Liv
Foundation

The liver is the body’s largest organ and occupies a central role in maintaining overall health.

It is a multitasking powerhouse, overseeing more than 500 crucial functions to ensure that clean, oxygen-rich blood is supplied to the heart, brain, and other vital organs.

One remarkable feature of the liver is its ability to regenerate and grow a new through the replacement of damaged cells.

Welcome You To Liv Foundation

At the Liv Foundation, our mission is to promote liver health & prevent liver damage through education, awareness, and access to valuable resources. We believe that knowledge is the first step towards a all healthy liver, & we are committed to providing you with the information and support you need to maintain optimal health &longevity.

Understanding the Liver

The liver is one of the most vital organs in your body, responsible for a wide range of functions that are essential for your overall well-being. It processes nutrients, detoxifies harmful substances, stores energy, and produces important proteins, among many other functions. To ensure your liver remains healthy, it's crucial to understand what can damage it and how to prevent such damage.

Common Causes of Liver Damage

Medications & Toxins

Certain medications and exposure to toxins can harm the liver. It's crucial to use medications as prescribed and avoid exposure to harmful substances.

Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis, including hepatitis B and C, can cause chronic liver inflammation and, if left untreated, lead to severe liver damage. Vaccination and safe practices can prevent hepatitis transmission.

Alcohol Consumption

Excessive and long-term alcohol consumption can lead to liver diseases such as alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Moderation is key when it comes to alcohol consumption.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Often associated with obesity and unhealthy diets, NAFLD is becoming increasingly common. Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight & diet, are essential for prevention

Preventive Resources For Liver Health

At the Liv.today Foundation, we provide a wealth of resources to help you safeguard your liver health:

Healthy Lifestyle

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is the foundation of liver health. This includes maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.

Vaccination

Hepatitis A and B vaccines are highly effective in preventing these viral infections. Consult with your healthcare provider to ensure you are up-to-date with your vaccinations.

Screening and Early Detection

Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider can help detect liver issues early. Conditions like viral hepatitis and fatty liver disease can often be managed more effectively when identified in their early stages.

Education and Awareness

Knowledge is power. Educate yourself and your community about liver health and the risks associated with liver damage. Spread awareness about the importance of prevention.

Support Groups

If you or a loved one is dealing with liver disease, joining a support group can provide valuable emotional support and information about managing the condition.

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Our Resources and Support

At the Liv.today Foundation, we provide a wealth of resources to help you safeguard your liver health:

We are committed to making liver health a priority for everyone. By taking proactive steps to protect your liver and sharing knowledge with others, you can help prevent liver damage and lead a healthier life. Remember, your liver is a precious organ, and taking care of it is a lifelong commitment. Together, we can make liver health a reality for all. Thank you for visiting the www.Liv.today Foundation website, and we encourage you to explore our resources and get involved in our mission.

Articles and Information

Explore our library of articles and educational materials covering a wide range of liver related topics

Interactive Tools

Use our interactive tools to assess your liver health, understand your risk factors, and make informed decisions.

Community

Connect with others who share your concerns and experiences through our online community forums

Events & Workshop

Stay informed about upcoming events, workshops, and webinars related to liver health.

Donations

Consider supporting our mission through donations to fund research, education, and awareness initiatives.

Introducing the Quick Liver & Gallbladder Test

Your Key to Monitoring Liver Health with Ease. Your health is your greatest asset, and at times, taking a proactive approach can make all the difference. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Liver and Gallbladder Test, a simple and effective way to keep tabs on the health of two vital organs: your liver and gallbladder. This innovative test leverages a urinalysis reagent strip, making it incredibly user-friendly and convenient, allowing you to monitor key markers like Urobilinogen for Liver Health, Bilirubin for Liver and Gallbladder Health, Ketones for Ketogenic Diet enthusiasts, and pH levels for acidity and alkalinity balance.

