One of the hardest working organs, the liver is constantly detoxifying blood while producing bile, which is necessary to break down hormones, help digest fat, and help the body store essential vitamins and minerals. Liver dysfunction is often associated with cirrhosis, which is scarring caused by heavy alcohol use. But an impaired liver can be caused by many factors, including other preventable lifestyle choices. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease, which affects 30 percent of the population in the United States. This is due to the rise in diabetes rates, coinciding with the obesity epidemic. Because of NAFLD, health care costs will rise and liver transplants will be more commonplace. Regular cleanses and supplements are often recommended to clean out toxins from the liver and prevent long-term liver problems, but a healthy diet is the most essential way to avoid problems.
