The overlooked hero: How your liver could be the key to longevity, according to biohacking expert

At the cutting edge of health optimisation, attention turns to the organ performing 500 vital functions yet receiving minimal recognition

'The silent killer' takes centre stage at European biohacking summit

The liver – an organ roughly the size of a Chihuahua – emerged as the unexpected star at this year's HOLOLIFE Summit in Tallinn, Estonia, where health optimisation experts gathered to discuss the latest advances in longevity science.

In a compelling presentation titled "The Biohacker's Guide to a High-Performing Liver," Siggi Clavien, founder and CEO of The Liver Clinic and de-liver-ance, revealed why this overlooked organ may be the most critical factor in our quest for extended healthspan.

"The liver is the master organ and the general that commands all your other troops and organs, central in regulating vital functions across the body," Clavien told the audience at the three-day summit, which ran from 13-15 June 2025.

A ticking time bomb of disease

While most major diseases have shown downward trends over the past five decades, liver disease has bucked the pattern with alarming results. According to Clavien, liver disease rates have increased by 400% since the 1970s and are accelerating at an unprecedented pace.

"Liver disease is the silent killer because it has no nerves, so you don't feel it until it's too late," he warned, noting that the condition is projected to become the number one killer of preventable disease globally by 2030-2035.

Perhaps most startling was the revelation that alcohol – long considered the primary culprit in liver damage – accounts for only a minority of cases. "Seventy percent of liver disease on this planet is not because of alcohol, but primarily caused by processed foods and toxins," Clavien explained.

The epidemic hiding in plain sight

The statistics presented painted a sobering picture. Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) – previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – now affects 38% of people in Western countries. Among adults aged 40-65, this figure rises to a staggering 63%.

In corporate workplace screenings, the numbers were even more alarming. "At JP Morgan, 70% of traders had fatty liver disease," Clavien said, highlighting how the condition has silently infiltrated even seemingly healthy populations.

The global scale of the problem is equally concerning, with 1.5 billion people currently affected by fatty liver disease – a number projected to increase by 350 million in the next seven years.

Beyond the liver itself

Clavien's presentation emphasised that liver health extends far beyond the organ itself, potentially affecting nearly every system in the body.

"We hypothesize – and we will prove – that more people will die of cardiovascular disease because of fatty liver than will die of liver cancer," he said, referencing ongoing research with University of California, Irvine and Mayo Clinic.

The liver's influence extends to cognitive function as well. "A key early symptom is brain fog," Clavien noted, explaining how fatty liver disease impairs neurological function, potentially contributing to conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

Detection challenges and breakthroughs

One of the most significant obstacles to addressing the liver crisis has been diagnostic limitations. Traditional blood tests – the standard method globally – often fail to detect problems until significant damage has occurred.

"Eighty to ninety percent of fatty liver disease cases do NOT show up on a blood test," Clavien revealed.

The presentation highlighted more advanced technologies, particularly the Fibroscan – a device that uses sound waves and vibration to assess liver health with remarkable precision. Originally developed to test cheese ripeness, this technology has become the gold standard for non-invasive liver assessment.

Rays of hope

Despite the alarming statistics, Clavien's message was ultimately one of optimism. "Fatty liver disease is reversible, and through healthy lifestyle and advanced phytomedicine, we can save the hero and reclaim our health," he said.

The entrepreneur showcased de-liver-ance, a plant-based phytomedicine developed over 18 years of research and clinical trials. According to Clavien, the formula optimises liver function, enhances mental clarity, supports immune function, and aids toxin elimination.

Perhaps most exciting was the revelation about potential new frontiers in treatment. "We now believe that cirrhosis may be reversible," Clavien said, describing collaborative work with stem cell experts exploring technologies to potentially reverse even advanced liver damage – something previously thought impossible.

The path forward

For summit attendees seeking practical advice, Clavien emphasised the importance of movement, exercise, and avoiding processed foods.

"Keep the liver soft, squishy, and moving," he advised, explaining that the organ can expand by up to 40% after a large meal before returning to its normal size.

As the HOLOLIFE Summit concluded its first day, Clavien's presentation left attendees with a renewed appreciation for what he called "the hero organ" and a clear message that optimising liver health may be the overlooked key to achieving the longevity goals that brought them to Tallinn in the first place.

"The liver is the most important organ for longevity, the most important organ for your immune system, and the most important organ for detoxification," Clavien concluded. "It's time we gave it the attention it deserves."

Frequently asked questions

Why does the liver get so little attention?

Because it has no nerves, so you do not feel it until it is too late, which is why Siggi Clavien calls liver disease the silent killer. The organ performs around 500 vital functions, yet he says it receives minimal recognition in health optimisation.

How common is fatty liver disease?

Clavien said metabolic associated fatty liver disease now affects 38% of people in Western countries, rising to 63% among adults aged 40 to 65. In corporate workplace screenings the numbers were higher still: at JP Morgan, he said, 70% of traders had fatty liver disease.

Why does liver health matter beyond the liver?

Clavien's hypothesis, which he said his team intends to prove, is that more people will die of cardiovascular disease because of fatty liver than will die of liver cancer. He referenced ongoing research with University of California, Irvine and Mayo Clinic.

About the event

This recap is part of the HOLOLIFE Summit 2025 Europe series, recorded in Tallinn on 14 and 15 June 2025. Read the summary of the whole event or join the next edition, HOLOLIFE Summit 2026 Amsterdam, on 14 and 15 November 2026.