The liver, the big, meaty organ on the right side of your belly that you never think about, is more essential than you think—it’s your body’s filtration system. All blood leaving the intestines and stomach goes through there, and it excretes bile, which helps carry away waste. Show it some respect. Could you keep it clean? There may be ways you’re unknowingly ruining your liver, be it by what you’re drinking, what you’re sniffing, or where you’re going.
Drinking alcohol seems fun to you, but it puts your liver to work, as it has to process it through your body. If the liver cells become overworked, it can damage—sometimes scarring called fibrosis, and occasionally severe damage called cirrhosis. “Drink alcohol in moderation,” says the Mayo Clinic.
Since the liver is a detoxifying station, it doesn’t just filter out what you drink; it filters the chemicals you smell. “Take care with aerosol sprays. Make sure to use these products in a well-ventilated area, and wear a mask when spraying insecticides, fungicides, paint, and other toxic chemicals.
