Most People’s Livers Are Just 3 Years Old

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A realistic anatomical model of healthy human liver with gallbladder isolated.

A realistic anatomical model of healthy human liver with gallbladder isolated.
Image: Shutterstock (Shutterstock)

Our liver stays plenty youthful even as we get older, new research this week suggests. Using a form of radioactive dating, the researchers estimate that the average age of our liver’s cells is around three years. Some cells seem to live longer than others, however, a finding that may one day help scientists better understand how and why conditions like liver cancer can happen.