Clinical Nutrition

Lesson 17: Diseases of the liver

Introduction

The liver is a vital organ, which, through its network of biochemical reactions controls the internal environment of the body. The liver is located in the upper right hand side of the abdomen, mostly behind the rib cage and is the largest gland of the body and rightly known as the body’s chemical workshop. When the liver is diseased and does not function normally, various metabolic difficulties and clinical symptoms are observed. It is important to have a clear understanding of the normal metabolic functions of the liver before suggesting nutritional modifications in liver disease.