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Understanding Your Liver

Learn about liver anatomy, function, and how metabolic liver disease develops and progresses.

Liver Anatomy & Function

The liver is your body's largest internal organ, weighing about 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs). It sits beneath your right rib cage and performs over 500 vital functions essential for survival and health.

The liver is composed of specialized cells called hepatocytes, which work together to filter blood, produce proteins, store nutrients, and eliminate toxins.

Liver anatomy illustration

Key Liver Functions

Detoxification

Filters blood to remove toxins, drugs, and waste products, making them safe for elimination.

Metabolism

Processes nutrients from food and regulates blood sugar, cholesterol, and fat levels.

Protein Production

Produces essential proteins including albumin and blood clotting factors.

Nutrient Storage

Stores vitamins, minerals, and glucose for use when your body needs energy.

Immune Support

Contains immune cells that fight infections and protect your body.

Bile Production

Produces bile to help digest fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

How Metabolic Liver Disease Develops

In metabolic liver disease, fat accumulates in liver cells. While the liver naturally contains some fat, MASLD occurs when fat comprises more than 5% of the liver's weight.

Stage 1: Simple Steatosis (Fatty Liver)

Fat builds up in liver cells. Usually causes no symptoms and may not progress. Many people have simple steatosis without knowing it.

Stage 2: MASH (Steatohepatitis)

The liver becomes inflamed and damaged. Fat accumulation combined with inflammation causes liver injury. This stage requires more active management.

Stage 3: Fibrosis & Cirrhosis

Repeated inflammation causes scarring. If scarring becomes extensive (cirrhosis), liver function is severely compromised, leading to serious complications.

Risk Factors for MASLD

MASLD develops when metabolic dysfunction occurs. Key risk factors include:

  • •Obesity or overweight, especially with central (abdominal) fat
  • •Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
  • •Insulin resistance
  • •High blood pressure
  • •High cholesterol or triglycerides
  • •Metabolic syndrome
  • •Genetic predisposition

Symptoms

Many people with MASLD have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

Fatigue or tiredness

General feeling of unwellness

Pain or discomfort in upper right abdomen

Abdominal swelling

When to See a Doctor

If you have risk factors for MASLD (obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure), ask your doctor about screening. If you experience persistent fatigue, abdominal pain, or other concerning symptoms, schedule an appointment for evaluation.

Ready to take action? Explore how you can improve your liver health.