Why is this test so important? Your liver and gallbladder play critical roles in your overall well-being, and any issues in these organs can have far-reaching consequences. Whether you’re concerned about the impact of your diet, want to keep your liver in top shape, or simply maintain a keen eye on your health, the Liver and Gallbladder Test is your ultimate ally.

Fast and Convenient

Say goodbye to long waits and expensive lab visits. With our user-friendly test, you can check your liver health in the comfort of your own home in just 30 seconds.

Easy to Use

Our simple, one-step process ensures hassle-free testing. Just pee on the stick, wait for the indicated time, and get your results instantly.

Monitor Your Health

Regularly track your liver health to make informed decisions about your lifestyle and well-being. Our Liver Test helps you stay proactive in maintaining a healthy liver.Don't wait until it's too late to care for your liver.

Join us as we explore this easy, at-home test that empowers you to detect liver issues with confidence and convenience. Your health journey begins here.

Here Are The Top Functions of Liver

The liver plays a vital role in maintaining our overall health and well-being. To help prevent liver disease, it’s essential to understand and appreciate some of the liver’s most crucial functions:

Metabolism

The liver is responsible for metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It regulates blood sugar levels and helps to store and release energy as needed

Detoxification

One of the liver's primary functions is to detoxify the body. It filters and neutralizes toxins, drugs, and alcohol, ensuring they do not harm the body.

Synthesis of Proteins

The liver produces various proteins, including clotting factors, albumin, and enzymes that are necessary for blood coagulation and maintaining essential bodily functions.

Bile Production

The liver generates bile, a fluid that aids in the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. It also plays a role in the elimination of waste products from the body.

Storage

The liver stores important vitamins, minerals, and glucose to release when the body needs them. This helps regulate blood sugar levels and provides a backup source of energy.

Immune Function

Kupffer cells in the liver are essential for immune defense. They help remove harmful bacteria and toxins from the bloodstream, acting as a barrier against infection.

Regulation of Cholesterol

The liver plays a central role in regulating cholesterol levels in the body, both by producing and removing cholesterol as needed.

Recycling Red Blood Cells

Old or damaged red blood cells are broken down in the liver, with their components recycled for the production of new blood cells

Hormone Regulation

The liver metabolizes and regulates various hormones, helping to maintain hormonal balance in the body.

To prevent liver disease, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, limited alcohol consumption, & avoidance of high-risk behaviors such as sharing needles or having unprotected sex. Additionally, vaccinations against hepatitis viruses.

Best Foods to Promote Liver Health

Your liver plays a vital role in maintaining your overall health, and one way to ensure its well-being is by incorporating liver-friendly foods into your diet. Here are some top choices:

Incorporating these foods into your diet can help your liver function optimally and keep your body in balance. Remember, a well-nourished liver is a key component of overall well-being.

Turmeric

This vibrant spice is a liver champion. It contains curcumin, which boosts the liver's detoxification pathways and enhances liver cell function

Nuts

Packed with essential nutrients and healthy fats, nuts, particularly walnuts,provide a protein-rich snack option.Opt for organic, minimally processed nuts to maximize their liver-loving potential

Garlic

Renowned for its potent health benefits, garlic is a natural liver cleanser. It helps activate enzymes in your liver that assist in flushing out toxins from your body.

Green Vegetables

Load up your plate with a variety of green vegetables like spinach, kale, lettuce, collard greens, cabbage, bok choy, and broccoli. They're rich in antioxidants and fiber, which promote liver health by aiding in the removal of toxins.

4 stages of liver damage

Initial Fat Accumulation

In this stage, the liver experiences an accumulation of excess fat, known as Simple Fatty Liver.

Inflammation & Fat Accumulation

In this stage, the liver experiences an accumulation of excess fat, known as Simple Fatty Liver.

Persistent Inflammation & Tissue Scarring

In this stage, the liver experiences an accumulation of excess fat, known as Simple Fatty Liver.

Advanced Scarring &Tissue Damage

In the final stage, the liver undergoes extensive scarring and damage, known as Cirrhosis, where scarring becomes widespread and can impair liver function.

