Other than the skin, the liver is the largest of the human organs. Most individuals never think much about their liver or its functions. That is, not until something goes wrong. Your liver performs countless vital tasks, and these range from the breaking down of fats and the production of blood cells to the storage of vitamins and the metabolizing of carbohydrates. Good liver health is imperative.
The liver is a regenerative organ, but if it’s too badly damaged it cannot heal itself. It is vitally important to ensure that your liver is in top operating condition throughout your life. Although there are prescription and non-prescription formulas for healing liver damage, the best medicine is preventative maintenance.
Liver Structure
The liver is located on the right-central area of the torso, mostly behind the rib cage and adjacent to the stomach. It consists of two main lobes that are connected by a special ligament that also attaches the organ to the diaphragm. The portal vein delivers nutrient-rich blood as the vein breaks up into a maze of capillaries. The capillaries carry the blood to a mass of tiny globules known as lobules. These are the functional tissues of the liver.
Liver Functions
The liver produces bile, an essential fluid. Bile is carried to the small intestine and breaks down fat, cholesterol, and vitamins. Without bile, digestion would be impossible. If the liver health is poor, bile production is limited.
Blood hemoglobin is broken down to produce bilirubin. Iron in the blood is released at this time, and it’s stored in the liver for the creation of replacement blood cells. Your bone marrow is where most of the red blood cells are created. Without storage of iron in the liver, the marrow would be unable to produce new red cells.
You take in carbohydrates in order to produce simple sugars. Glucose, for example, is necessary for cellular respiration and the creation of new cellular tissue. The liver stores carbohydrates and breaks them down into glucose. The liver also stores Vitamin A, E, D, K, and B12 – all necessary for tissue production and regeneration.
The liver filters the blood and removes compounds from the body including excess hormones. It also filters out compounds taken in by the body such as alcohol and certain drugs.
Keeping the Liver Healthy
The most common liver diseases are cirrhosis, fascioliasis, and hepatitis. The absorption of toxins and alcohol can result in fibrosis, in which scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. Fascioliasis is caused by a parasite, specifically the liver fluke. Hepatitis is a general infection of the liver and results in inflammation of the entire organ.
Many types of liver disease can be treated, but in some cases, the liver ceases to function normally, putting the individual at great risk. It is of great importance to have simple blood tests performed during a health checkup, as these tests will nearly always show if any sort of liver problem is developing.
Reach Out to us for More Information
We can answer your questions about liver health and can recommend various treatments and preventative measures to ensure good liver health. To learn more about liver function and the best way to keep this vital organ healthy, get in touch with Naples Vitality for a free seminar! At our location in Naples, FL, our caring team of professionals are eager to answer your questions. Contact us today!