LIVER

​​

The liver is the largest internal organ in the body, located in the upper right part of the abdomen, just beneath the diaphragm.

 

The liver is involved in various metabolic processes that regulate energy balance in the body:

​

• Carbohydrate metabolism: The liver helps maintain blood glucose levels by storing glucose as glycogen (a process called glycogenesis) and releasing glucose into the bloodstream when needed (through glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis).

• Fat metabolism: The liver produces bile, which helps emulsify fats, allowing them to be digested and absorbed in the intestines. It also synthesizes lipoproteins and cholesterol, which are crucial for lipid transport and cell membrane function.

• Protein synthesis: The liver produces most of the proteins needed for the body, including albumin (important for maintaining blood pressure and fluid balance), clotting factors, and enzymes.

​

The liver acts as a storage reservoir for several important substances:

​

• Glycogen: The liver stores glucose in the form of glycogen and can break it down into glucose when the body needs energy.

• Vitamins and minerals: The liver stores fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and minerals like iron and copper, releasing them when the body needs them.

• Fats: The liver can store and metabolize fats, which are used as a secondary energy source.

​

The liver is a key organ in detoxifying harmful substances in the body:

​

• Metabolism of toxins: The liver filters out toxins, such as alcohol, drugs, and waste products like ammonia, converting them into less harmful substances that can be excreted by the kidneys or intestines.

• Bile production: The liver produces bile, which not only helps digest fats but also carries waste products (like bilirubin from old red blood cells) to the intestines for excretion.

 

These cells act as part of the body's first line of defense against infections. The liver is a major filter in the body, cleansing the blood of toxins, dead cells, and pathogens. The hepatic portal vein brings nutrient-rich blood from the intestines, while the hepatic artery delivers oxygen-rich blood. Both types of blood flow into the liver sinusoids, which are specialized blood vessels that allow the exchange of nutrients and waste products with liver cells (hepatocytes). Kupffer cells, a type of macrophage found in the liver, engulf and break down foreign particles and old red blood cells, helping maintain a healthy blood environment.

​

The liver is one of the most amazing organ in our body. What makes it so amazing is liver regeneration. Liver regeneration is the process by which the liver can replace damaged or lost tissue, allowing it to regrow to its original size after injury or partial removal.

​

Hence, the liver is able to repair itself, as long as we do not sabotage it by continuously putting poisons and toxins onto & into our body!

​​​