The liver is involved in many vital processes that affect the whole body. Some of the main liver functions and processes are:
The liver is the main organ of metabolism, which is the process of converting food into energy and building blocks for the body. The liver metabolizes carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from the food we eat and converts them into glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids, respectively. The liver also regulates the blood glucose level by storing excess glucose as glycogen or releasing glucose when needed. The liver also synthesizes cholesterol, which is an important component of cell membranes and hormones, and lipoproteins, which are molecules that transport fats in the blood.
The liver is also the main organ of detoxification, which is the process of removing harmful substances from the body. The liver detoxifies drugs, alcohol, pesticides, pollutants, and other toxins by transforming them into less toxic or water-soluble compounds that can be excreted by the kidneys or the bile. The liver also breaks down hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, and recycles or eliminates them from the body.
The liver filters and cleanses the blood that comes from the digestive organs and the lower body. The liver receives about 1.5 liters of blood per minute, which is about 25% of the cardiac output. The liver filters out bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other foreign substances from the blood and destroys them by the Kupffer cells. The liver also removes old or damaged red blood cells and recycles their components, such as iron and hemoglobin. The liver also produces clotting factors, such as fibrinogen and prothrombin, which are essential for blood clotting and wound healing.
The liver produces about 800 to 1000 ml of bile per day, which is a yellow-green fluid that contains bile salts, cholesterol, bilirubin, and other substances. Bile is stored and concentrated in the gallbladder, which releases bile into the duodenum when we eat fatty foods. Bile helps digest fats by emulsifying them into small droplets that can be absorbed by the intestinal cells. Bile also helps eliminate waste products from the liver, such as bilirubin, which is a pigment that results from the breakdown of hemoglobin. Bilirubin gives bile its color and also colors the urine and the stool. Bile also helps neutralize the acidic chyme (partially digested food) that comes from the stomach and creates a favorable environment for the intestinal enzymes and bacteria.
