The human liver: where is it located, what functions does it perform and why is the prevention of diseases of this organ so important? The main functions of the liver What does the liver do in the body

The liver, being the largest human gland (can reach up to 2 kg), performs a number of vital functions. In the digestive system, everyone knows that its main role is the production of bile, without which most of the food simply will not be broken down (absorbed), but this is far from its only purpose. What other functions of the liver exist and how do they affect the human body? To understand this issue, first, you need to decide on its structure, location in the body.

The liver in the human body: structure and location

It is located in the hypochondrium of the right cavity, slightly capturing the left side. This organ is a set of lobules, similar to microscopic prisms (up to 2 mm), with a very complex structure. A vein passes through the central part of each lobule with a certain number of crossbars, which consist of 2 rows of cells. These cells produce bile, which through the bile capillary forms large channels that combine into a bile stream. The distribution of the bile stream: the gallbladder (the lateral branch enters there), the duodenum (for example, bile is transported to the intestine, participating in the digestive act). So, having an idea about the structure, location of this organ, we can safely take up the study of its main functions, which can be divided into two main blocks: digestive and non-digestive.

Digestive functions

The secretion of bile is perhaps one of the most basic and well-known functions of the liver. Bile is a yellowish-green liquid that is produced by the liver, providing a change from gastric to intestinal digestion. Bile pigments are constantly generated by the liver due to the cellular breakdown of hemoglobin.
This liquid performs a number of mandatory processes of digestion:

emulsification of fats (in simple words, the process of mixing fat with water) with a subsequent increase in their area for joint hydrolysis by lipase (the assimilation of fatty acids, the fats themselves and fat-soluble vitamins);
dissolution of lipid hydrolysis products, facilitating their absorption and re-synthesis;
a significant increase in the activity of intestinal enzymes (including lipase);
increased hydrolysis and absorption of products of protein, carbohydrate nature;
participation in the absorption of cholesterol, amino acids, salts;
change in the acidity of gastric juice;
maintaining normal intestinal motility.

In the absence of the need to break down food that enters the stomach, bile accumulates in the gallbladder with an increased concentration. Therefore, doctors often operate with the concepts of bile
hepatic and bladder. The secretion of bile (its amount) in all people occurs in different ways. However, the general principle is this: the sight, the smell of food, its direct intake causes relaxation of the gallbladder, followed by contraction - a small dose of bile enters the duodenum. Then, after the gallbladder is empty, bile begins to flow from the bile ducts, only then from the liver. A healthy human body is able to produce 0.015 liters of bile per kilogram of weight per day.

Non-Digestive Functions

Detoxification function
The liver is a kind of barrier when harmful substances enter the body. The protective functions of the liver are especially useful to us when:
- inactivation of toxins (may enter with food, occur in the intestine when its microflora changes);
- neutralization of nitrogenous products (deamination), which are formed during the breakdown of proteins (indoles, phenols, ammonia);
- the fight against microbes (about 80% of the microbes that can enter the human blood will be concentrated in the liver).
It is necessary to monitor the level of glycogen in the blood, with a decrease in the content of which, barrier functions in the liver deteriorate significantly.
Regulatory function
The liver is able to regulate blood glucose levels. With an increased sugar content, the liver produces glycogen with subsequent deposition. Then, if there is not enough sugar, the stored glycogen is broken down into glucose, which again enters the bloodstream, normalizing the amount of sugar.
exchange function
The liver is actively involved in protein, carbohydrate, lipid, vitamin and water-salt metabolism.
The liver is capable of:
- synthesize blood proteins, cholesterol and lecithins;
- forms urea, glutamines and keratins;
- create the necessary conditions for normal blood clotting, dissolution of blood clots;
- synthesize vitamin A, acetone, ketone bodies;
- stock up on vitamins, throwing them into the blood as needed (A, D, K, C, nicotinic acid);
- retain Fe, Cl ions, bicarbonate salts (water-salt exchange).
Sometimes the liver is called a reserve warehouse, as well as a depot for the above reasons.
Immunological function (participation in human immune reactions, for example, in the inactivation of mediators that accumulate during allergic reactions).
Endocrine function, in which it is able to remove or ensure the exchange of a number of thyroid hormones, steroid types, insulin.
Excretory (ensuring homeostasis, that is, the ability to self-regulate the human body, with any changes in the state, even with the restoration of blood).
The hematopoietic function is manifested most of all in the process of a woman's pregnancy during the formation of the fetus (a large amount of blood plasma proteins is synthesized to produce hormones and vitamins). Also, this gland is able to accumulate large volumes of blood, which can be thrown into the general vascular system during blood loss or shock situations, due to a sharp narrowing of the vessels supplying the liver.

