The Liver – The Body’s Largest Metabolic and Detoxifying Organ

The liver is the largest organ responsible for metabolism and detoxification in the body. Its main function is to detoxify, helping the body eliminate waste and excess toxins, thereby maintaining physical health and physiological balance. In addition, the liver stores and regulates blood, secretes bile and proteins, and participates in intestinal motility and digestion.

The greatest difference between the liver and other organs is its remarkable ability to regenerate and repair itself. Even if half of the liver is surgically removed, it can return to its original state through its strong regenerative capacity.

However, advantages always come with disadvantages. The biggest drawback of the liver is that it has very few sensory nerves. This means many patients with liver disease may not experience any pain, even when suffering from serious liver conditions such as liver cancer. This delays early detection of liver cancer, causes missed opportunities for timely treatment, reduces treatment effectiveness, and leads to poor survival prognosis. By the time the disease is discovered, it is often in the middle or late stages and cannot be cured.

---

Harmful Habits for the Liver You Should Quit as Soon as Possible

According to Sohu, these habits are considered "poison to the liver," increasing the risk of liver cancer that you need to avoid:

1. Alcohol Addiction

Having the habit of drinking alcohol, especially long-term alcohol addiction, significantly increases the risk of liver damage and liver diseases, including alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis that progresses to cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Symptoms of alcoholic liver disease vary from person to person, depending on the extent of liver damage and the stage of the disease. In mild alcoholic hepatitis, there may be no specific symptoms. However, as damage becomes more extensive and severe, patients may experience: loss of appetite and taste; persistent fatigue and weakness; nausea and vomiting; swollen legs and abdominal bloating; prolonged low-grade fever; increased tendency to bruise or bleed; yellowing of the skin and eyes; and changes in mental status such as confusion or coma.

---

2. Staying Up Late Frequently

Staying up late has become a common lifestyle habit among young people. Occasional late nights may not affect the liver, but frequent late nights—especially between 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.—greatly increase the risk of liver disease.

In traditional medicine, 1:00–3:00 a.m. is considered the prime time for the liver’s natural detoxification. If the body is not at rest during this time, detoxification efficiency is reduced. Over time, waste and toxins accumulate more in the liver, adding to its burden and eventually leading to liver damage and disease.

---

3. High-Fat Diet

A diet high in fats, such as fatty meats, animal organs, fast food, and fried or grilled dishes containing trans fats and saturated fats, increases the risk of liver disease, especially if consumed frequently over a long period.

This is explained by the fact that cholesterol and fats in these foods increase the liver’s metabolic burden, raising the risk of fatty liver disease caused by excessive fat accumulation. Common symptoms of fatty liver include: dark yellow urine; pale stools; frequent itching and hives; fatigue; yellowing of the skin and eyes; nausea and vomiting; and loss of appetite. If not addressed, fatty liver can progress to cirrhosis, leading to complications such as swelling and abdominal distension.