The liver has a remarkable power of self-healing. But when we consume too much alcohol, this therapy reaches its limits. A liver that is severely damaged will never regain its original appearance.
In Greek mythology, Zeus punished Prometheus for giving fire to humans. He chained him and asked Garuda to feast on his liver. Each night the liver grew back, and each day the eagle returned to celebrate. In fact, can the liver really grow back?
Liver is the largest internal organ of the human body. It is essential for hundreds of bodily processes, including breaking down toxins such as alcohol. Since it is the first organ to “see” the alcohol that has been consumed, it is not surprising that it is the most sensitive to the effects of alcohol. However, other organs, including the brain and heart, can also be damaged by long-term excessive alcohol consumption.
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As a liver specialist, I deal with people with alcohol-related liver disease every day. The spectrum of these diseases ranges from the formation of fat in the liver (hepatic steatosis) to the formation of lesions (cirrhosis). These diseases usually cause no symptoms until the damage is very advanced.
Initially, alcohol makes the liver fatty. These fats cause inflammation in the liver. In response, it tries to heal itself by producing scar tissue. If this phenomenon continues unchecked, the entire liver can become a network of scars with small islands of “good” liver in between: this is cirrhosis.
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In the later stages of cirrhosis, when the liver fails, people may turn yellow (jaundice), become bloated with fluid, and feel lethargic and confused. This condition is serious and can be fatal.
Most people who regularly drink more than the recommended limit of 14 units of alcohol per week (about six pints of normal strength beer (4% alcohol) or about six medium glasses (175 ml) of wine (14% alcohol) have fatty liver. Heavy, Long-term alcohol consumption increases the risk of scarring and cirrhosis.
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(The Alcohol Information Service site explains that the indication in degrees (°) or percentage (%) for alcoholic drinks corresponds to the amount of pure alcohol contained in 100 ml of the drink. If a drink is 35° (or concentrated) 35%), this means That 100 ml of this drink contains 35 ml of pure alcohol. (The higher the degree or percentage, the more concentrated the drink is in pure alcohol.)
(Public Health France recommends benchmarks for alcohol consumption in France: consume no more than ten standard drinks per week; drink no more than two glasses per day; go days a week without consumption.)
Good news
Fortunately, there is good news. In people with fatty liver disease, after only two to three weeks of stopping alcohol consumption, the liver can heal and appear to function as if it were brand new.
In people with liver inflammation or mild damage, even seven days after stopping alcohol consumption, there was a significant reduction in liver fat, inflammation and scar tissue. Stopping alcohol consumption for several months can allow the liver to heal and return to normal.
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In heavy drinkers who have more severe liver damage or failure, stopping alcohol use for several years reduces the risk of liver failure and death. However, people who drink heavily can become physically dependent on alcohol, and sudden cessation can lead to alcohol withdrawal.
In its mildest form, alcohol withdrawal causes tremors and sweating. But if it is severe, it can cause hallucinations, seizures and death. Crash withdrawal is never recommended for heavy drinkers who should consult a doctor about how to safely stop drinking alcohol.
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Other benefits
Stopping alcohol consumption also has positive effects on sleep, brain function and blood pressure.
Long-term abstinence from alcohol also reduces the risk of many types of cancer (including liver, pancreatic and colon) and heart disease and stroke.
However, alcohol is not the only factor in ill health. Quitting alcohol has many health benefits, but it is not a panacea. It should be integrated into a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
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So, to answer the question posed by the myth of Prometheus, the liver has an amazing power to repair itself after damage. But if it is already severely damaged it cannot grow back in the same way.
If you stop drinking and just have fatty liver, it can go back to normal quickly. If you have a scarred liver (cirrhosis), stopping alcohol will improve some healing and function, but may not reverse all the damage already done.
If you want to take care of your liver, don’t drink alcohol. But if you must drink, drink in moderation and go two or three days each week without drinking alcohol. That way, you don’t have to rely on the liver’s magical self-healing power to stay healthy.
The original version of this article was published in conversation.
