Why You Need To Show Your Liver Some Love
The liver has over 500 functions. Its located in the upper right section of the abdomen but below the diaphragm. Its important to be aware of our lifestyle habits to ensure we’re not negatively impacting optimal liver function by contributing to a toxic overload or nutrient depletion. The body is always striving for survival. It will neglect certain functions in order to divert its energy towards what is absolutely necessary for survival.
A few of the functions the liver is responsible for include:
Cleanses blood from the digestive system - all blood from the digestive system enters the liver through the portal vein carrying nutrients and toxins. The liver filters over a liter of blood per minute.
Breaks down and metabolizes toxic substances to be released from body - Phase 1 and 2 detox occurs, breaking down toxins (ex: alcohol, medications, excess ammonia) and preparing them to be released from the body either through stools or back into the blood (eventually reaching the kidneys to be filtered and eliminated)
Estrogen Metabolism - do you have estrogen dominance symptoms? The liver is the primary site of estrogen metabolism (through phase 1 and 2). The liver also has estrogen receptors. Damage to the liver has been shown to impair its ability to metabolize and inactivate estrogens - resulting in increased estrogen levels.
Estrogen dominance symptoms can look like: fibroids, tender breasts, heavy/painful periods, mood instability, weight gain
Bile production - bile is made in the liver, moves through the bile ducts and into the small intestine to break down fats, excess bile is stored in the gallbladder. The liver also loads toxins into bile because it eventually moves from the small intestine to our stool/bowels so it can be eliminated from the body.
Cholesterol production - which is needed for: sex hormones, cell membranes, vitamin d priduction, bile
Stores fat soluble vitamins and minerals like copper + iron and releases them when the body is in need.
Disposes of damaged red blood cells - (also contributing to iron recycling). Mice studies have shown the presence of damaged red blood cells leading to the production of monocytes (type of white blood cell). They transported damaged cells to the liver where they were engulfed and disposed of by macrophages. Damaged red blood cells can release (iron) unbound forms of hemoglobin which can damage kidneys, lead to anemia or reduce the delivery of oxygen to tissues.
Blood sugar management - insulin signals liver to store glucose as glycogen (to use when needed at a later time) and glucagon signals liver to break down glycogen to release sugar into the blood. Gluconeogenesis (process of creating glucose from non carbohydrate sources) mainly occurs in the liver and kidneys.
Keto diet - the liver makes fatty acids, ketogenesis mainly occurs in the mitochondria of living cells. Keto state is triggered by low insulin levels (usually after a period of fasting or calories restriction). It occurs when cells use fatty acids as a source of fuel instead of glucose.
One of the main sites of thyroid hormone conversion - (t4 to active form t3). Liver disease has been shown to modulate thyroid hormone metabolism.
Traditional Chinese Medicine:
According to TCM theory, qi (life force) and blood become most active in liver meridians from 11pm to 3am so it's best to be in a sleeping state during this period. The body should be resting so the liver can use its energy and resources to regulate qi and detox the body.
Liver organ is related to anger as anger impacts the liver by impairing the flow of qi and blood.
