In the article, we will consider how the liver works. This is one of the largest glands of the human digestive system, a kind of filter that cleans the substances passing through it and transforms their chemical composition. In the liver, about 20 million different chemical reactions occur in one minute. How a person’s liver works is interesting to many.
Body weight and structure
The weight of this organ is approximately 1.5 kg, and it is located directly below the diaphragm in the right hypochondrium. The liver consists of two lobes: left and right, each of which additionally includes almost 100,000 branches (therefore, the organ is compared with a sponge). Thanks to the liver, many important functions are performed in the body (approximately 500). It accumulates nutrients: iron, glycogen, various vitamins. The liver produces bile, which promotes the breakdown and absorption of fats, takes part in the processes of regulation of glucose levels.
However, the most important function of the body is the barrier (detoxification of toxins and poisons in the body, removal and protection against malignant bacteria). The liver takes a hit with an unbalanced diet or poisoning. The metabolic function is in the metabolic processes: carbohydrate, mineral, fat, protein, pigment. Another function of the liver is biliary. It is thanks to the totality of the functions presented that the organ is called the filter of the body.
How does the liver work? The most unique property is its ability to recover and heal, thanks to which a person is able to survive even after removal of 70% of the liver tissue.
Liver function
So, we will understand in more detail how the liver works. One of the most important functions of the body is the production of bile. This yellowish-green liquid of bitter taste is formed in the liver cells from red blood cells, dead red blood cells. By producing bile and removing it to the intestinal region, the liver not only removes decaying red blood cells from the body, but also creates a chemical compound that is necessary for the digestion of dietary fats. Bile from the liver cells enters the bile capillaries, which merge to form the bile ducts. The latter eventually connect into a single bile duct, heading to the duodenum. There is also a special branch to the gallbladder.
No matter how benign the foods are, the cells of the body cannot use them until the constituent elements of the food are processed in the liver. Therefore, venous blood, which carries digested substances from the stomach and intestines, is primarily sent to the liver. This is how the body receives the substances necessary for nutrition. Oxygen enters there separately, also with blood, but in a different way: through the hepatic artery. The liver uses only part of these products for its needs. A greater number of them are converted here so that they become suitable for the nutrition of other cells of the body. At the same time, the neutralization of toxic compounds and some pathogenic microorganisms occurs. Proteins enter the liver already split into amino acids. The toxic compound, ammonia, synthesized into urea, is removed from them. It is removed from the body through the urinary system.
How a person’s liver works, everyone should know. It not only promotes the digestion of fats in the intestines, secreting bile, but also is able to accumulate fat in its structures. When necessary, it turns it into carbohydrates or glucose. It also forms cholesterol, which plays an important role in the formation of bile acids, hormones, in the regulation of cell permeability, etc.
Carbohydrate metabolism
Particularly important is the participation of this body in carbohydrate metabolism. The body needs glucose, which is formed during the breakdown of carbohydrates in the intestines. The amount of glucose in the blood washing all the cells of the body is 0.07-0.1%. Deviation from this figure can provoke various pathological changes. The liver monitors the consistency of glucose composition. When there is a lot of it, the organ converts this element into glycogen and stores it in its lobes in reserve. In case of increased needs of the body, glycogen is again transformed into glucose. The organ can receive glycogen from lactic acid, a harmful compound that forms in the muscles. How the liver works in the human body is now clear.
Water retention
The body can retain excess water in itself and prevent a strong dilution of blood. It is able to store reserves of vitamins and mineral salts, and even produce vitamins A and B. The liver is involved in the formation of about half of the body’s lymph, as well as urea. It has the ability to convert lead, arsenic, mercury, alcohol and other poisons into neutral compounds. However, this possibility is not unlimited. When this function weakens, poisons begin to penetrate the general bloodstream, contributing to the development of various diseases.
How do the gall bladder and liver work together?
The work of the liver and gall bladder
The functions of these bodies should be considered in a complex, since they actively work together. It is the liver that regularly produces bile, which enters the bile ducts into a kind of “container” - the gall bladder. The most important function that the liver performs is the production of fluid, without which digestion is impossible. Bile salts break down fats into tiny particles, turning them into soluble compounds.
The gall bladder is directly adjacent to the liver. From it, bile through the excretory duct enters the area of the duodenum. This substance is produced continuously by the liver, but in the duodenum it appears only when it is necessary to process the incoming food. Between meals, it accumulates in the gallbladder. Thus, the organ located between the duodenum and the liver is very important for the body. The main function of the gallbladder is cumulative. How the liver works without a gall bladder, we will tell below.
