Why is the liver so famous? What work does this giant organ do in our body (after all, in an adult, the weight of the liver reaches 2 kilograms!), And why is this work so important for our well-being?

The answer is simple. The liver is “both a granary and a health resort”, or rather, a “cleaning station” of our body, and a “laboratory” for the production of substances necessary for the body, and even a pantry where we store “emergency supplies for a rainy day”!

There are more than 500 items on the list of liver functions - but it has three main tasks.

	The main task of the liver is to clean the body. Our body works like a chemical factory - when we eat, drink, move, breathe, hundreds of chemical reactions take place in it. Providing us with everything we need, our "factory", alas, "throws" into the blood "toxic waste" - ammonia, phenol, acetone. Yes, and the “raw materials” we supply to him are not always “correct” - either we drink a glass or another, then we eat a hot dog with ketchup (and with dyes, flavors, preservatives). Many medicines “contaminate” our body - antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal drugs. The liver helps us not to "choke" in the flow of toxins - it "filters out" toxic substances and converts them into safe compounds, which are then easily excreted from the body.
	Another task is to produce the substances that the body needs. The liver "releases" and directs cholesterol for health benefits - as a "building material" for the synthesis of sex hormones and the formation of bile. Every day, the liver produces up to one and a half liters of bile - a substance necessary for the absorption of fats. It also synthesizes proteins responsible for blood clotting and for the "delivery" of vitamins and trace elements to our other organs.
	Finally, the liver is our "accumulator". It "charges" by converting incoming carbohydrates into glycogen, and when the body needs energy, this glycogen is used to produce glucose. The liver is able to store a supply of "glycogen" for a "rainy day", and it also "stores" vitamins A, D, E, K, B6 and B12 for us.

Between the hepatocytes are bile ducts, outside they are surrounded by blood vessels. But there are almost no sensitive nerves in the liver - therefore, it does not hurt and copes with its difficult work "silently", and we sometimes do not realize how hard it is for her.

Often, for example, during the holidays, when we spend time at a plentiful festive table, our liver works with overload. Filters do not have time to cope with the flow of toxins, and the next morning we get out of bed broken, with a headache, without strength. Attributing all these symptoms to the festive "bust", we do not think about the liver - because it does not hurt! Meanwhile, one of the most important organs needs our help.

A proper diet, a reasonable attitude to medicines, timely intake of drugs to protect and restore the liver - all this will protect the working liver from wear and tear, help it recover from "shock" work and provide strength and energy to the whole body!

Let's take care of the liver - and help it take care of you for many years!

Acute kidney and liver failure

Anatomical and physiological features of the liver

The mass of the liver is 1.5-2 kg. It is divided into right and left lobes. The right lobe is larger than the left lobe. The liver receives 1.5 liters of blood per minute, which is about 25% of cardiac output, and uses only 20% of the total amount of oxygen consumed by the body.

The liver has a dual circulatory system: through the portal vein and the common hepatic artery. The hepatic artery is a high pressure vessel and has high peripheral resistance. The portal hepatic vein does not have a valvular apparatus. Hepatic blood flow is regulated by the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system. Hypersympathicotonia is accompanied by a decrease in the intensity of blood flow in the liver. As a result, in shock and other conditions accompanied by an increase in the tone of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system, the blood of the liver vessels is a reserve for replenishing the volume of circulating blood.

The liver consists of stroma and parenchyma. The parenchyma is formed by glandular hepatocytes. The main functional and morphological unit of the liver is the hepatic lobule (Scheme 6).

The hepatic lobules are interconnected by the stroma. In the hepatic lobule, the central, intermediate and peripheral zones are conditionally distinguished. Between the lobules is the portal triad, which is formed by the interlobular bile ducts, interlobular arteries and veins (related to the portal hepatic vein system). The radial spaces between hepatocytes are called sinusoids. They direct mixed blood from the common hepatic artery and portal hepatic vein to the center of the lobule, from where it drains into the central veins. The central veins unite with each other and form the hepatic veins, which flow into the inferior vena cava.

Hepatocytes are glandular cells of the liver with a size of 18-40 microns. Their sizes can change during the day, depending on the degree of filling of the vascular bed with blood and the intensity of metabolic processes. Hepatocytes of the peripheral parts of the hepatic lobules perform the function of deposition and take part in detoxification processes. In the hepatocytes of the central parts of the liver, the processes of metabolism and excretion of substances of exogenous and endogenous origin into the bile ducts are carried out.

