Last Updated on August 8, 2021 by
Every time we examine an organ of the human body, its structure, and the way it works almost seems like a miracle to us. The liver is no exception. It is the largest gland of the body and, next to the brain, the heaviest organ. The average human liver weighs about one kilogram. The liver has to be so large because of the work it does. It not only manufactures digestive juices, but it is also a filter in which all the food received from the intestine (except fat) goes through a chemical process. It is like a blood-filled sponge that absorbs the food digested in the intestine.
What happens to food in the liver is that it is “reconstructed”. The foreign protein is rebuilt to form a human protein. The liver also “detoxifies” food. When the body takes in nicotine and caffeine, the liver transforms these “poisons” into harmless compounds. Liver cells also destroy bacilli that may enter the body.
Because the liver is located between the intestine and the heart, it acts as a kind of dam for the liquids we take in. If you drink a large amount of liquid, the liver swells up soon after. The liver cells manufacture the digestive fluid known as bile. (It is sometimes called “gall”.) One of the things bile does is emulsify fat. It divides the large fat drops contained in digested foods into very fine droplets and thus makes it possible for the body to absorb fat.
Can You Live Without A Liver?
The liver performs essential, life-sustaining functions. While you can’t live without a liver completely.
What function does the liver do?
Your liver does so much, and it can get pretty busy! It produces half your body’s blood cells, filters your blood for toxins, and produces two of the body’s most important enzymes. It also stores your food, along with all your vital organs, when you eat.
Can you live without a liver?
In the medical world, the answer is a resounding “no.” Without a functioning liver, there would be no production of bile, which helps the body break down fat, keep it moving in the bloodstream, and control blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is a vital organ, and its failure can cause a host of complications, including jaundice, anemia, and even death.
How do you keep your liver healthy?
1. Maintain a healthy weight.
2. Eat a balanced diet.
3. Exercise regularly.
4. Avoid toxins.
5. Use alcohol responsibly.
6. Avoid the use of illicit drugs.
7. Avoid contaminated needles.
