The human liver is a very crucial organ and is the second largest organ in the body after skin. It is situated in the right side, upper abdominal area. Liver influences metabolism of the body. It helps in burning fat and maintains body weight. It detoxifies and purifies the bloodstream.
Sometimes the liver can become unhealthy or diseased. In such cases, people have to get different treatment. If the liver becomes more diseased or can not function properly, the doctors suggest they undergo a transplant as the liver transplant success rate is quite high.
What Are Some Top Interesting Facts About the Liver?
Mentioned below are some of the top interesting facts about the liver.
It has a dual identity.
The liver is the second largest organ and the largest gland of the human body. In an adult, it can weigh up to 1.3 kg to 1.6 kg and has a reddish-brown colour. The liver filters the toxins or chemicals from the body, which are disposed of as bile and removes it in the form of stool or urine. The brown colour of the stool is due to the bile produced in the liver.
It is an organ that can regenerate.
The only organ in the body which can regrow or regenerate completely is the liver. To regenerate or regrow, it only requires around 25 percent of the original tissues. In the case of a living donor transplant, an individual can donate more than half of their liver, and it can grow into its original size in almost two weeks.
The liver stores the water and metabolism of carbohydrates.
It helps to control blood sugar levels. People can have type 2 diabetes if an individual has a fatty liver. It converts glucose to glycogen from foods rich in carbohydrates. The energy is maintained at a high level as it is released between meals. It should also be known that glycogen absorbs water over six times its weight, so the liver plays a vital role in storing water.
The functionality of the brain depends upon the liver.
The liver regulates plasma glucose and ammonia levels. If it gets out of control, it results in a condition known as hepatic encephalopathy and, eventually, coma. So, we can say that if we want the brain to function correctly, then the working of the liver is essential.
It helps in hormone metabolism.
The liver is the primary site of hormone breakdown. It breaks down oestrogen and secretes it into bile, which enters the intestines for excretion. If the liver is overworked, it will not excrete oestrogen properly and may get the symptoms of lumpy breasts, fluid retention, menstrual cramps etc. If the liver does not properly break the androgen, that is, the male hormone, then problems of acne, scalp hair loss, and facial hair in women may occur.
The liver helps in creating protein and acts as a clotting agent.
For growth and proper working of our body, we need protein. Sometimes the food consumed by people is not enough to maintain the needs of their bodies. So, the liver produces its protein. Even the chemicals and enzymes need to form blood clots so that it can stop bleeding while cuts or wounds are secreted by the liver. An individual living with an unhealthy liver is more prone to bleeding.
The liver also determines cholesterol levels.
In the human body, the cholesterol level is found by the liver's health. If the liver is fatty or sluggish, higher levels of bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides will be formed. Thus, it is said that the liver is responsible for producing cholesterol, which helps in synthesising some hormones and generating new cells.
The liver performs 500 different functions.
According to scientists, the liver can perform around 500 different functions. However, it can get diseased by the consumption of drugs, alcohol and some viruses such as Hepatitis B. Due to unprocessed bilirubin, the eyes and skin colour turn yellow, which means the liver is not working correctly. Therefore, it is essential to take care of the liver properly.
The bottom line
The liver is a vital organ of our body which performs several functions; it is responsible for producing enzymes and chemicals that help the blood to clot and stop bleeding during a wound or cut. Those with diseased livers must undergo a transplant because the success rate is relatively high. People with liver-related issues must visit AILBS for the best form of care and treatment. Explore the website to know more.
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