Liver Facts: Unlocking the Secrets of Our Body’s Powerhouse

The liver is a multi-tasking organ that plays a vital role in maintaining our overall health. Located below the gallbladder, next to the pancreas and intestines, and above the right kidney, the liver is triangular in shape and weighs approximately 1.5 kilograms. Here are some fascinating facts about the liver:

Liver Functions

– Performs over 500 vital functions simultaneously
– Fights infection and inflammation
– Manufactures proteins and hormones
– Helps with blood clotting
– Regulates blood sugar and ammonia levels
– Produces bile to aid digestion and detoxification

Regeneration and Resilience

– Can regenerate itself fully with only 25% of its tissue remaining
– Enables healthy individuals to donate a part of their liver
– Donor’s liver can regrow to its original size in about two weeks

Pregnancy and Liver Function

– Liver size and weight increase during pregnancy to meet changing metabolic demands and hormonal factors

Digestion and Detoxification

– Works with the pancreas to secrete hormones and digestive juices
– Filters blood to remove nutrients and toxins
– Detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs

Blood Flow and Bile Production

– Can hold up to 10% of the body’s blood
– Pumps out approximately 1.5 liters of blood per minute
– Produces 700-1000 ml of bile daily

Storage and Synthesis

– Stores vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as iron
– Produces ferritin to store iron
– Converts fats into energy sources
– Regulates cholesterol levels

Inflammation and Infection

– Produces acute phase proteins to combat sudden inflammation or infection

Regulation of Blood Volume and Clotting

– Produces albumin to regulate blood volume and fluid distribution
– Produces coagulation factors for blood clotting

Liver Health and Disease

– Obesity is a leading cause of liver disease in the US
– Early stages of liver disease can cause inflammation and enlargement
– Initial symptoms of liver failure include nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and diarrhea

Taking Care of Your Liver

– Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, fats, and sugary substances
– Limit junk food and avoid using medicines without a doctor’s prescription

References:

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/500783/12-bilious-facts-about-liver
https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/important-facts-about-liver-1520244999-1
https://liverfoundation.org/5-facts-about-liver-disease/
https://www.fattyliverfoundation.org/basic_liver_facts
https://www.flushinghospital.org/newsletter/fascinating-facts-about-our-liver/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279393/