All You Need to Know About the Liver

The liver performs numerous functions that are essential for your body to survive. It’s also one of the only organs in the body capable of regenerating itself. However, 25% of the world’s adult population is estimated to have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Despite the prevalence of NAFLD, one study found that an overwhelming number of its subjects were unaware of NAFLD and that their healthcare providers had never even discussed the topic with them. Considering that NAFLD is a preventable condition, as one of the highest risk factors is obesity, it’s time we talk about the liver more. Knowing and understanding your liver health can help you and your healthcare provider find the proper treatment and lifestyle changes you need to make, so you can live with a healthy liver

The human liver is the largest internal organ in the body, weighing about 1.5 kg. You’ll find it located just below the diaphragm in the upper right part of the abdomen. The liver is a multitasking organ, as it processes food into energy, stores nutrients and releases them when they are needed, removes toxins from the blood, and more. The liver, simply put, serves several vital functions that your body needs to stay alive.

The liver is a large essential organ found in all vertebrates that’s responsible for hundreds of necessary functions, such as filtering the blood from toxins, digesting proteins, and mineral storage. The liver also acts as a gland, producing proteins and hormones needed by other parts of the body.

These are the most important functions your liver carries out as it:

• Eliminates toxins from the blood.
• Metabolises proteins, carbohydrates, and fats for your body to use.

· Stores glycogen—which your body uses as an energy source—and vitamins for later use.
· Produces bile so you can digest food better.
· Produces substances that help blood clot.
· Processes bilirubin, a substance found in bile that appears when red blood cells are broken down.
· Controls immune responses, as there are special cells in the liver that can destroy bacteria, viruses, or other harmful organisms when enter your body.
· Helps maintain your blood sugar levels, by supplying glucose to your blood when your body needs it and removes it from the blood when there is too much.