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For most people, the liver carries out its important bodily functions without making much of a fuss.

But from ultra-processed foods to environmental toxins, our livers are processing more complex substances today than at any point in human history.

Because of its key role in your health, understanding your liver’s condition isn't just medical wisdom — it's an investment in your overall well-being.

It’s time to check in on your liver. Explore why this remarkable organ deserves more of your attention and how you can ensure it continues to serve you well for years to come.

Your liver’s vital role

Arguably the hardest-working organ in your body, your liver carries out over 500 essential functions every day. It’s located in the upper right portion of your abdomen and weighs only about 1,400 grams (3 pounds) but processes everything you eat, drink, or absorb through your skin.

Your liver is your body’s internal processing plant. It carries out most of the detoxification functions for your whole body, filtering almost 1.5 litres of blood every minute. In this process, harmful substances are converted into harmless ones that your body can safely eliminate. But its role extends far beyond detoxification…

As well as dealing with the toxins in your system, your liver also processes nutrients from food. It converts carbohydrates into glucose for energy, and stores away the excess glucose for later.

It also breaks down fats and produces cholesterol, which is the essential first step of hormone production. Your liver helps create proteins essential for blood plasma — vital for blood clotting. It also produces bile, which helps break down and absorb fats.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the liver is its regenerative capacity. Your liver can re-grow lost parts and even recover from serious damage. Since the liver is the only organ in the body with this ability, researchers are trying to find out if they can pass the trait to other organs.

Modern life vs your liver

Our modern lifestyles pose new and unique challenges to liver health that generations before us never faced.

The complex compounds and substances in our modern diet add an extra layer of difficulty when the liver tries to process them.

In fact, there’s a condition specifically linked to this so-called ‘Western’ diet — nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The high-energy, high-sugar and ultra-processed foods in the standard Western diet force the liver to work even harder… That’s before even considering high alcohol consumption!

It’s not just our diets which are impacting the liver more than ever before. The environmental degradation of our planet means pollutants and pesticides contaminate water supplies. Eventually, these poisons reach our livers, wreaking havoc.

What’s worse, our reliance on plastic means microplastics are impairing liver function and increasing chronic liver conditions such as fibrosis. Being climate-conscious isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for your liver, too!

High levels of stress combined with low physical activity create a perfect storm for liver problems. Both of these are core elements of modern life, and for most people, they’re impossible to avoid. Both reduce blood flow to the liver, impairing its ability to detoxify our bodies.

Subtle signs and symptoms

In many cases, your liver won’t show obvious signs of a problem. Subtle symptoms are easy to dismiss as nothing, but over time, these can develop into something more serious. That’s why it’s so important not to ignore specific signs of a problem.

What exactly should we look out for when it comes to liver issues?

General fatigue is very common in general, but if you’re getting sufficient sleep and still feel excessively tired, it could be related to your liver. Fatigue is the most common symptom of liver disease, although scientists aren’t sure why.

Ongoing digestive issues may not necessarily be linked to your stomach. When the liver is in distress, bloating, excessive gas or acid reflux can occur as knock-on effects.

It’s estimated that up to 80% of patients with liver issues experience gastrointestinal problems.

A performance review for your liver

Given the liver’s vital role in many bodily functions, checking in on it with a regular performance review wouldn’t be a terrible idea…

The emergence of rapid at-home testing means you can easily find out how your liver’s doing in a matter of minutes. Prevention is always better than cure, even when it comes to a regenerative organ like the liver. Thankfully, many liver conditions are reversible if caught early.

With a small urine sample, a rapid home liver health test kit can detect levels of compounds produced by the liver when it’s not working effectively. It’s never been easier to get an accurate picture of how well your liver’s performing.

By keeping on top of your liver health, you can support its vital functions and avoid a silent progression of problems. Think of it like an MOT for your car — don’t wait until the engine breaks down, regular check-ups offer the best protection.