The liver is responsible for processing every substance that enters our bodies, ensuring the quality of our blood and to remove any toxins that may be present. Being aware of potentially toxic substances and how to eliminate them from your bloodstream is vitally important to someone with a compromised liver due to hepatitis, cirrhosis, or any other liver disease. The most commonly known toxins are alcohol, cigarettes and smoke, but there are many other commonly encountered substances lurking that can be equally harmful to the body.

Artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame, found in Equal, NutraSweet and Splenda, appeared on the market as an alternative to sugar, prompting many people to think that substituting a few packets would be healthier than using sugar in their morning coffee. What you might not realize is that these products are chemically manufactured and are capable of producing highly toxic reactions in the body, causing a number of diseases with hazardous consequences. So, before you grab that little pink packet or crack open that can of soda, think twice about what you're putting into your body, and the havoc it can wreak.

You may be equally shocked to learn about another toxic substance called acrylamide, found primarily in French fries and potato chips. This chemical can do severe damage to your body, resulting in various health problems, including cancer. Acrylamide isn't found in raw potatoes, however once the potato is fried at an extreme heat the chemical begins to materialize. Deep-fried foods and potato chips aren't just hazardous to your health because of their high fat content, they're also quite damaging to your liver.

You may be exposed to many other toxins on a daily basis and not even realize it. With an already stressed liver, it's important to know the dangerous products on the market, masquerading as being completely safe, but that can pose a serious threat to the health of this highly essential organ. Even if you don't have a liver disease, you should still use caution to prevent possible future damage by these surprisingly toxic items. You'll be glad you did.

It unrealistic to believe we can eliminate the presence of these toxins from our lives altogether, so do whatever you can to reduce the amount you come across each day. To learn more about 5 toxic substances you may not have been previously aware of, but that can cause severe harm to your liver visit http://www.liversupport.com/wordpress/2006/09/five-surprisingly-toxic-items-to-your-liver/.

This article was prepared for LiverSupport.com. Visit us to learn more about liver health, natural liver remedies and the benefits of milk thistle.