ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE

The liver is one of the largest and most complex organs in the body. It stores vital energy and nutrients, manu factures proteins and enzymes necessary for good health, protects the body from disease, and breaks down (or metabolizes) and helps remove harmful toxins, like alcohol, from the body. Because the liver is the chief organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol, it is especially vulnerable to alcohol-related injury. Even as few as three drinks at one time may have toxic effects on the liver when com bined with certain over-the-counter medications, such as those containing acetaminophen. This issue of Alcohol Alert examines the diagnosis and treatment of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), a serious and potentially fatal consequence of drinking alcohol