I developed a liver disease - that was not alcohol-related. Though most people with liver disease as a result of too much alcohol. Yes, ethanol. I had a genetic-based rare autoimmune liver disease (yeah, it really sucked) that finally ended after 11 years with a liver transplant. But before I entered that whole world of "transplant waitlist," I had an office visit with my treasured and very smart internist. I asked him what foods or any supplements should I avoid? He had one answer: "No ETOH." Medical for ethanol.

I read up about the effect of ethanol on the liver to learn more, being curious but not wanting to ever break that one rule. The liver performs about 500+ functions in the body. It's very busy and runs your entire digestive system, plus it's also connected to your heart, kidneys, and your brain. Ethanol is extremely difficult for the liver to "digest," assimilate and pass out through its detoxification system, the main function of the amazing liver.

You're right about everything you wrote about ethanol, alcohol, wine, whiskey, tequila - all breaks down to one thing, ethanol or ETOH. Yes, something added to gasoline.

I am floored - truly - by the number of transplant recipients who talk about the booze they consume. They were given, someone donated a still living organ to them after dying, or half of a liver from a live donor. I want to scream to the drinkers - SNAP OUT OF IT! (The way Cher screamed at Nicolas Cage in "Moonstruck.")