Introduction
In the body, the liver is the largest gland and organ. This organ is located just below the diaphragm in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. It weighs approximately 1.5 kg. The liver function is over 500, which shows how important the liver is to us. We will examine the liver’s function in today’s article.
The 10 most important functions of the liver
1. Metabolic:
A liver’s function is to detoxify different metabolites, synthesize bile, synthesize protein, and make digestion-related biochemicals.
- Carbohydrate Metabolism
- Fat Metabolism
- Protein Metabolism
2. Storage of vitamins, glycogen, and minerals :
Liver serves as a storage site for some substances such as vitamin A, vitamin D, B12, iron, folic acid, glycogen, and amino acids (proteins). A healthy liver stores vitamins and minerals for times when the body may need them. The body is capable of storing enough vitamin D and B12 for four years, as well as enough vitamin D for four months.
3. Synthesis function :
The liver also performs the function of synthesis, such as the process in which glucose is formed. The liver synthesizes proteins, which include plasma proteins, clotting factors, and hormone-binding proteins. It synthesizes all nutrition.
4. Secretion :
There are many functions of the liver, including secreting bile, metabolizing proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and storing glycogen, vitamins, and minerals. The liver’s secretion plays a very important role in digestion and absorption.
5. Excretion :
In addition to regulating most chemical levels in the blood, the liver excretes a substance called bile. The liver removes all these substances, like bacteria, toxins, viruses, bile pigments, cholesterol, and metals like arsenic and bismuth, through bile.
6. Heat Production and temperature regulation
When temperature changes, the liver exhibits significant physiological and metabolic changes as a result.
7. Hemopoietic
- In the fetus, blood cells are produced by the liver.
- B12 and folic acid for erythropoiesis
- Produces Hemoglobin and red blood cells
- Promotes platelet production
- Liver produces thrombopoietin which promotes the production of thrombocytes.
- Fight infection (white blood cells)
8. Hemolytic Functions
The hemolytic function is very important for our body. A liver reticuloendothelial cells destroy senile RBCs after 120 days.
9. Inactivation of drugs and hormones
- When EG function is increased, the liver can remove hormones intensively, inactivate them and excrete them in bile, thereby maintaining normal hormone levels in the blood.
- Drugs are metabolized by the liver to produce water-soluble compounds that are excreted in the bile and urine.
10. Defence function
- Improve Immunity
- Kills Bacteria
- Removes Toxins
As you may have guessed, the liver serves an important purpose. That’s why you should completely avoid liver-damaging foods and drinks..
Liver Diseases List
- Fascioliasis: Raw watercress or other plants contaminated with immature parasitic larvae often cause people to become infected.
- Cirrhosis / Sirosis: In most cases, cirrhosis results from liver damage caused by conditions such as hepatitis B or C, or chronic alcohol consumption.
- Hepatitis:
- A person infected with hepatitis A usually ingests contaminated feces by ingesting contaminated feces.
- A person who is infected with Hepatitis B spreads the disease through blood, semen, or other body fluids.
- When the blood of an infected person comes into contact with yours, you get Hepatitis C.
- Only those who are infected with hepatitis B are susceptible to hepatitis D.
- People can contract hepatitis D by unknowingly inserting a virus and spreading it through blood transfusion, but this is rare.
- Fatty liver: When the liver is overburdened with fat, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease occurs.
- Liver Cancer: The risk of liver cancer increases when you smoke, drink alcohol, have cirrhosis, or have a long-term infection with hepatitis B or C virus.
FAQ
- What is the most important liver function?
Filtering the blood coming from the digestive tract before it is passed on to the rest of the body is the liver’s most important function.
- Which foods should be included in our diet for a healthy liver?
- Garlic
- Carrot
- Grapefruit
- Beet juice
- Berries
- Coffee
- Apple
- Spices – coriander, turmeric, ginger
- Green Tea
- Walnuts
- Lemon