The liver is considered to be one of the vital organs, because it helps keep you healthy as long as you take care of it through proper diet. The liver can be damaged when it is forced to do too much work and is not able to function the proper way because of unhealthy nutritional practices. But left to act the way it was meant to, it can cleanse the body of toxins, poisons and other substances that get into the body by regulating byproducts.
Cleansing
One of the liver's most important functions is removing toxins and medication residue to cleanse the body. It cleans the bloodstream and can also remove any alcohol that is consumed. However, processing too much alcohol is overwhelming for the liver, and can lead to disorders and disease. The liver can be damaged by overindulgence in alcohol.
Absorption
The liver aids digestion by absorbing fat along with vitamins A, D, E and K for better and healthier performance in the body. It also helps distribute nutrients throughout the body.
Protein Production
The liver is involved in the production of proteins affecting the blood. It is essential in helping the blood to clot following an injury. It also produces proteins that help carry fats through the body, according to the University of Virginia Health System. The liver produces certain proteins for blood plasma.
Bile Formation
Bile is produced by the liver to help digestion and absorption of substances. The bile removes waste products from the liver and into the intestines as part of the process of nutrients from the foods that are eaten.
Filtering Process
The liver acts as a filter to cleanse chemical substances and waste products from the blood. It produces immune factors to help the body resist infections and removes bacteria from the bloodstream. Harmful substances are often removed by the liver into the kidneys which later leave the body through urine, or the substances are sent to the intestine and leave the body through stool.
Conversion
It converts excess glucose into glycogen for storage. The glucose can then be converted back to glucose for the body's energy. It helps regulate amino acids, which are important in forming proteins.
Manufacturing
The liver also produces adrenal hormones to help cell membranes. The liver manufactures the cholesterol that the body needs to make certain hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. Too much low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease, can be caused by a diet high in saturated fats. But healthy, high-fiber diets help remove the liver-produced bile attached to cholesterol and carry it out of the body.