Each liver cell is involved in the formation of several bile ducts. In the biliary section of hepatocytes, substances are excreted into the bile ducts. More than 10 % masses of the liver are stellate reticuloendotheliocytes (the so-called Kupffer cells). Biotransformation of drugs, toxins and metabolic products occurs in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes, regardless of their localization in the lobule. The process of excretion of bile is disturbed when hepatocytes are damaged and parenchymal hepatitis develops, which leads to jaundice. Direct damage to the structural elements of the liver (at the level of the genetic apparatus, due to hypoxia, circulatory disorders, intoxication, purulent-septic diseases, infections, bile duct obstruction) predetermines the development of liver diseases and acute liver failure.

Main functions of the liver

The main functions of the liver:

Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Neutralization of drugs and toxins.

Depot glycogen, vitamins A, B, C, E, as well as iron and copper.

Blood reservoir.

Bacterial filtration, endotoxin degradation, lactate metabolism.

Excretion of bile and urea.

Immunological function with the synthesis of immunoglobulins and phagocytic activity due to Kupffer cells.

Hematopoiesis in the fetus.

Protein metabolism. The liver plays a major role in protein metabolism and anabolism, removes amino acids from the blood for their subsequent participation in the processes of gluconeogenesis and protein synthesis, and releases amino acids into the blood for use by peripheral cells. Therefore, the liver is of great importance in the processes of utilization of amino acids and the removal of nitrogen from the body in the form of urea. It synthesizes such important proteins as albumins (which maintain colloid osmotic pressure in the circulatory system), globulins - lipoproteins and glycoproteins that perform a transport function (ferritin, ceruloplasmin, a 1 -antitrypsin, a 2 -macroglobulin), complement factors and haptoglobins, binding and stabilizing free hemoglobin. Also, under conditions of physiological stress, acute phase proteins are synthesized in the liver: antithrombin III, a-glycoprotein and C-reactive protein. Almost all blood clotting factors are synthesized in the liver. Coagulopathy can occur both with insufficient synthetic liver function and with insufficient bile excretion, which leads to a decrease in the absorption of vitamin K, which is involved in the synthesis of factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX, X.

protein catabolism. Amino acids are degraded by their transamination, deamination and decarboxylation. The product of this decomposition is acetylcoenzyme A, which is included in the citric acid formation cycle. The end product of amino acid metabolism is ammonia. It is toxic, therefore it is excreted from the body in the form of a non-toxic product - urea. Urea is synthesized from ammonia in the ornithine cycle, which is an endothermic process (Scheme 7).

Creatinine is also synthesized in the liver from methionine, glycine, and arginine. Phosphocreatinine, which is synthesized in the muscles, serves as an energy source for ATP synthesis. Creatinine is formed from phosphocreatinine and is excreted in the urine.

During fasting, the liver maintains glucose homeostasis through gluconeogenesis and the production of ketone bodies. It also functions as a glycogen depot. Glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis occur in it when glycogen stores are depleted.

Metabolism of fats. Fatty acids and lipoproteins are synthesized in the liver, it is also an organ in which endogenous cholesterol and prostaglandin are synthesized.

Metabolism of bilirubin . Hemoglobin is metabolized into heme and globin. Globin enters the pool of amino acids. The heme tetrapyrol ring breaks, as a result of which an iron atom is released from it, and the heme is converted to biliverdin. The enzyme biliverdin reductase then converts biliverdin to bilirubin. This bilirubin remains bound to albumin in the blood as unconjugated, or free, bilirubin. Then it undergoes glucuronization in the liver, and in the process, conjugated bilirubin is formed, most of which enters the bile. The rest of the conjugated bilirubin is partially reabsorbed into the circulation and excreted by the kidneys as urobilinogen, and partially excreted in the feces as stercobilin and stercobilinogen (Scheme 8).

bile production. During the day, the liver produces about 1 liter of bile, which enters the gallbladder and concentrates in it up to 1/5 of its primary volume. Bile consists of electrolytes, proteins, bilirubin, bile acids and their salts. Bile acids are formed in the liver from cholesterol. In the intestinal contents, with the participation of bacteria, they are converted into secondary bile acids, which are then bound to bile salts. Bile salts emulsify fats and fat-soluble vitamins A, E, and K for subsequent absorption.