Therefore, without the liver, as well as without the heart, the human body cannot exist. The liver takes part in many life-supporting processes, helps in moments of stress and a sharp shortage of any useful substances. The processes of food digestion and metabolism are possible only with normal liver function (retention, processing, distribution, assimilation, destruction, formation of a number of substances).

Liver dysfunction

Naturally, such an important human organ must be healthy and function normally. At the same time, medical practice knows a huge number of cases of liver disease. They can be classified into the following groups:

Damage to liver cells due to inflammatory (purulent) processes.
Mechanical damage (changes in its shape, structure, ruptures, open or gunshot wounds).
Diseases of the blood-supplying hepatic vessels.
Damage to the internal bile ducts.
The occurrence of neoplastic (cancerous) diseases.
Infectious diseases.
Abnormal and pathological changes in the liver (this also includes hereditary diseases).
Changes in the functioning of the liver in the pathology of other organs.
Functional (structural) tissue disorders, often provoking this insufficiency, cirrhosis.
Diseases caused by autoimmune viruses.

It is worth noting that any disease listed above will be accompanied by insufficiency and lead to cirrhosis.

Therefore, do not “postpone” if you notice any signs of liver dysfunction!

The main signs of impaired liver function

1st sign. Unwanted irritability and behavioral changes. Studies by scientists and experts in this field have shown that 95% of angry and irritable people suffer from certain liver diseases. Moreover, most people find their justification in everyday stress at the household level, although these are two interrelated processes. On the one hand, impaired liver function causes irritability in general, and, on the other hand, excessive anger and aggression contribute to the development of liver diseases.
2nd sign. Overweight and cellulite. This will clearly indicate violations of metabolic functions (prolonged intoxication of the body).
3rd sign. Reduced blood pressure even in young people. That is, hypotensive patients are at risk, they are advised to pay special attention to their liver.
4th sign. The formation of vascular networks and varicose veins. Here, too, everything is not so simple, the previous sign is interconnected in this. If you start to actively raise the pressure and thereby get rid of varicose veins, you can provoke the rapid development of hypertension. However, if such vascular diseases as varicose veins, hemorrhoids are observed in patients with high blood pressure, then this is already a very advanced process with abnormal liver function, including.
5th sign: irregular skin pigmentation and the appearance of "age" spots. The deposition of subcutaneous toxins will indicate a lack of antioxidants and the inability of the liver to perform protective and metabolic functions.
6th sign: excessive frequency of colds. This, most often, indicates poor microflora and intestinal motility against the background of intoxication of the body (the liver can no longer eliminate all toxins). So, toxins, reaching the liver and not being neutralized there, enter the organs of the respiratory system, negatively affect the immune system.
7th sign: stool disorders (most patients experience constipation). Normal bile secretion contributes to the absence of difficulties with the stool.
8th symptom: pain concentrated on the right under the ribs. This symptom is not as popular as the others (observed on average in 5% of patients), however, pain in this area will indicate violations of bile secretion (problems of its outflow).
9th symptom: long-term exposure to xenobiotics (drugs of a synthetic nature) provokes liver dysfunctions not immediately, but over time, especially when taken regularly.
10th sign: improper and irregular nutrition (3 meals a day is not an indicator of a proper diet, for those who want to have a healthy liver, it is advisable to eat about 5 times a day in small portions). It is also necessary to monitor the regularity of the consumption of vegetable fiber. It will not only improve the intestinal microflora, but also contribute to the normal synthesis of vitamins.
11th sign: dry skin, especially if this process is accompanied by hair loss. This indicates improper digestibility of food and a violation of the barrier function of the liver.
12th sign: lack of exogenous cholesterol with its subsequent accumulation in the vascular walls (signs of atherosclerosis). At the same time, you need to understand that an excess of carbohydrates in the diet, which is often observed with vegetarianism, will provoke stagnation of bile and the accumulation of cholesterol. The result can be not only atherosclerosis, but also non-alcoholic steatohepatitis of the liver. Although the main cause of it, fatty foods and alcohol, as such, were not overused.
13th sign: deterioration of vision, especially at dusk. Normal vision can only be with a sufficient amount of vitamin A, for which the liver is responsible. Vegetable fiber can again come to the rescue, in addition to binding toxins, it will significantly reduce the consumption of this vitamin A and its provitamins.
14th sign: reddened palms. The size of the areas of redness and their saturation can tell about the intensity of irritation in the liver tissues.
15th sign: changes in the results of tests that monitor the condition of the liver. Often this will indicate profound changes in the normal functioning of the liver.