Why Sugar is the #1 Culprit

Your liver is a remarkable organ, it processes everything you eat, drink, and absorb, helping your body convert nutrients into energy and filter out toxins. However, the modern diet has brought about an alarming increase in liver damage, with excess sugar consumption emerging as the leading cause. Let’s dive into why sugar is the #1 culprit in causing liver damage.

The Liver and Its Functions

Before we discuss sugar’s impact, it’s essential to understand the liver’s functions. The liver is responsible for:

Metabolizing Nutrients

It processes carbohydrates, fats, & proteins, converting them into forms that the body can use for energy or store for future use.

Detoxification

The liver filters out toxins and harmful substances from the blood, safeguarding your body from harm

Storage

It stores essential nutrients like glycogen and releases them when needed for energy.

Synthesizing Proteins

The liver produces crucial proteins that are essential for blood clotting, immune system function, and more

Sugar's Impact on the Liver

Excess sugar consumption, especially in the form of added sugars and high-fructose corn syrup, can significantly harm the liver. Here’s why:

Fatty Liver Disease

Limit Added Sugars

Opt for whole fruits over fruit juices and whole grains over refined grains, as they contain natural sugars and fiber, which are healthier for your liver.

Choose Whole Foods

Opt for whole fruits over fruit juices and whole grains over refined grains, as they contain natural sugars and fiber, which are healthier for your liver.

Read Labels

Check food labels for hidden sugars, as they can be found in various forms, such as sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, and others

Maintain a Balanced Diet

Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to support liver health..

Cirrhosis and Scarring

Limit Added Sugars

Opt for whole fruits over fruit juices and whole grains over refined grains, as they contain natural sugars and fiber, which are healthier for your liver.

Choose Whole Foods

Opt for whole fruits over fruit juices and whole grains over refined grains, as they contain natural sugars and fiber, which are healthier for your liver.

Read Labels

Check food labels for hidden sugars, as they can be found in various forms, such as sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, and others

Maintain a Balanced Diet

Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to support liver health..

Increased Inflammation

Limit Added Sugars

Opt for whole fruits over fruit juices and whole grains over refined grains, as they contain natural sugars and fiber, which are healthier for your liver.

Choose Whole Foods

Opt for whole fruits over fruit juices and whole grains over refined grains, as they contain natural sugars and fiber, which are healthier for your liver.

Read Labels

Check food labels for hidden sugars, as they can be found in various forms, such as sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, and others

Maintain a Balanced Diet

Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to support liver health..

Insulin Resistance

Limit Added Sugars

Be mindful of the sugar content in processed foods and beverages. Reduce your consumption of sugary drinks, candies, and sweets.

Limit Added Sugars

Be mindful of the sugar content in processed foods and beverages. Reduce your consumption of sugary drinks, candies, and sweets.

What happens in the body and how the body works

The journey of food through the body involves several complex processes that ensure the body receives the nutrients it needs for energy, growth, and overall function. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how the body processes food, from the moment it enters the mouth to the role of organs like the liver, pancreas, and intestines:

Mouth

The digestive process begins in the mouth, where food is broken down mechanically by chewing and mixed with saliva. Saliva contains enzymes (such as amylase) that start breaking down carbohydrates into simpler sugars

Esophagus

After chewing and swallowing, food travels down the esophagus through a process called peristalsis, which involves rhythmic muscle contractions.

Stomach

In the stomach, food mixes with gastric juices, which contain hydrochloric acid & digestive enzymes, such as pepsin. The acidic environment in the stomach helps break down proteins, while mechanical churning further mixes and breaks down food.

Small Intestine:

The partially digested food, now called chyme, moves into the small intestine. The pancreas releases digestive enzymes into the small intestine. These enzymes further break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats

The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine. Bile emulsifies fats, making it easier for enzymes to break them down.

The small intestine is also where the majority of nutrient absorption occurs. Villi and microvilli, tiny finger-like projections, increase the surface area for absorption.

