10/06/2025
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE LIVER?
1) The liver's main function is in the body's metabolic processes. These include:
Breaking down or converting substances
Extracting energy
Making toxins less harmful to the body & removing them from the bloodstream
2) The liver does this by receiving nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs through a vein known as the portal vein. Many liver cells, known as hepatocytes, receive & filter this blood.
3) They act as a small distribution center that determines:
Which nutrients need to be processed
What needs to be stored
What needs to be eliminated in the stool
What needs to be returned to the blood
4) Hepatocytes are responsible for making many proteins in the body that are needed for many functions, including blood clotting factors, & albumin, which are needed to maintain fluid in the circulatory system.
5) The liver is also responsible for producing cholesterol and triglycerides. Carbohydrates are also produced in the liver & the organ is responsible for converting glucose into glycogen which can be stored in the liver & muscle cells.
6) The liver stores vitamins & minerals such as copper & iron, releasing them when the body needs them. The liver also helps break down fats in a person’s diet. It either stores the fat or releases it as energy.
7) The liver also breaks down alcohol in the blood as well as the medications you take😎 The liver also plays a major role in the following: Creating immune system factors that can fight infections Creating proteins responsible for blood clotting Breaking down old & damaged red blood cells Storing extra blood sugar as glycogen When you consider these factors, it is easy to see how important the liver is to a person's health. How does the liver heal & function again The liver is an amazing organ because it has the ability to regenerate. This means that after injury or surgery to remove tissue, liver tissue can grow back to a certain extent. The liver begins to grow back by expanding existing cells. Then, new liver cells begin to multiply. What are the diseases caused by liver disorders There are many types of diseases that can cause disorders of the liver & its function. Some have successful treatments while others do not. Examples of common conditions that interfere with the liver include: Autoimmune hepatitis
Biliary atresia
Cirrhosis
Hemochromatosis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease & NASH
Isn't it important to take care of your heart?? Let's eat from now on.