Few people know, however, the causes of increased bone fragility and the development of osteoporosis may not be due to reduced calcium intake, but due to its improper absorption. When digested, food must be processed with bile so that the small intestine can absorb fat and calcium. If fat is not digested, it will settle on the walls of the intestine. Then, along with other waste, it will enter the large intestine, split a little, but most of it will still be excreted along with feces (if feces remain on the water at the time of emptying, this may indicate insufficient secretion of bile, because fat is lighter water, which means that the waste is supersaturated with undigested fat). The connection is quite interesting because calcium is not absorbed without fat. The body will take the lack of this substance from the bones in order to make up for its deficiency.

If we talk about the appearance of stony formations in the liver or gallbladder, then a person’s stool will definitely be disturbed (feces can turn orange, yellow), premature aging and self-destruction of the body will begin, because the body will be unable to ensure its normal functioning. The main reason for the appearance of stones in the biliary system is a violation of the metabolic processes of bilirubin and cholesterol, which can occur during: inflammatory processes, dietary disorders (the predominance of fats in the diet, especially pork), hormonal imbalance, viral or other diseases.
Tip: if any sign is already bothering a person, it is recommended to immediately visit a gastroenterologist. In this case, you can prevent many liver diseases in time.

Keeping the Liver Healthy

In addition to common viruses, infections and pathologies, very often the person himself is to blame for the development of liver diseases. The environment (ecology, food quality) also has a lasting effect on the liver, but anyone who does not want to have liver problems should take care of himself. It is necessary to monitor compliance with the rules on labor protection in hazardous industries. Foods that have undergone any additional chemical processing make it incredibly difficult for the liver to work. You can not abuse alcohol. In addition, always supervise the processing of medical equipment. Pay close attention to donated blood (it can be a source of viral hepatitis). Try to take care of your diet as much as possible and do not treat all diseases with pills - this may provide a short-term improvement, but in the future it will contribute to the development of liver diseases. It would not be superfluous to recall once again that self-medication and improper treatment of pathologies of other organs can lead to secondary liver damage.

Remember that the liver is a connecting element between the two most important systems of the human body (blood supply and digestion). Any disruption of the work of this gland will contribute to the development of diseases of the heart, stomach and intestines.
And the simplest advice from doctors: if between 5-7 in the morning a healthy person drinks at least half a glass of water or herbal decoction, night bile (especially toxic) will leave the body and will not interfere with the normal functioning of the liver until the end of the day.