Nutrients, such as sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids, are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to cells for energy and various bodily functions.

Large Intestine

Undigested food and waste products pass into the large intestine, where water and some minerals are absorbed.

Beneficial bacteria in the colon help break down certain substances and produce some vitamins (e.g., vitamin K and some B vitamins).

The remaining waste material is formed into feces and eventually excreted from the body through the rectum and anus.

The liver and pancreas working in harmony in order for the body to get clean blood and nutrition.

Liver

It processes nutrients absorbed from the small intestine, regulating their levels in the blood.
The liver also detoxifies harmful substances and metabolizes drugs.
It plays a significant role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and stores glycogen and certain vitamins.It plays a significant role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and stores glycogen and certain vitamins.

Pancreas

The pancreas is both an endocrine and exocrine gland, meaning it produces hormones (such as insulin) and digestive enzymes.
In the context of digestion, the pancreas secretes enzymes (pancreatic amylase, lipase, and proteases) into the small intestine to further break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

The entire process is highly coordinated and regulated by hormones and neural signals to ensure the body receives the necessary nutrients and disposes of waste products efficiently. Proper digestion and nutrient absorption are vital for overall health and well-being.

Why cancers in the liver, as well as pancreas are often detected at such an advanced stage?

Lack of Early Symptoms

Both liver and pancreatic cancers typically do not cause noticeable symptoms in their early stages. This means that the tumors can grow without causing pain or discomfort, and patients may not seek medical attention until more advanced symptoms appear.

Vague and Non-Specific Symptoms

When symptoms do eventually appear, they can be vague and non-specific. For example, common symptoms of both liver and pancreatic cancers include fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss, and digestive problems. These symptoms can be associated with a wide range of other medical conditions, making it difficult to immediately attribute them to cancer.

Anatomical Location

The liver and pancreas are deep-seated organs located in the abdominal cavity. This anatomical location makes it challenging to detect tumors through physical examination or routine imaging, especially in the early stages when the tumors are small.

Rapid Progression

Both liver and pancreatic cancers have a tendency to grow and spread quickly. This means that there is a relatively short window of time for early detection before the cancer advances to a more serious stage.

Lack of Effective Screening Tests

Unlike some other cancers, such as breast or colon cancer, there are no highly effective routine screening tests for liver and pancreatic cancer. Mammograms and colonoscopies, for example, can help detect breast and colon cancer at earlier stages. However, for liver and pancreatic cancer, screening methods are limited, and those that do exist, such as ultrasound or CT scans, are not highly sensitive for early detection.

Risk Factors and Screening Guidelines

Liver and pancreatic cancers are often associated with specific risk factors, such as chronic liver disease for liver cancer or family history for pancreatic cancer. However, routine screening for individuals with these risk factors is not as widespread as it is for some other cancers, which can lead to delayed detection.

Patient Awareness

Lack of public awareness about the risk factors and symptoms of liver and pancreatic cancers can also contribute to late detection. Patients may not recognize the signs and may not seek medical attention until the cancer has progressed.

Aggressive Tumor BehavioR

Both liver and pancreatic cancers are known for their aggressive behavior. By the time they become symptomatic and are diagnosed, they may have already invaded nearby structures or spread to other parts of the body.

Liver Disease by the numbers:

The global and national statistics for liver disease can vary depending on the specific type of liver disease and the time period being considered. It’s important to note that liver disease encompasses a wide range of conditions, including viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Additionally, data can change over time due to various factors, including advances in healthcare and changes in risk factors. Here are some general statistics as of my last knowledge update in September 2022:

Worldwide Liver Disease Statistics:

World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that viral hepatitis (specifically hepatitis B and C) was responsible for approximately 1.34 million deaths globally each year. This is a major contributor to liver-related mortality
Cirrhosis of the liver, often caused by factors such as excessive alcohol consumption and chronic viral hepatitis, can lead to liver failure and was estimated to be responsible for around 1.32 million deaths globally per year