Liver

Anatomy of the liver:

The liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines. Shaped like a cone, the liver is a dark reddish-brown organ that weighs about 3 pounds. Liver is the biggest and the most complex organ in the body with more than 500 functions. The liver is an "incredible chemical factory," producing many important chemical compounds needed to survive, such as bile, albumin, blood clotting factors, cholesterol, Vitamin E

There are two distinct sources that supply blood to the liver, including the following:

• oxygenated blood flows in from the hepatic artery
• nutrient-rich blood flows in from the hepatic portal vein

The liver holds about one pint (13 percent) of the body's blood supply at any given moment. The liver consists of two main lobes, both of which are made up of thousands of lobules. These lobules are connected to small ducts that connect with larger ducts to ultimately form the hepatic duct. The hepatic duct transports the bile produced by the liver cells to the gallbladder and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).

Did you know? The liver can lose three-quarters of its cells before it stops functioning. In addition, the liver is the only organ in the body that can regenerate itself.

Functions of the liver:

The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile, which helps carry away waste products from the liver. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. The liver processes this blood and breaks down the nutrients and drugs into forms that are easier to use for the rest of the body. More than 500 vital functions have been identified with the liver. Some of the more well-known functions include the following:

• production of bile, which helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine during digestion

• production of certain proteins for blood plasma

• production of cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body
  
  
• conversion of excess glucose into glycogen for storage (glycogen can later be converted back to glucose for energy)

• regulation of blood levels of amino acids, which form the building blocks of proteins

• processing of hemoglobin for use of its iron content (the liver stores iron)

• conversion of poisonous ammonia to urea (urea is an end product of protein metabolism and is excreted in the urine)

• clearing the blood of drugs and other poisonous substances

• regulating blood clotting

• resisting infections by producing immune factors and removing bacteria from the bloodstream

When the liver has broken down harmful substances, its by-products are excreted into the bile or blood. Bile by-products enter the intestine and ultimately leave the body in the form of feces. Blood by-products are filtered out by the kidneys, and leave the body in the form of urine.

In a nutshell, liver's functions:

1. Stores the iron reserves that the body needs as well as a lot of vitamins and other minerals
2. Produces bile for food digestion
3. Detoxifies poisonous chemicals that includes alcohol, wine and drugs (prescribed and OTC) as well as illegal substances
4. Stores energy by stockpiling sugar (carbohydrates, glucose and fat) until the body needs it
5. Makes the blood in the system before a child is born
6. Manufacture new proteins that the body needs to stay healthy and grow
7. Remove poisonous toxins from the air, exhaust smoke and chemicals that we breathe
8. Makes clotting factors that stop bleeding
9. Defend the body against germs going into our body all the time by knocking them dead or at least weaken them

Precaution for taking care of the liver:

1. Don't drown in alcohol. Even one drink is too much for some people and could scar the liver for life
2. What ch the drugs you take. All drugs are chemicals and when mixed without doctor's advise could create something poisonous that could damage the liver badly. In short, stay off drugs as best as you can. Liver scars easily and those scars, called "cirrhosis" are permanent
3. Be careful with aerosol sprays! The liver has to detoxify what you breathe in too. In short, be careful of what you breathe in
4. Watch what get on your skin! Those insecticides that you put on trees and shrubs not only kill bugs they can get to the liver through your skin and destroy its cells. Remember they are all chemicals. Cover your skin with gloves, long sleeves , a hat and mask every time insecticides are in the air or when you are handling them
5. 5. Do not eat too much fatty food. The liver will make the cholesterol the body needs and it'll try to make the right amount. Give your liver a break. Eat a well balanced diet.

The liver has no pain nerves and it will not tell you that it's in trouble until it's almost at the end of its rope..and yours.

Remember: The liver is a non-complainer. Overloading it with drugs, alholhol and other junk serves to destroy it. This might be the only warning you will ever get