MORE ABOUT THE LIVER

More than 500 vital functions have been identified with the liver including the following:

·      Production of bile, which helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine during digestion

·      Absorption of vitamin K

·      Production of certain proteins for blood plasma

·      Production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a polypeptide protein hormone

·      Production of thrombopoietin is a glycoprotein hormone that regulates the production of platelets by the bone marrow

·      Hormone production

·      Synthesis of glucose from certain amino acids, lactate or glycerol

·      Conversion of glycogen into glucose

·      Formation of glycogen from glucose (this glycogen can later be converted back to glucose for energy)

·      Production of triglycerides (fats)

·      Production of cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body

·      Collecting LDL cholesterol from the blood and storing ready for excretion

·      Regulation of blood levels of amino acids, which form the building blocks of proteins

·      Processing of haemoglobin for use of its iron content (The liver stores iron)

·      Conversion of poisonous ammonia to urea (urea is one of the end products of protein metabolism that is excreted in the urine)

·      Clearing the blood of drugs, alcohol and other toxins and poisonous substances

·      The breakdown of insulin and other hormones

·      Regulating blood clotting

·      Decomposition of red blood cells

·      Resisting infections by producing immune factors and removing bacteria from the blood stream

·      Storage of substances, including glucose (in the form of glycogen),vitamin A (1–2 years supply),vitamin D (1–4 months supply)vitamin B12 (1–3 years supply),vitamin K, iron and copper.