Although it does not always get a lot of attention, the liver has many essential functions for the body. The liver might become damaged based on the types of foods you eat each day over long periods of time.

The liver is the second largest organ in your body. It processes the food and drinks you consume into essential nutrients, and also filters out harmful or toxic substances from your blood. Tropical fruits such as bananas, pineapples, guava, mangos and lemons grow in warmer climates.

Patients who suffer from depression and other mood disorders are often prescribed medications from the drug class known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Lexapro is an SSRI that is commonly prescribed for depression and other mental health disorders.

Liver cirrhosis can be the result of certain viral infections (such as the hepatitis viruses) or due to the ingestion of toxins (including large amounts of alcohol). When the liver becomes heavily damaged, it can stop making certain proteins, including the blood protein albumin.

The liver is an organ that synthesizes protein, detoxifies the bloodstream and produces the chemicals needed for digestion. Unfortunately, the liver is susceptible to the development of certain chronic conditions, including the deposition of fat stores -- which may lead to a diagnosis of fatty liver disease.

When you think about hepatitis, the first thing that comes to mind is probably your liver. But infection with the hepatitis C virus can lead to stool symptoms as well. Diarrhea can occur in the early or late stages of hepatitis C infection, or it may be a side effect of medications used to treat the virus.

End stage liver disease occurs when the liver has sustained severe damage, usually over the course of many years, and is in the process of failing completely.

Consuming cod liver oil or other fish oils is a good way to get essential omega-3 fatty acids. Unlike other types of fish oil supplements, however, cod liver oil is available in liquid form as well as pill form. Knowing the differences between the two may help you decide which makes the better fit for your needs.

Chronic liver damage can result in the replacement of normal liver tissue with non-functioning scar tissue. Advanced liver damage is called cirrhosis, and glucose intolerance is a common feature of this condition.

Iron deficiency is considered the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, according to the World Health Organization. Iron is an essential mineral found in all cells of the body and integral to a variety of processes.

The liver plays an important role in fat metabolism and when it cannot perform this function as efficiently, fat stores, primarily in the form of triglycerides, build up in the liver. While it typically does not cause any damage, it can lead to inflammation and scarring.

If you have a serious health problem such as cancer, consuming a nutrient-rich, healthy diet is especially important. In liver cancer, the disease can cause weight loss, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, appetite loss, making diet extra-important. It can also cause yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.