The liver performs numerous important functions:

• provides the majority of detoxification processes and protein synthesis
• production of essential bio-chemicals used in digestion
• metabolic processes
• metabolizes and monitors blood-glucose levels by converting glucose to glycogen and then storing glycogen
• breaks down red blood cells
• contributes to hormone production
• generates bile which is an alkaline compound and supports in digestion
• produces about 80% of the body's cholesterol
• produces substances which help in breaking down the fats
• produces the urea, present in the urine.
• makes certain acids like amino acids (the building blocks for protiens, enzymes, etc)
• aids the filtering of harmful substances from the blood like alcohol
• stores vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin K and Vitamin B12.

The liver supports every system and organ in the body. Taking care of the liver is fundamental to alternative medicine.

For more information, contact Dr. Holly at holly [at] choicesunlimited [dot] ca

The following is taken from: http://www.tutorvista.com/biology/liver-damage-cause

Liver Damage Cause

Damage to the liver occurs when a person catches a disease like jaundice, Wilson’s disease, inflammation of the liver which is also known as hepatitis, cirrhosis and cancer.

If a person consumes alcohol for a long period of time then, this alcohol disturbs the metabolism of the liver. This can have a harmful effect on the body.

Also certain medicines which have been prescribed to the patients can cause damage to the liver.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease which is associated with obesity can cause damage to the liver; this is because of excess fat in the liver.

Liver damage is also caused by cirrhosis. In cirrhosis there is formation of a fibrous tissue in the liver. These fibrous tissues then replace the dead liver cells.

Liver damage is also caused when there is collection of iron in the body.

Wilson’s disease which is a hereditary disease can cause damage to the liver because of retention of copper in the body.

Liver damage may also be caused by medications prescribed by the physician or by regular intake of vitamins or hormones.

 Symptoms of a Diseased Liver , Detection of the Cause and Remedies

 The external signs of a diseased liver are:

• The tongue of the person suffering from a diseased or damaged liver becomes coated with a whitish coat.
• The person suffering from a diseased or damaged liver sweats excessively.
• An offensive odor emerges from the person’s body.
• He / She suffers from constant itching.
• The person suffering from a diseased or damaged liver finds his eyes itching too.
• Dark circles appear under the person’s eyes.
• The urine of the person suffering from a diseased or damaged liver becomes dark yellow.
• The spleen of the person suffering from a diseased or damaged liver enlarges.
• The gall bladder of a person suffering from a diseased or damaged liver enlarges too.
• The signs of a person suffering from a diseased or damaged liver may be physical as well as there may be a variety of symptoms related to digestion.
• He / She may suffer from blood sugar problem.