Variety of liver functions
bile production
How to protect the liver from ailments?
Cleansing the liver and restoring its functions

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The liver is an important organ for the proper functioning of the human body. The functions of the liver are diverse: it is responsible for cleaning the blood of harmful substances, helps in the distillation of blood, takes part in the digestive processes. Many diseases begin their development due to improper functioning of the liver. Flatulence, constipation, diarrhea and other ailments of the digestive tract can be the consequences of malfunctions in the work of an important organ. Proper liver function is very important for a person. It is very difficult to single out the most important functions, since the work of other body systems depends on each of them.

Variety of liver functions

The liver is one of the most important organs. Without it, man cannot exist. The main function of the organ is to cleanse the body of toxins, in other words, detoxification, the barrier function of the liver. In addition to this function, the liver performs many other useful actions. The main functions are known to many:

helps in the digestion of food;
converts useful substances from digested food into energy;
controls the level of fats, glucose in the blood;
controls the accumulation of iron and vitamins;
kills microbes and bacteria;
purifies the blood;
monitors the level of hormones, including sex;
helps the body in making proteins and other enzymes.

This is not the whole list of functions performed by the liver. Each cell has a specific role to play. But from them it is possible to single out the most significant and important for the body. One of the main functions of the liver is to produce energy from food. The liver does this when the body urgently needs vital energy. Bread and potatoes contain carbohydrates. They are converted into glucose by the liver and stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen. When the body urgently needs energy, glycogen is instantly converted into glucose (with the help of the liver).

Another important function of the liver is to cleanse the body of toxins and other toxins. From harmful substances, the blood is cleansed while in the liver. No organ can perform the detoxifying function of the liver. People who have liver problems may suffer from a lack of blood glucose.

In addition to these important functions, the liver helps fight infectious diseases, especially those that occur in the intestines. Therefore, proper nutrition, diet during illness contribute to a speedy recovery.

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bile production

One of the most important functions of the liver is the production of bile. The volume of secreted bile is up to 1.5 liters per day. Bile is a bitter, viscous yellow liquid. It neutralizes the action of the acid. Foods are digested mainly due to the alkaline fluid (bile). Calcium and fats are absorbed by the body precisely because of it. Depending on the digestibility of various substances, one can judge the production of bile. If fats are not absorbed by the body in the right amount, then this may be a symptom of improper bile secretion. A sign of problems with bile secretion is indelible feces, as undigested fat, which is lighter than water, is excreted along with it.

If fat is not absorbed, then calcium also does not enter the body. In order for the body to make up for the deficiency of calcium, it begins to wash it out of the bones. As a result, diseases associated with the skeletal system of the body begin to appear. Very often, the cause of osteoporosis and similar diseases is insufficient secretion of bile, due to which the absorption of fats does not occur, and not a lack of calcium, as some think. The structure of the body is very complex, and all systems are interconnected.

The bile produced by the liver is not only a fat splitter, but also helps to cleanse the body of toxins formed. It also cleanses the intestines, washing it and restoring the microflora. When stones form in the liver and gallbladder, the flow of bile into the intestine becomes more difficult. A symptom of such formations is a change in the color of feces to pale yellow, resembling clay. Stones in the body are formed due to malnutrition. Other reasons for their appearance are an unhealthy lifestyle, the use of alcohol or drugs. In order for the body to begin functioning in the previous normal mode, it is imperative to remove gallstones. After removal, the microflora will be restored, the organs will begin to function as before.

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How to protect the liver from ailments?

In order for the various systems of the body to function properly, it is necessary to protect such an important organ as the liver. With the cessation of its healthy functioning, health problems can begin, including diseases of the pancreas, stomach and other organs. The level and quality of human life depend on how well the liver works. To avoid problems, you must follow some rules.

One main rule for maintaining health is the timely recognition of the onset of the disease. Liver disease can be identified by some distinct symptoms:

severe pain in the liver, which may indicate an increase in the organ and the presence of viral hepatitis;
change in skin and eye color from normal to yellow;
liquid consistency of the stool;
vascular problems, clearly visible;
small rash on the face or chest.

As soon as at least one of the symptoms appears, you should be more attentive to your body and with the appearance of other symptoms, you should consult a doctor. With the help of tests and studies, the doctor will be able to identify whether there are problems with the liver and what are the characteristics of the organ, and if the answer is positive, he will prescribe treatment.

