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.

Worried about your liver?

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.

Try the liver disease at-risk checker

Learn more about your liver disease risks with our free liver disease at-risk checker.

One in five of us is at risk of liver disease. This could be the most important thing you do today.

Take the at-risk checker

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

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

Love Your Liver

Love Your Liver is our national campaign devoted to liver health awareness. Giving people the tools they need to keep their liver healthy.

We provide information and support, a free online at-risk checker, a national roadshow, and chances to join us. Together, we can raise awareness and help more people love their liver.

Find out more

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Support us to transform lives

Your donation helps us support people of all ages affected by any type of liver condition, provide trusted information and campaign for better prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Together, we can transform lives.

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