Concept in Definition ABC

The liver is one of the noblest organs in the body, it is the only one capable of self-regeneration and fulfills an important function in the body; it is one of the vital organs, since its absence is incompatible with life. The liver is located in the upper part of the abdomen, on the side right, just under the diaphragm and behind the lower part of the ribs, this location provides important protection against trauma, it weighs approximately 1.5 kilos.

Liver Functions

This organ is involved in a wide variety of functions in the body, especially those related to the metabolism and excretion of most of the nutrients and chemical substances that we ingest, its location makes it act as a filter since all blood from the digestive system first passes through the liver and then goes to the heart from where it is pumped to the rest of the Body.

Currently it is considered that the liver is involved in at least 500 vital functions, however we can group them into a series of basic functions such as:

• Nutrient metabolism.

The liver contributes to the transformation of the nutrients that give rise to cholesterol, triglycerides, sugars and protein. The metabolism of fats is a fundamental step so that the cell membranes and the different hormones are subsequently formed.

• Storage from Energy.

The excess glucose is transformed at the level of the liver into Glycogen, which is a source of energy.

• Normal blood function.

The liver is the main store of iron necessary to produce hemoglobin, and is also involved in the production of clotting factors, essential to prevent bleeding.

• Defense system.

The liver is involved in the production of chemicals that are part of the defense system necessary to eradicate microorganisms Like batteries, it is also lined by cells known as Kupffer cells. capable of engulfing and inactivating microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and parasites from the intestine.

• Waste disposal. One of the main functions of the liver is that it intervenes in the processes of elimination of chemicals and toxins, this occurs in two ways: a part of these substances is processed and eliminated by the bile to the intestine, where it is excreted with the feces, another part is inactivated and passes into the blood from where it is filtered by the kidneys and eliminated by the urine.

How to take care of the liver

The liver is the target of toxins, drugs, infectious agents, and excesses in the feeding. To take care of it it is necessary to be more careful with what we eat and avoid self-medicating. A diet rich in refined fats and sugars is one of the main enemies of the liver, giving rise to the disease known as Fatty liver, excessive alcohol and some infections can cause another form of damage known as Hepatic cirrhosis.

Many drugs are capable of affecting the liver, a phenomenon known as Hepatotoxicity, which is why during treatment Patients should undergo regular laboratory tests in order to identify this alteration early and suspend the medicine.

In addition to these measures, there are foods and natural products that are of great help to avoid or reduce these damages, such is the case of silymarin or milk thistle, green tea, nuts rich in Omega 3, artichokes and turmeric. In the presence of hepatitis or symptomatic fatty liver, it is usually beneficial to eat small meals several times a day, ensuring that at least two or three of them are based on raw products such as fruits or fresh salads, avoiding dairy products, sauces, dressings and foods greasy.

In summary: Keys and importance of the liver in the human body

The liver is undoubtedly one of the most important and voluminous organs or viscera that the human anatomy has and some vertebrate animals or lower species as a consequence of the metabolic activity that it displays. For example, it deals with, among other issues, the synthesis of plasma proteins, detoxification, storing glycogen and vitamins, secreting bile, removing harmful substances from the blood, among other.

The liver is in charge of produce bile, a fundamental substance to facilitate the digestion of the food that is eaten. Meanwhile, bile is a fluid substance, green in color and bitter in taste. It intervenes as we said in digestion as an emulsion on fatty acids, that is, transforms into small drops so that they can be reached more easily by the juices digestives. Its secretion is continuous while in the inter-digestive moments it is stored in the gallbladder and after food intake it is released into the duodenum. When we eat food, it leaves the gallbladder into the small intestine and combines with the fats in food.

Other important functions are: protein synthesis, metabolism of carbohydrates Y lipids and the elimination of insulin.

Physically it is characterized by its irregular shape and its dark red color. It is located in the right anterior area of ​​the abdomen and is covered by a fibrous capsule. Its weight is around one kilo and a half and is divided into four lobes: right, left, square, and caudate or Spiegel lobe. It is especially related to the structures that are located on the left in the abdomen.

There are many diseases that can affect the liver, among the most common are: hepatitis A, B and C, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and some congenital, such as Gilbert's syndrome, among others. The best way to maintain a healthy liver is to eat healthy, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and water, and avoid the excess in the consumption of alcoholic beverages that can develop some of the diseases mentioned above.

Topics in Liver