The Body’s Project Manager
The liver is a critical organ in the human body that is responsible for an array of functions that help support metabolism, immunity, digestion, detoxification and vitamin storage, amongst others. It is the largest internal organ and the project manager of most processes in the body. It has the ability to regrow and plays a pivotal role in your overall health, including your mental health. It transforms the nutrients in the foods you consume into substances that the body can use, stores these substances, and provides cells with them when necessary. What an amazing organ designed by our Creator!
Functions of the liver
The liver regulates chemical levels in the blood it also excretes bile which helps carry away waste products. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. The liver processes this blood and breaks down, balances, and creates the nutrients; it metabolises chemical compounds into forms that are easier to use for the rest of the body or that are nontoxic. More than 500 vital functions have been identified with the liver. Some of the more well-known functions include:
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) and to balance and make glucose as needed
Regulation of blood levels of amino acids, which form the building blocks of proteins (see the article on amino acids)
Processing of haemoglobin (the protein molecule in red blood cells)
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 making 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 leave the body in the form of faeces. Blood by-products are filtered out by the kidneys, and leave the body in the form of urine.
What makes for a happy liver?
Drink plenty of water
Keeping your liver hydrated is essential to keep liver tissue flushed and assist in helping the liver remove toxins. Dehydration effects the liver and subsequently all the other organs. Water is essential to keep your liver functioning properly.
Get enough sleep
When we sleep our body produces a hormone called melatonin which helps the liver in removing toxins from the body. The liver repairs best between the hours of 11pm and 3am, so going to bed before 11pm really helps the liver to maximise recovery time and successfully remove toxins from the body.
Exercise regularly
Keeping to a healthy and active lifestyle with regular exercise is a key component to a healthy lifestyle and happy liver. Recent studies show the benefits of regular exercise as a healing ingredient in fatty liver disease. (1)
Stay away from harsh chemicals
Many of the cleaning products, clothing wash liquids, or cosmetics we use contain harmful chemicals that impact the liver. Some fabrics we wear also contributes to adding further stress. Going green with our cleaning products are important and avoiding poisonous fabrics such as lycra and polyester, to name but two, is recommendable. Avoid body soaps and cosmetics with toxic chemicals and opt rather for organic simple soaps and oils.
Avoid NSAIDS pain killers and other chemical drugs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are extremely harmful for the liver. Avoid these at all costs. Herbs can offer pain relief and anti inflammatory relief that are equal in strength without any of the horrendous side effects these poisons have on your liver. These and other pharmaceutically recommended medications have been proven to be fatal for healthy liver function and subsequently the whole body’s health is affected. (2)
Avoid smoking
We often think that smoking mainly affects the lungs but our body is an intricate system where everything connects. Since smoking is inhaling many chemical and harmful toxins it does effect the liver and should be avoided.
Avoid drinking alcohol excessively
Excessive alcohol consumption can significantly affect the liver and contribute to three types of liver disease:
Excessive buildup of fat in the liver, also known as fatty liver or hepatic steatosis
Inflammation of the liver or alcoholic hepatitis
Replacement of normal liver tissue by scared tissue or alcohol-related cirrhosis
Eat plenty of the right vegetables and few fruits
The liver loves bitter herbs and vegetables with betacarotene such as all dark green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, and carotenoid rich vegetables such as carrots and beetroots. An easy way to remember which foods are highly beneficial for the liver is to remember that the liver loves BITTER. Highly beneficial fruits for the liver is lemon and grapefruit.
Keep good personal hygiene
Washing our hands regularly and looking after our hygiene supports the liver. Make sure to wash your hands before you eat, or after going to the bathroom. Sounds like a given but many people touch things like toxins, mould or other poisonous substances that are harmful for the liver without awareness and traces enter the body leaving it up to the liver to fight and manage. Continous poor higiene puts stress on the liver and can lead to complications.
Beware of casual sexual encounters
Sexual transmission have caused outbreaks of hepatitis A, B and C. Although you can also get these viral hepatic conditions through other means such as using contaminated needles (even in tattooing), or by being in direct contact with blood, stool or body fluids of those with the condition; it usually is transmitted sexually.
Support your liver with nourishing herbs
The liver loves bitter herbs as we have seen above and one of the best supporting herbs for liver function is Dandelion. If you haven’t yet read my article on Dandelion be sure to do so!
Other liver supporting herbs include Milk Thistle and Gentian.
Thank you for reading and happy sojourning!
A quick side note
If you have read this far I want to thank you for your support and invite you to join my subscriber chat! It’s a space where we can connect and exchange news, thoughts and ideas. I’m keen to connect with my readers and friends on alternative social platforms away from Facebook (which I left in 2021) , Twitter (which I left in 2021) and Instagram (unfortunately still on there for now). Come and say hello! I share photos, inspirational verses and other articles I find interesting. (Most of them would get censored on the above mentioned platforms.) Substack app is full of good reads and the chat is a nice direct way for us to connect, I hope to see you there.
References
Disclaimer
The information contained in this ARTICLE is for interest and educational purposes only, and is in no way a prescription or substitute for professional/medical help. We assume no responsibility for the way you choose to implement this information. Be sure to consult your medical healthcare provider(s) before making any health changes or decisions.