Looking after your liver

9 in 10 cases of adult liver disease could be prevented.

Your liver is the biggest organ inside your body. It has hundreds of essential jobs. It works hard and it has an amazing ability to repair itself. But it is like an elastic band – it can only stretch so far before it breaks.

On this page, you can learn more about how to look after your liver to help prevent liver disease.

The information on this page is for:

Adults who want to keep their liver healthy
Family, friends, carers, and healthcare professionals.

This page can help you start looking after your liver to keep it healthy. If you might already have a liver condition, it’s important to talk to your GP.

Do not wait for symptoms to start. Many people have no symptoms in the early stages of liver disease. But getting help early means you’re more likely to be able to treat or even reverse the condition.

Alcohol

A quarter of us drink at levels that could put our health at risk.

Many of us drink a bit more than we should. Drinking more than the recommended amount of alcohol can damage your liver. This can lead to alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) and liver cancer.

How to reduce liver damage from alcohol

Men and women should drink no more than 14 units per week.
Give your liver a regular break and have 3 alcohol-free days each week – try to have them all in a row.

For help with units and starting to reduce alcohol, get our factsheet:

Thinking about cutting down on alcohol ?

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Diet and exercise

Many of us are overweight and don’t do enough exercise

Up to 1 in 5 people in the UK could now have a liver condition called MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease).

MASLD happens when fat builds up in the liver and stops it working properly. People who are overweight, obese, or have low levels of activity are most at risk. As well as people with other metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

Keeping to a healthy weight is a good way to reduce your risk of developing liver disease. For most people, losing weight slowly is the best approach. Eating a healthier diet and being more active can help you lose weight and keep it off.

You don’t have to change your life overnight. Start by trying out small changes. Find something that works for you and that you can stick to. Then build on that.

To find out more about how to get started and reduce your risk download our factsheets:

Thinking about eating more healthily?

Thinking about being more active?

Viral hepatitis

There are several viruses that cause hepatitis. The most common types are hepatitis A, B, and C. Most people recover from hepatitis A without lasting liver damage. However, hepatitis B and C can lead to long-term liver disease and even liver cancer if not treated.

Protect yourself

Never share razors, nail scissors or toothbrushes
Cover wounds, especially when you play sport
Only use licensed tattoo and piercing studios. Make sure all equipment used has been sterilised
Use a condom during sex
Never share drug equipment, and don’t use rolled-up bank notes
If you need medical treatment abroad make sure only sterile equipment is used
If you think you have been exposed to viral hepatitis, ask your GP or sexual health clinic for a blood test

Learn more about viral hepatitis

Are you at risk of liver disease?

Liver health at-risk checker

Discovering if you are at risk at an early stage means that you can be effectively treated and change your lifestyle before serious problems occur. It also means that you can ask your GP for further tests if needed.

Finding out your risk of liver disease only takes a few minutes and it could be the most important thing you do today.

Take our free online at-risk checker

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