World Liver Day: Facts To Amaze You!

1. World Liver Day was introduced by the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) in 2010. Every year,  April 19 commemorates the EASL’s founding in 1966. 
2. The liver is the body’s largest internal organ and performs over 500 functions. These include filtering and extracting toxins from blood, helping digestion, and improving metabolism. 
3. Up to 70% of the liver can regrow or regenerate even after being damaged, which can also cause problems. 
4. About 3.5% of deaths worldwide occur due to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. 
5. India stands at number 10, facing deaths due to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, where the former is currently the 11th largest cause and later the 16th major cause of death worldwide. 
6. Approximately 200 million people consume alcohol worldwide. Out of which, approx. 10 crore people are on the radar of developing alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD). Additionally, diabetic overweight people are at risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), constituting 9 % to 32 % of the Indian population. 
7. Research reveals that NAFLD can also lead to cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. 
8. A drug-induced liver injury leads to acute hepatitis. The numbers can go higher up to 35% annually by 2030. 

Understanding Liver & Its Essential Functions

The liver is strategically located beneath the diaphragm and is the most intricate internal organ. Your liver is your body’s primary metabolic and detoxification center. Its essential functions include: 

1. Metabolism of nutrients. The liver acts as a metabolism of nutrients, which means it converts glucose to glycogen for storage and returns it to glucose when required. It also breaks down amino acids and produces urea and bile to support fat digestion
2. Detoxification. The liver eliminates alcohol, drugs, and toxins from the blood. 
3. Storage of vitamins and minerals. The liver can store vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12 and minerals such as iron and copper. 
4. Blood clotting regulation. The liver produces proteins, majorly albumin, for blood clotting with the help of vitamin K.  
5. Immune system support. The liver contains Kupffer cells that help destroy bacteria and worn-out cells to combat infections. 
6. Cholesterol regulation. The liver also plays a crucial role in producing and removing cholesterol and lipoprotein. 
7. Hormone breakdown. Nevertheless, the liver helps break down excess hormones, including insulin and estrogen. 

Chronic Liver Disease: A Mini-Overview of Key Culprits

Liver disease is a global health issue encompassing a wide spectrum of lifestyle choices and pre-existing comorbidities that have captured public interest. Approximately 1 million liver deaths occur due to cirrhosis complications, while another million occur from viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. 

In recent decades, environmental factors and consuming aflatoxin-contaminated foodstuffs, among other things, have become potential risk factors for liver disease. 

1. Alcohol Consumption. Consuming alcohol more than the liver can process leads to an alcohol-related liver disease, which damages the organ. 

Alcohol consumption is on the rise in India; the highest in the age group of 40-64 by 5.63% since 1990. The second highest heavy drinkers are between 15-39 years of age with a jump of 5.24%, and alcohol consumption above 65 years has increased by 2.88%. 

Additionally, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS- 5) for 2019-2021, only 1% of Indian women aged 15-49  consume alcohol, which is significantly lower than 22%  of men. 

2. Interplay between unhealthy diet and obesity. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and poor physical fitness can increase the risk of obesity ten-fold. 

A global study published in The Lancet journal revealed about 70 million adults were living with obesity in India in 2022. There were about 44 million males, which was almost twice the number of females, which was approx. 26 million respectively. Additionally, in children aged 19 and under, approx. 5.2 million girls and 7.3 million boys were obese. 

Furthermore, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD )  was higher in males than females, 39.4% and 35.4%, respectively. 

Studies suggest that NAFLD is now very common in India, overtaking viral hepatitis and alcohol-related issues. 

3. Medications and Toxin. The drug-induced liver injury occurs due to antitubercular drugs (ATDs), resulting in acute liver failure in some individuals. 

4. Genetic predisposition. Genetic liver diseases such as hemochromatosis and Wilson’s Disease significantly contribute to liver disease. 

5. Chronic Conditions. Research reveals that women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), metabolic syndrome, obesity, and prediabetes are at high risk of developing NAFLD. 

6. Malnutrition. Malnutrition plays a crucial role in causing alcoholic-related liver disease. It is often observed that people who drink heavily have difficulty absorbing nutrients. 

Additionally,  it is often observed malnutrition can affect approx 20% of patients with compensated cirrhosis and 50% of patients with decompensated cirrhosis. 

7. Demographic Influencers. Ethnicity is another risk factor for alcohol-related liver disease. Research reveals that the rate of incidence of cirrhosis was higher in men (30.5%) than in women which was (16.4%)

8. Having Viral Hepatitis, especially Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C, causes liver problems

Both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are blood-borne viral infections that contribute to liver cancer and cirrhosis. 

Hepatitis B alone affects over 30 million Indians whi, and Hepatitis C is often silent until it damages the liver. 

The 2025 estimates of Hepatitis C in India reveal 13 million cases, with a higher rate of incidence in people with HIV, IV drug users, unsafe blood transfusion history, and hemodialysis. 

Maintain Liver Health: 10 Proactive Measures to Avoid Toxins Daily

The liver is an inseparable part of your body. Instead of detox diets or drinks, following these measures can help keep your liver healthy and disease-free. 

1. Eat a healthy and balanced diet rich in lean protein, fruits, and whole grains. 
2. Exercise daily. 
3. Meditate to reduce stress. 
4. Quit smoking
5. Limit or avoid alcohol consumption. 
6. Take vaccinations on time. 
7. Maintain a healthy weight. 
8. No unprotected sex
9. Avoid sharing needles to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. 
10. Avoid exposure to toxins and harmful substances. 

Need for Regular Checkups: Ensure a Healthy Liver Today & Always!

Remember, your liver works tirelessly to filter toxins, improve digestion, store nutrients, and strengthen your immune system. It is a silent danger with symptoms that appear when damage is already done. 

On World Liver Day 2025, Redcliffe Labs strongly advocates the need for regular health checkups. Conditions like fatty liver, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer are rising due to poor diet, alcohol use, obesity, and medications. 

A simple checkup can add more years to your life tomorrow. Instead of waiting for symptoms, make liver health a priority. Book your liver function test today! 

Regular liver screenings can help detect early-stage fatty liver inflammation and prevent progression to liver cancer or failure.