In addition to the prescribed treatment, you should follow a few simple rules. Moreover, their observance is mandatory after the course of treatment, otherwise there is a risk of re-disease. It is also necessary to adhere to such recommendations for prevention purposes.

First of all, you must follow a strict diet: completely eliminate fatty, fried, salty, spicy, smoked, too sweet and alcohol.

Introduce plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits into your diet. Butter is better to replace vegetable oil. Drink plenty of water, consume 1 liter of exclusively non-carbonated mineral per day. Freshly squeezed juices are beneficial for the liver. Medicines must be taken strictly according to the doctor's prescription. After consulting a doctor, you can resort to traditional medicine. With the help of folk recipes, you can periodically cleanse the liver, but this must be done with extreme caution. There are special exercises for healing the liver and restoring its functions. Yoga also has a beneficial effect on an important organ.

So liver...

Ensures normal digestion

In the cells of the liver - hepatocytes - bile is formed, which is then sent to the gallbladder, and when food enters the body, it is released into the duodenum. Bile is needed for the digestion of fats - it helps them break down and be absorbed. It also facilitates the absorption of carbohydrates and proteins. Also, bile creates comfortable conditions for the work of digestive enzymes and stimulates the peristalsis of the small intestine, that is, it helps to ensure that the processed food moves in the right direction without any problems.

Liver cells secrete bile almost non-stop - an average of 800 to 1800 ml per day (depending on the person's weight). If this production suddenly stopped, the digestion of food would become impossible.

Helps control blood glucose levels

Glucose is the main source of energy for our body. It comes from foods containing carbohydrates - sugar, pastries, cereals, berries and fruits, juices. In order for the body to work well, blood glucose levels must be at a certain level and be more or less stable. Both excess and lack of glucose are extremely harmful: against such a background, various organs can be affected - from the retina to the heart muscle.

But we don't always control our diet exactly, so sometimes too much glucose enters the bloodstream (it is enough to eat several sweets at once). In this case, the liver "takes" the excess, turns it into a special substance - glycogen - and stores it. If we skip meals or work hard at the gym, our blood glucose levels drop below normal. Then the liver quickly converts glycogen into glucose and feeds the body with it.

If this function did not exist, we would have diabetes, and not having time to eat on time, we would risk falling into a hypoglycemic coma.

Regulates the volume of blood in the body

Blood moves through the vessels, bringing nutrients to the organs and taking away the waste. Everyone knows this from school. But not everyone knows that the body has a so-called blood depot, which is created by reservoir organs. The liver is one of these organs, it stores a large supply of blood. For the time being, this reserve remains isolated from the main blood flow, but in case of blood loss it is quickly released into the vessels. If the liver did not perform this work, in case of accidents, injuries, after medical operations, the threat to life would be much greater than now.

By the way, if there were no liver, we could even die from a small wound. It is in the liver that many blood plasma proteins are synthesized, including those that are responsible for its normal clotting, and therefore for the rapid healing of cuts and scratches.

Helps in the absorption of vitamins

Daily intake of all vitamins is the key to good health. If you adhere to a balanced diet, you can ensure the supply of nutrients to the body. But this is not enough - it is necessary that the vitamins are fully absorbed. In this sense, the role of the liver can hardly be overestimated: it is directly involved in the processing of vitamins A, C, D, E, K, PP and folic acid, helping them to perform their functions. The impact of these vitamins on the body is diverse: they are needed for the full functioning of the immune system and the nervous system, good vision, bone strength, normal metabolic processes, skin elasticity ...

Also, reserves of vitamins A, D and B12 are stored inside the liver, which the body uses if a new portion of useful substances has not been received for some reason. An important role is played by the body in the processing and storage of minerals - copper, cobalt and iron, which is necessary for the production of hemoglobin.

