4 Min Read
The liver gets less attention than other important organs. In spite of this, it remains one of the body's most powerful and effective organs, enhancing overall health. Despite the liver's numerous vital roles, it is susceptible to certain illnesses. Alarmingly, liver disease kills over two million people each year, accounting for around 4% of total mortality worldwide.
In this blog post, we'll delve into the 99 do not eliminate. The gallbladder stores bile and releases it as needed, especially after a fatty meal. Without bile, your body would struggle to digest fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
Synopsis
Metabolism Function of the Liver
The liver is a major metabolic organ responsible for digesting carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, transforming these nutrients into usable energy forms.
-
Carbohydrate metabolism: The liver plays a central role in maintaining blood glucose levels, ensuring a steady supply of energy to cells. It converts excess glucose into glycogen for storage and breaks it back down when energy is needed, preventing conditions like hypoglycemia.
-
Protein metabolism: The liver promotes protein synthesis and amino acid metabolism. It produces essential proteins such as albumin and clotting factors.
-
Lipid metabolism: The liver is responsible for the production and breakdown of lipids, especially while fasting or exercising. Also, it helps in the synthesis of cholesterol, the conversion of excess dietary fats into triglycerides for storage or conversion into lipoproteins, and the transport of fat into body tissues.
Detoxification Function of the Liver
The liver performs an important function in detoxifying toxic substances, pollutants, and waste materials. The organ detoxifies the blood by breaking down and neutralising harmful substances like drugs, alcohol, and environmental toxins. This detoxification process includes complicated chemical processes that change harmful compounds into those that may be safely removed from the body. It also helps the body eliminate waste products such as cholesterol, bilirubin, and poisons.
-
Detoxification of drugs: One of the most important roles of the liver is to metabolise drugs, alcohol, and other chemicals into forms that are easier to eliminate from the body
-
Ammonia detoxification: Ammonia, a byproduct of protein metabolism, is highly toxic to the body. The liver neutralises ammonia by converting it to urea, which is excreted from the body through urine
-
Bilirubin metabolism: Bilirubin is a waste product produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. It is processed in the liver into a form that is easier to eliminate through urine.
Signs of Poor Liver Health
Signs of liver disease can include:
-
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
-
Abdominal pain and swelling
-
Chronic fatigue
If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical treatment.
Liver Health Test
Liver function tests (LFT) are commonly ordered liver health tests among clinicians to help assess a patient’s liver function. It is a blood test to measure enzymes, proteins, and substances associated with the liver’s performance. The components of LFT, such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), help portray what is occurring in the liver. If you receive an elevated liver function test report, it could indicate inflammation or damage to liver cells, which are related to conditions like hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.
Liver Health Tips: How to Take Care of Your Liver
Maintaining optimal liver health is crucial to aid the organ in performing its function effectively. Some of the liver health tips to follow are:
-
Ensure moderate consumption of alcohol
-
Consume a balanced diet
-
Exercise regularly
-
Avoid exposure to toxins
-
Protect your liver from viral infections
-
Adhere to prescribed medications
-
Get vaccinated for hepatitis A & B
-
Limit saturated fats and processed foods
Conclusion
The liver plays an important and necessary function in digestion, metabolism, and detoxification. Its ability to process nutrients, break down harmful substances, and regulate key bodily functions makes it essential to our overall health. However, the rising prevalence of liver-related diseases underscores the importance of proactive care. Prioritising your liver health today is an investment in a healthier, more energetic tomorrow–consult our specialists at Manipal Hospitals, Mukundapur, today for comprehensive liver health tests.
FAQ's
The liver's primary activities are to assimilate nutrients from meals, detoxify toxic compounds, produce bile for digestion, and store energy in the form of glycogen.
The liver stores vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, as well as minerals such as iron and copper, which are required for a variety of metabolic and physiological activities throughout the body.
The LFTs are performed for the following reasons:
Routine health checks
Symptom evaluation
Monitoring existing health conditions
Pre-surgical assessment
Monitoring of drug-induced side effects
Detoxification is essential because the liver removes poisons such as medications, alcohol, and metabolic waste products from the circulation. Hepatocytes convert hazardous molecules into less toxic ones that may be expelled. This mechanism avoids cellular damage and ensures that toxins are properly eliminated from the body.
You can schedule an appointment at Manipal Hospitals, Mukundapur, by contacting us or visiting our website.
Share this article on:
.webp "Gallbladder Cancer: Risks, Symptoms, and Treatments")
