by Kimberly Davidson
CNP
If
asked what the most important organ of the human body is, usually the brain or heart
are first to come to mind. No doubt we could not survive without either of
these, however today I nominate the liver as the most important organ of the
body.
The
liver is responsible for over five hundred different functions in the body.
Yes, I said hundred. The liver is
the body’s major metabolic organ and plays a vital role in digestion. In
digestion, the liver synthesizes bile which is the primary product required for
digesting fats. Bile output, which is stimulated by the hormone secretin, is
necessary for the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K).
During absorption, nutrients travel in the blood first to the liver via the
hepatic portal vein, so that the liver can have “first pick” of the nutrients.
Being that it is the liver that processes the many vital substances responsible
for the body’s overall health and well-being, amino acids, fatty acids and
glucose are removed and stored or processed in various ways. Just from amino
acids, the liver can synthesize lipoproteins, cholesterol, enzymes, blood
proteins such as albumin (the most abundant protein in the blood) and clotting
factors such as prothrombin and fibrinogen. Gluconeogenesis is an example of an
important bodily function occurring in the liver. Because the brain and red
blood cell production are dependent on steady levels of glucose, stores must be
maintained. Also, the liver will synthesize glucose when notified that glycogen
stores are low. In the absence of insulin, fructose, which is hydrolyzed from
sucrose, is able to enter muscle cells and adipocytes. Fructose is metabolized
primarily in the liver.
Although
the largest, this modest organ is often overlooked, probably much due to its
association with being called ‘the filtration plant of the body’. None of us
really want to know what goes on at a filtration plant, however we all
recognize that we cannot live without one. The liver is similar to this. As
mentioned above, the liver is responsible for so many vital functions that
determine our survival, however it is the detoxification process that is most
impressive. Everything that enters the body must pass through the liver via the
hepatic portal vein. It is the liver cells that remove all nutrients from the
blood, as well as any bacteria, microbes or pathogens that have entered the
blood stream. If you stop to think about how many toxins we are exposed to
everyday, we then realize the importance of our liver. From the food we eat,
the air we breathe, the water we drink and the products we use daily, it is no
wonder why our liver is probably the most over worked organ in our body. The
reason why the human body can withstand such dangerous exposure is due to the
liver’s evolved neutralizing abilities. Within the bile that it secretes, the
liver contains enzymes that chemically modify the toxins and then properly
dispose of them. If the liver is at all compromised, the detoxification process
therefore is also compromised. Many studies have shown strong connections
between a malfunctioning liver and cancer. It is well known that environmental
pollutants (cigarette smoke, herbicides, pesticides, car fumes etc.) are
precursors to cancer as well as other illnesses. A body that is unable to
protect itself against exposure to these toxins is therefore at greater risk
for these diseases.
Fortunately,
for those with compromised livers, proper dietary measures, special supplements
and herbs along with bi-annual detoxing, the liver can repair itself. Because
of the many vital roles that the liver does, nature has provided a surplus of
liver tissue. If ever the liver experiences damage or must undergo surgery to
have part of it removed, this miraculous organ is actually capable of
regenerated itself to where it can function again at 100%!!! This is not to say
we can do what we please and not worry about the consequences; quite the
opposite. Now knowing the importance of our liver and all it does to protect us
from illness, the answer seems pretty obvious. Love your liver and it will love
you!!!
*Please
stay tuned for Part II – How to Properly Detox , which will be featured in
April’s Healthy Hotties blog.
References:
Michael
Murray, N.D and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D, Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, 2nd
Edition, Three Rivers Press, 1998
Elson
M. Haas, M.D, Staying Healthy with Nutrition, 21st Century Edition,
Celestial Arts, 2006