Removes all excess from the body

Our body is a huge factory. Like any production, it has its own waste - unnecessary, used, and sometimes just unnecessary components. Their removal from the body is also handled by the liver. It removes excess hormones and vitamins, as well as harmful nitrogenous compounds that are formed during metabolism.

Do not forget about the toxins that enter the body from the outside. The liver is not without reason called the main filter. Like a sponge, it passes through itself pesticides, heavy metals, preservatives, splits them into harmless substances. If this function did not exist, the body would look like a dump, and we would not live even a week, dying from poisoning.

Important

Liver cells, hepatocytes, have a tremendous ability to regenerate. There are cases when the organ "grew" again after operations in which a person had only a quarter of it. But in order for the liver to replenish its resources, favorable conditions are needed. Alas, in modern life there are a lot of factors that can damage it, so its diseases are very common.

The peculiarity of the liver is that even if there are changes in it, it does not bother a person for a long time, pain appears only in the later stages of the disease. If you are exposed to risk factors, consult a gastroenterologist or hepatologist, undergo examinations and follow the recommendations given by your doctor.

As a rule, drugs from the group of hepatoprotectors are included in the complex therapy of liver diseases. They help the cells of the body recover faster and prevent their destruction. Some drugs from this group are also able to improve blood flow in the liver and remove excess fat from it. Such drugs can also be used for prophylactic purposes, but before taking it, you should consult your doctor.

The human organ is the liver. It is unpaired and is located on the right side of the abdominal cavity. The liver performs about 70 different functions. All of them are so important for the life of the body that even a slight violation in its functioning leads to serious illnesses. In addition to participating in digestion, it cleanses the blood of poisons and toxins, is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals, and performs many other functions. To help this organ work without interruption, you need to know what is the role of the liver in the human body.

Basic information about this body

The liver is located in the right hypochondrium and takes up a lot of space in the abdominal cavity because it is the largest internal organ. Its weight ranges from 1200 to 1800 grams. In shape, it resembles a convex mushroom cap. She got her name from the word "furnace", since this organ has a very high temperature. The most complex chemical processes are constantly taking place there, and work is going on without interruption.

It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of what is the role of the liver in the human body, because all the functions that it performs are vital for it. Therefore, this organ has regenerative abilities, that is, it can regenerate itself. But the cessation of its activities leads to the death of a person in a couple of days.

Protective function of the liver

More than 400 times a day, all blood passes through this organ, being cleansed of toxins, bacteria, poisons and viruses. The barrier role of the liver is that its cells break down all toxic substances, process them into a harmless water-soluble form and remove them from the body. They work like a complex chemical laboratory, neutralizing toxins that enter the body with food and air and are formed as a result of metabolic processes. From what toxic substances does the liver cleanse the blood?

From preservatives, dyes and other additives found in foods.

From bacteria and microbes that enter the intestines, and from their waste products.

From alcohol, drugs and other toxic substances that enter the blood with food.

From exhaust gases and heavy metals from the ambient air.

From an excess of hormones and vitamins.

From toxic products formed as a result of metabolism, such as phenol, acetone or ammonia.

Digestive function of the liver

It is in this organ that proteins, fats and carbohydrates coming from the intestines are converted into an easily digestible form. The role of the liver in the process of digestion is enormous, because it is there that cholesterol, bile and many enzymes are formed, without which this process is impossible. They are released into the intestines through the duodenum and help in the digestion of food. The role of bile is especially important, which not only breaks down fats and promotes the absorption of proteins and carbohydrates, but also has a bactericidal effect, destroying the pathogenic microflora in the intestine.

The role of the liver in metabolism

Carbohydrates that come with food, only in this organ are converted into glycogen, which enters the blood in the form of glucose as needed. The process of gluconeogenesis provides the body with the right amount of glucose. The liver controls the level of insulin in the blood depending on the needs of the person.

This organ is also involved in protein metabolism. It is in the liver that albumin, prothrombin and other proteins that are important for the life of the body are synthesized. Almost all of the cholesterol involved in the breakdown of fats and the formation of certain hormones is also formed there. In addition, the liver takes an active part in water and mineral metabolism. It can store up to 20% of blood and

serves as a storehouse of many minerals and vitamins.

