Alcohol, soft drinks, fruit juice… as you enjoy your fun, your liver is working overtime. A bariatric doc once told me that some fruit juices(she used orange juice as the example) are just as harsh to our liver in small servings as vodka, also in small servings. I believe it… moral of story, don’t ever drink a screwdriver. Drink more water.
The list of functions the liver performs is vast, over 500 jobs it does and does well if you are healthy. Some symptoms of liver issues are loss of appetite, fatigue, stomach discomfort, weakness, itchy skin (often palms at night), low sex drive, nose bleeds, and there are more. As you can see from the list the liver has its fingers in a lot of pies. Wait, wait, wait, don’t get excited! Just cause you have one or more of these symptoms doesn’t mean your liver is shutting down or slowly becoming cirrhotic. Since we now know what sub-optimal liver function can do, let’s look at what we can do to boost up our old friend… Avoid sugar. Drink plenty of water everyday. Jen, the next sentence is clearly directed straight at you so listen up. Take Legit’s Healthy Liver Plus+ and get and stay on Legit’s Alkalinity Multivitamin. Those are easy steps to take to make your liver happier. Happy liver, happy and healthy you.
All kidding aside, the liver is amazing… it can regenerate itself. Like the mighty starfish it can regrow portions lost or damaged. Even without that feature our liver is simply unbelievable. If the heart is still beating that liver is working every second of everyday. Give that liver some water, it must be parched.
Here are the big 5 functions… Straight from a real pro, Take it away Regina…
“The liver performs a number of vital functions in the body. A major function of the liver is to process substances in the blood. The liver receives blood from organs including the stomach, small intestines, spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder through the hepatic portal vein. The liver then processes filters and detoxifies the blood before sending it back to the heart. The liver has a digestive system, immune system, endocrine system, and exocrine functions.
- Fat Digestion: A key function of the liver in the digestion of fats. Bile produced by the liver breaks down fat in the small intestines so that it can be used for energy.
- Metabolism: The liver metabolizes carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids in the blood that are initially processed during digestion. Hepatocytes store glucose obtained from the break down of carbohydrates in the foods we eat. Excess glucose is removed from the blood and stored as glycogen in the liver. When glucose is needed, the liver breaks down glycogen into glucose and releases the sugar into the blood.
The liver metabolizes amino acids from digested proteins. In the process, toxic ammonia is produced which the liver converts to urea. Urea is transported to the blood and is passed to the kidneys where it is excreted in the urine.The liver processes fats to produce other lipids including phospholipids and cholesterol. These substances are necessary for cell membrane production, digestion, bile acid formation, and hormone production. The liver also metabolizes hemoglobin, chemicals, medications, alcohol and other drugs in the blood. - Nutrient Storage: The liver stores nutrients obtained from the blood for use when needed. Some of these substances include glucose, iron, copper, vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K (helps blood to clot), and vitamin B9 (aids in red blood cell synthesis).
- Synthesis and Secretion: The liver synthesizes and secretes plasma proteins that act as clotting factors and help to maintain proper blood fluid balance. The blood protein fibrinogen produced by the liver is converted to fibrin, a sticky fibrous mesh that traps platelets and other blood cells. Another clotting factor produced by the liver, prothrombin, is needed to convert fibrinogen to fibrin. The liver also produces a number of carrier proteins including albumin, which transports substances such as hormones, fatty acids, calcium, bilirubin, and various drugs. Hormones are also synthesized and secreted by the liver when needed. Liver-synthesized hormones include insulin-like growth factor 1, which aids in early growth and development. Thrombopoietin is a hormone that regulates platelet production in the bone marrow.
- Immune Defense: The Kupffer cells of the liver filter the blood of pathogens such as bacteria, parasites, and fungi. They also rid the body of old blood cells, dead cells, cancer cells, and cellular refuse. Harmful substances and waste products are secreted by the liver into either the bile or the blood. Substances secreted into bile are eliminated from the body through the digestive tract. Substances secreted into the blood are filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine.”
Bailey, Regina. “The Anatomy and Function of the Human Liver.” ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/liver-anatomy-and-function-4058938.
Drink more water. I wasn’t kidding about using our liver cleansing product, Healthy Liver Plus+. It was formulated to support healthy detoxification of the liver. It will synergistically help the liver to detoxify, support liver function, improve digestion, and help in maintaining proper liver health. Please consider it.
Cleanse that liver. Stay healthy and stay legit.
Did I mention… DRINK WATER
Strictly opinion and not medical advice. Consult your doctor, pharmacist and/or nutritionist before starting/stopping any supplement or exercise program.
