El liver It is one of the most important organs in the human body and performs more than 500 essential functions for our health. It is responsible for the Detoxification of the organism, the nutrient processing, the bile production and regulation of various chemical substances in the blood. Its proper functioning is key to maintaining the metabolic balance and avoid diseases.
Main functions of the liver
The liver performs multiple functions that are crucial for the body. Some of the most important ones include:
- Regulation of blood levels: Filters and metabolizes nutrients, hormones and toxins to maintain proper chemical balance.
- Bile production: It is responsible for producing up to one liter of bile per day, necessary for digestion y fat absorption.
- Blood processing and filtering: All ingested substances first pass through the liver, which eliminates toxins and metabolizes drugs.
- Glucose storage: It converts glucose into glycogen for storage and releases it when the body needs it.
- Regulation of protein metabolism: Synthesizes essential proteins and converts toxic ammonia into urea for elimination.
- Production of coagulation factors: It participates in the synthesis of substances that allow correct blood coagulation.
- Purification of aged red blood cells: Recycles iron from hemoglobin and removes waste products such as bilirubin.
Liver related diseases
When the liver does not function properly, various diseases can appear that affect general health. Some of the most common are:
- Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver that can be caused by viral infections, alcohol consumption, or autoimmune diseases.
- Cirrhosis: Chronic disease characterized by scarring of liver tissue, usually caused by excessive alcohol consumption or chronic hepatitis.
- Fatty liver: Excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, which can lead to inflammation and liver damage.
- Liver failure: Severe deterioration in liver function that may require a transplant.
Signs of an overloaded liver
Some symptoms may indicate a malfunctioning liver:
- Chronic fatigue
- Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice).
- Headaches y slow digestion.
- Swelling y fluid retention.
- Dark urine y pale stools.
If you experience these symptoms, it is advisable to see a specialist to evaluate the health of your liver.
How to take care of liver health
Wear a healthy life style is essential to keep the liver in optimal condition. Some recommendations include:
- Maintain a balanced diet: Eat fruits, vegetables and foods rich in antioxidants.
- Avoid excessive alcohol: Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages is one of the main causes of liver damage.
- Regular exercise: It helps reduce fat in the liver and improves metabolic function.
- Hepatitis vaccination: Protects against viral infections that affect the liver.
- Avoid self-medication: Some drugs can be harmful to liver function.
The liver is a vital organ that performs multiple essential functions in the body. Taking proper care of it is key to maintaining good overall health and preventing disease. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and having regular medical checkups can make a difference in preventing liver problems.