Participation of the liver in the process of hematopoiesis

This organ is called the "blood depot". In addition to the fact that up to two liters can be stored there, hematopoiesis processes take place in the liver. It synthesizes globulins and albumins, proteins that ensure its fluidity. The liver is involved in the formation of iron, which is necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin. In addition to toxic substances, this organ breaks down red blood cells, resulting in the production of bilirubin. It is in the liver that proteins are formed that perform transport functions for hormones and vitamins.

Storage of useful substances

Speaking about the role of the liver in the human body, it is impossible not to mention its function of accumulating substances necessary for vital activity. What is this organ the repository of?

1. This is the only place where glycogen is stored. The liver stores it and, as needed, releases it into the blood in the form of glucose.

2. About two liters of blood is there and is only used in case of severe blood loss or shock.

3. The liver is a repository of vitamins necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Especially a lot of vitamins A and B12 are stored in it.

4. This organ forms and accumulates cations of metals necessary for the body, such as iron or copper.

What can liver dysfunction lead to?

If this organ for some reason cannot work properly, then various diseases arise. You can immediately understand what is the role of the liver in the human body, if you see what violations in its work lead to:

Decreased immunity and constant colds;

Violation of blood clotting and frequent bleeding;

Severe itching, dry skin;

Hair loss, acne;

The appearance of diabetes and obesity;

Various gynecological diseases, such as early menopause;

Digestive disorders, manifested by frequent constipation, nausea and loss of appetite;

Nervous disorders - irritability, depression, insomnia and frequent headaches;

Disorders of water metabolism, manifested by edema.

Very often the doctor treats these symptoms without noticing that the cause is liver damage. There are no nerve endings inside this organ, so a person may not experience pain. But everyone should know what role the liver plays in his life, and try to support it. It is necessary to give up alcohol, smoking, spicy and fatty foods. Limit the use of drugs, products containing preservatives and dyes.

The liver is the largest endocrine gland in the human body. She secretes her secret into the duodenum. This organ got its name from the word "furnace". This is due to the fact that this gland is the hottest organ in the human body. The liver is a whole “chemical laboratory” in which the metabolism and energy exchange takes place. To understand the basics of the functioning of this important organ, knowledge from various fields of medicine is needed: physiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology. All functions of the liver can be divided into digestive and non-digestive.

Digestive functions

The liver is involved in the processes of digestion. Its digestive functions can be divided into bile formation (choleresis) and bile excretion (cholekinesis). Bile formation occurs continuously, and bile excretion occurs only when food enters the digestive tract.

About 1.5 liters of bile is formed per day. This amount varies significantly depending on the composition of the food taken. If the food is rich in fats, extractive substances (those that give the food a spicy, spicy, peppery taste), then more bile will form. Also per day, this digestive juice is more formed in people with obesity and increased body weight. The bile formed in the liver flows through the bile ducts into the duodenum. Part of it accumulates in the gallbladder, forming the so-called reserve, which is evacuated from the gallbladder when food is received.

The composition of bile

The composition of cystic and hepatic bile differs. The bile that is in the gallbladder is darker, more concentrated and thicker than the liver. Bile consists of water, cholesterol, bile acids, bile pigments (bilirubin and biliverdin).

Cholesterol is involved in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins.

Bile acids contribute to the emulsification of fats (break large particles of fat into microscopic balls - micelles, facilitating their digestion).

Bile pigments (bilirubin and biliverdin) are formed from hemoglobin during the destruction of red blood cells. There are indirect bilirubin (it is formed in the spleen during the destruction of old red blood cells) and direct bilirubin (it is formed in the liver from indirect). Bile pigments are processed by bacteria of the large intestine with the formation of stercobilin and urobilin. Stercobilin contributes to the brown coloration of feces, and urobilin, being absorbed from the large intestine into the blood, provides a yellow color to the urine.

