Gallstones can range from the size of a tiny grain of sand to larger than a pea-sized mass. Seventy five percent of gallstones are cholesterol stones, with the remaining 25 percent being pigment stones. Pigment stones are composed of calcium salts. Although the cause of pigment stones is unknown, factors such as intestinal surgery, cirrhosis of the liver, and blood disorders can increase the rate risk.

The liver is the second largest organ in the body, and is located in the lower part of the rib-cage. It has many functions, such as aiding digestion, producing bile, regulating blood sugar, storing excess sugar, clearing the blood of bacteria, other organisms and ingested toxins. It also produces many proteins, stores many vitamins, and has the unique ability to repair and re-grow after it is damaged. Chinese medicine sees a healthy liver as the most critical organ in the bodies ability to fight disease and help it to function properly.

The FDA has yet to approve herbal remedies as legitimate cures for diseases. However, the scientific community accepts that some herbal supplements can be helpful in treating conditions such as loss of libido, liver cirrhosis and chemotherapy side effects. Consequently, patients need to access the suitability of the supplement for their particular situation.

Hepatitis C is considered an epidemic and is now killing more people than Aids/HIV...30,000 a year and it's going to get much worse. The number of adults seeking liver transplants for hepatitis C infection will skyrocket in the next 20 years. An estimated 10,000 to 30,000 Americans die from this disease each year. Deaths are estimated to increase because of the increasing risk of infection, and the resulting cirrhosis, portal hypertension, thrombocytopenia, bleeding from varices, and liver cancer. Five years ago, 20% of hepatitis C patients were candidates for liver transplantation and today the number has increased to about 50%.

If there is any damage to the liver, then there could be serious complications, such as constipation, chronic gastritis, morning sickness, etc. Problems with the liver could be jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver), all of which are life-threatening conditions. Hence it is very important to take proper care of the liver.

Hepatitis is one of the health disorder resulted from infection. Infectious nature is one of the characteristics of hepatitis C. The main cause behind occurrence of hepatitis C is considered to be hepatotropic virus. Usually, liver infection, caused by hepatotropic virus is asymptomatic in onset phase of hepatitis C. However, prolonged inflammatory condition may produce serious heath complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Bile is necessary for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) and helps to assimilate calcium. Milk thistle nutritionally supports the liver's ability to maintain normal function. It has shown positive effects in treating nearly every known form of liver disease, including cirrhosis, hepatitis, necroses, and liver damage due to drug and alcohol abuse. Milk thistle works due to its ability to inhibit the factors responsible for liver damage, coupled with the fact that it stimulates production of new liver cells to replace old damaged ones.

Alcohol related disorders, which include alcoholic hepatitis & cirrhosis, outnumber all other types of liver disorders by atleast five to one. Apart from alcohol & virus induced liver disease, the liver may be affected by congenital defects, circulatory disturbance, metabolic disorders, poisoning and auto-immune processes. Liver failure may occur as a result of acute hepatitis, poisoning or cirrhosis.