, which directly influences the production of necessary hormones. Major changes in our daily lifestyle can cause specific changes in the working of the liver. I suggest we keep in mind certain factors that may help us inculcate necessary changes for our liver’s smooth working. 

What is the liver?

The Liver is the largest gland in the body. It is reddish-brown and weighs about 1.5 kg. It lies on the right side of the abdominal cavity in the concavity of the diaphragm.  

What is the function of the liver?

The liver produces bile juice stored in the gallbladder and is released in the duodenum through the common bile duct. It also synthesises several proteins that are needed for basic functioning, like clotting blood.

What is the normal size of the liver in cm?

The average liver size in women is 7 cm, while in men, it is 10.5 cm. It is the second-largest organ in our body next to the skin!

What is the treatment of grade 1 fatty liver?

Grade 1 fatty liver, which is also known as the simple fatty liver, is curable. It is caused due to excess accumulation of fat in the liver and can be easily eliminated by proper guidance to channel healthy habits and treatment by gastroenterologists.

Is fatty liver grade 2 dangerous for your health?

Not directly, however simple fatty liver can often lead to the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A person suffering from NASH can have extreme pain in the top right portion of the abdomen due to inflammation or liver cells’ damage.

In my general opinion, it is a reversible form of fatty liver and can be cured by certain mandatory changes in the form of the lifestyle of a person, but if left untreated, it can lead to liver scarring conditions like cirrhosis.

What foods are recommended for people with fatty liver disease?

I suggest you should consume the following foods that are extremely efficient in the reduction of fatty liver and can be easily indulged in your daily meals:-

  • Vegetables– Green vegetables can act as natural detoxifiers and help in enhancing blood levels in liver cells.
  • Fish or other seafood– Fishes have omega-three fatty acids that help balance our body’s insulin levels.
  • Various kinds of nuts– They have monounsaturated fats, which help in weight loss and decrease inflammation levels.
  • Green tea – serves as a great source of antioxidants and can be used as a healthy alternative.
  • Various kinds of Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements also play a vital role in the gradual improvement of the liver condition.

Is there such a thing as a liver infection that isn’t considered hepatitis?

Yes, not every liver infection needs to be considered hepatitis. Liver infection can get caused by numerous factors like consuming contaminated food and water and getting transmitted by blood or semen. But the most common form of liver infection is hepatitis. Non-viral hepatitis can often lead to liver cancer, liver failure followed by death.

What food should I eat when I have liver damage?

I recommend the consumption of:-

  • Fruits /vegetables can influence our liver’s metabolism rate as they are rich in enzymes and antioxidants, which helps in the easy detoxification of organs, keeping them healthy.
  • Oatmeal, as it’s rich in soluble fibres, helps reduce further diseases like fatty liver, cholesterol, etc., and it helps in smooth bowel movement.
  • Coffee serves as a beneficial ingredient for further improvement of the liver as it has shown proven results in the case of cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, it should be consumed in moderate quantities.
  • Plant foods are a healthy dietary alternative that gives biological and nutritional support to the liver by providing the required amount of compounds and elements.

How severe is grade 3 fatty liver?

Grade 3 fatty liver can cause pretty severe conditions, but it’s also durable. It can be reversed by eliminating certain unhealthy habits and the addition of certain healthy habits while it will worsen without proper treatment and dietary habits.

How do I cure fatty liver naturally?

You can incorporate the following habits and practices to help eliminate fatty liver:

Suggestions For A Healthy Liver And Life

Hence I can conclude with the fact that by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet we can achieve the best form of our physical health while on the other hand if we continue with our unhealthy lifestyle and indulge in unnecessary consumption of alcohol, junk foods, etc. we would end up being obese, which would gradually pull out other health complications one after the other leading to fatty liver or liver cancer. So it’s up to us what we are going to do, and ignoring minor liver problems can also lead to a massive health problem later; therefore, it’s our duty to maintain a balance in our regular way of living and consult a gastroenterologist if going through further complications.