Cystic duct
Between the bile ducts and the bladder there is a connection - the cystic duct. There are several valves along the route of fluid from the liver to the intestines, the purpose of which is to hold bile until it is needed. Bile in the bladder is constantly replenished and thickens. Therefore, its composition from the liver differs from the composition of that located in the gallbladder. During food, through the valve system, it is delivered to the duodenum, where it is involved in digestion.
So, let's figure out how the liver works after removing the gallbladder. What is the difference?
After cholecystectomy
After removal of the gallbladder, a number of changes take place at the biochemical level. The patient begins to malfunction in the processes of production and flow of bile. Biological fluid becomes more fluid, because after surgery there is no longer an organ where it previously accumulated and concentrated to the required state.
It enters the duodenum not in portions, but constantly. In this case, bile does not reach a certain concentration, respectively, its effect on pathogenic microbes is reduced. After the operation, changes begin. Liver cells continue to produce bactericidal fluid, but there is nowhere to store it. The body must adapt to functioning without the gall bladder. How does the liver work after organ removal? The following changes occur:
- The pressure on the walls of the ducts increases significantly. Through them flows the entire volume of produced bile.
- The usual balance of microflora is lost: all bacteria that died under the influence of concentrated bile now survive and can begin to multiply.
- The mechanism of application of this fluid is changing. With a functioning organ, bile could pass from the liver to the intestines and back up to 6 times a day. After surgery, absorption is more difficult, so the bulk of bile is excreted.
Recovery process
You can easily adapt to such changes, although recovery after cholecystectomy is a rather long and complicated process. It is important to listen to the doctor’s recommendations, follow certain nutritional rules.
How the liver works without a gall bladder, it is important to find out in advance. In most cases, after surgical treatment, the life of patients improves markedly. However, some of them note that after the intervention severe pains in the abdomen begin to appear, nausea and a feeling of bitterness in the mouth appear, and bloating disturbs. But this happens in the few patients who have had their gall bladder removed. From the moment of the operation, the functions in the body are redistributed. If before this there were problems with the liver or pancreas, then the increased load on these organs contributes to the deterioration of well-being. When taking certain medications, following a diet, the condition gradually stabilizes and improves.
How to understand that the liver is not working well?
There are strictly specific symptoms of pathologies and liver dysfunctions, according to which it can be assumed what problems or complications a person may expect in the future. Understand that the liver does not work well, according to the following characteristic signs:
- Discomfort and soreness. The appearance of pain or discomfort in the projection of this gland, and if they are very intense, it is important to have liver problems that are actively progressing. An excessively intense pain syndrome in the hypochondrium on the right can appear with an abscess, cirrhosis, and some hepatitis.
- The size of the body. The pathology is also indicated by a change in the size of the organ, in most cases - an increase in the liver. Deformation and enlargement of the gland can occur with hepatitis, infectious and tumor-like processes, hepatosis, cirrhosis.
- Bleeding. With impaired liver function, the elasticity of the vascular walls decreases, as a result of which frequent bleeding of various localization is observed.
- Skin problems. Dermatological phenomena can also talk about pathology: yellowing of the skin, itching, rash.
- Body mass. Sometimes in the case of a sharp increase in weight or weight loss, pain in the liver is observed.
How to make the liver work?
To activate the liver, it is not necessary to immediately start taking any medications. For starters, you can try to restore the body in natural ways, clean it.
The liver needs a large amount of vitamins and minerals, so fruits and vegetables must be present in a person’s diet with a violation of its functions. It is necessary to exclude everything unnatural: food additives, preservatives, thickeners, stabilizers, sweeteners, emulsifiers, which are present in many products. It is recommended to consume a lot of fresh beets and carrots. These two vegetables are considered powerful remedies for repairing and cleansing the liver.
Green products
In addition, one should not forget about green products that contain chlorophyll, which actively cleanses liver cells. Every day, it is recommended to eat two tablespoons of chopped flaxseed. This component prevents hormonal disorders, normalizes the digestive system. Using linseed oil and flaxseed, you can activate the liver and make it more effective. Flaxseed can be added to salads, cereals or used as an ingredient in cocktails.
Folk recipes
There are also some popular recipes in order to make the liver work. In this case, medicinal herbs are most often used to help strengthen and cleanse the organ structure: milk thistle, dandelion root, St. John's wort, mint, tansy, slippery elm, turmeric, celandine, yarrow, barberry, thyme. Liver restoration involves a reduction in the amount of sugar and synthetic sweeteners consumed.
Lecithin
Products containing lecithin help the metabolism of fats in the liver and lower cholesterol. Lecithin contains phosphatidylcholine, as well as essential acids, thanks to which the cells of the body remain healthy. Lecithin lowers high blood pressure, relaxes blood vessels, and normalizes blood flow. It can be obtained from soy, soy milk, tofu cheese, meat and eggs. In addition, this substance is sold in pharmacies in the form of biological additives. We examined how the liver works.