Cirrhosis of the liver is characterized by extensive scarring that occurs as the liver tries to repair itself in response to damage. This condition has many causes, most notably chronic alcoholism. Why can excessive consumption of alcohol (a toxin) lead to cirrhosis?
The liver is the first to receive the nutrients absorbed from the GI tract. In addition, the liver defends the body by detoxifying substances that might cause harm and preparing wastes for excretion. This is why, when people ingest poisons that succeed in passing the first barrier (the intestinal cells), the liver quite often suffers the damage-from viruses such as hepatitis, from drugs such as barbiturates or alcohol, from toxins such as pesticide residues, and from contaminants such as mercury.
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