Functions of bile

Bile performs the following functions:

Emulsifies fats;
Stimulates motility (motor activity) of the small intestine;
Kills some microorganisms and inhibits their reproduction;
Translates lipase (an enzyme that breaks down fats) into an active state;
Turns pepsin (an enzyme that breaks down proteins) into an inactive state.

Non-Digestive Functions

In addition to ensuring normal digestion, the liver performs many other functions in the body. These include:

Participation in the metabolism of carbohydrates. Three important processes occur in this organ - gluconeogenesis, gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. Gluconeogenesis consists in the synthesis of amino acids (components of all proteins) of glucose. Glyconeogenesis is the process of synthesis in the liver of glycogen (a storage carbohydrate in the body of all animals). Glycogen between meals undergoes glycogenolysis (breakdown) with the formation of glucose. This happens to maintain normal blood sugar levels at a time when it does not enter the body with food.
Participation in protein metabolism. Most proteins in the body are synthesized in the liver. Even in this organ, the final breakdown of proteins occurs with the formation of ammonia. This fact is of great importance in the pathogenesis of such a symptom of liver failure as the presence of a "liver" ammonia smell from the mouth.
Participation in the metabolism of fats. All types of fats are synthesized in the liver: triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids. Triglycerides are the main component of adipose tissue and perform a storage function. Cholesterol is necessary for the formation of cell membranes, the synthesis of steroid hormones (sex hormones, mineralocorticoids, glucocorticosteroids) and calcidiol (vitamin D metabolite). Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. It then goes through two stages of activation, one of which also occurs in the liver. Phospholipids are the main component of cell membranes and myelin (a fat-like substance that acts as an insulator in nerve fibers, preventing the dissipation of electrical impulses).
Participation in the metabolism of vitamins. The liver is responsible for the absorption and storage of fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) and some water-soluble (B6, B12) vitamins.
Participation in the exchange of trace elements. In the described organ, the following microelements are exchanged - iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, cobalt, zinc, etc.
Participation in hemostasis (blood clotting). The liver synthesizes many protein factors that ensure the formation of a blood clot. In liver diseases, increased bleeding is often observed precisely in connection with this fact.
Disarming function. In the liver, many toxic substances are neutralized, which are formed during the life of the body or enter it from the outside. Inactivated (neutralized) substances are then excreted from the body with bile or urine.
"Blood depositing" function of the liver. About 30% of the blood that the heart pumps in one minute passes through the liver. When there is a shortage of blood in the body (for example, with blood loss), the blood flow is redistributed in favor of other organs, and in the liver it becomes significantly less.
endocrine function. Everyone knows about the existence of growth hormone, which promotes the growth of the human body. However, the growth hormone itself (somatotropin) does not have such effects. It affects the liver, stimulating the formation of somatomedins (insulin-like growth factors) in it, which already independently stimulate the growth of the body. Even in the liver, calcidiol is synthesized from vitamin D, which then enters the kidneys and is converted into calcitriol, a hormone involved in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus.
Regulation of blood pressure. Angiotensinogen is formed in the liver, which, activated in several stages, turns into angiotensin 2, a powerful factor that increases blood pressure.
immune function. Some protective proteins (for example, antibodies, lysozyme, etc.) are formed in the liver, which have a bactericidal (kill bacteria), viricidal (kill viruses), fungicidal (kill fungi) action.
Drug transformation. In the liver, both deactivation (neutralization) and activation of some drugs occur. That is why, in case of liver pathology, some drugs reduce their activity and require an increase in dosage, while others increase activity and involve a decrease in the dose taken in order to reduce their toxic effect on the body.
Hematopoietic and blood-destroying function. In the described organ in an adult, the destruction of red blood cells (erythrocytes) that have served their time occurs. In the fetus, it also produces blood cells. By the time of birth, normal hematopoiesis in the liver stops, and in the newborn, this function is already performed by other organs.

Thus, the liver is a multifunctional organ that ensures the constancy of the internal environment of the body.