Acute liver failure- this is a pathological condition resulting from the action of various etiological factors, in the pathogenesis of which lies hepatocellular necrosis and inflammation with further impairment or loss of the main functions of the liver. Acute liver failure is one of the most severe complications of therapeutic, infectious and surgical diseases, as well as acute poisoning as a component of multiple organ failure syndrome in any critical condition, in particular during exacerbation of chronic liver disease. The survival rate for children under the age of 14 years with acute liver failure is 35%, over 15 years old - 22%, and adults over the age of 45 years - 5%.

Regardless of the cause that caused liver failure, its main manifestations are always the same, since it violates one or more of the following main functions of the liver:

1) protein-synthetic (production of albumins, amino acids, immunoglobulins, blood coagulation factors);

2) metabolism of carbohydrates (glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, glyconeogenesis) and fats (synthesis and oxidation of triglycerides, synthesis of phospholipids, lipoproteins, cholesterol and bile acids);

3) detoxifying (neutralization of ammonia, toxins and medicinal substances);

4) maintaining the acid-base state in the body through lactate metabolism and pigment metabolism (bilirubin synthesis, conjugation and excretion into bile);

5) exchange of biologically active substances (hormones, biogenic amines), vitamins (A, D, E, K) and microelements.

Depending on the time of onset of symptoms, there are:

fulminant form of liver failure(its main symptoms of insufficiency develop at least 4 weeks before its full clinical manifestation);

acute liver failure(it is formed against the background of various diseases of the liver and biliary tract within 1-6 months);

chronic liver failure (develops gradually as a result of acute and chronic liver diseases or hepatic passages for more than 6 months).

Acute liver failure occurs when 75-80% of the liver parenchyma is damaged.

There are three types of acute liver failure:

1) acute hepatocellular (hepatocellular) insufficiency, which is based on dysfunction of hepatocytes and drainage function of the biliary system;

2) acute portocaval (“shunt”) insufficiency resulting from portal hypertension;

3) mixed acute liver failure.

- for the neutralization of substances dangerous to us: toxins, poisons, certain drugs, etc.; — oxidation and synthesis of proteins and carbohydrates; - glycogen stores are stored in the liver (a substance that, in an “emergency” situation, quickly turns into glucose to feed the body); - it participates in the process of digestion, synthesizing the bile necessary for it; - Vitamin A is synthesized here. Alcohol Alcohol is the most important liver poison. The reason is simple: alcohol, in essence, is the same “chemistry” as some kind of dichlorvos (by the way, alcohol in any amount destroys liver cells). It would seem that you can destroy alcohol and live in peace. But no - when alcohol decomposes in the body, the substance acetaldehyde is formed, which is 30 times more toxic than alcohol itself (it is thanks to him that we suffer from a hangover the next morning). Acetaldehyde is destroyed by the liver for a few more days, and all this time it suffers from poisoning. So our metabolism goes through a stump-deck, resistance to infections decreases.

What progress has come to - wherever you look, everywhere is “chemistry”. We receive our doses of poison daily from polluted air, unfiltered water, vegetables and fruits treated with chemicals, even meat and milk contain residues of hormones and antibiotics. And the unfortunate liver works around the clock, disinfecting all this disgrace. It's no wonder that sometimes she can't handle it. The most annoying thing is that even conscious citizens who lead a healthy lifestyle are not immune from this ... Vitamins and trace elements The most "liver" vitamins are C, E and lipoic acid. Vitamin C improves metabolism and protects the liver from toxins. E (it is abundant in vegetable oil and nuts) keeps liver cells from destruction. Lipoic acid (available in pharmacies) improves liver function and reduces exposure to harmful substances. The most important trace elements for the liver are selenium (pistachios, garlic, fish and seafood) and zinc (red meat, fish and eggs). Selenium and zinc reduce the toxicity of drugs and alcohol and prolong cell life. "Enemy" food The liver perceives as poison everything fried, smoked, pork, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, mushrooms and overeating in general. Fasting in order to lose weight is no less harmful, because it leads to the oppression of liver cells and even their death. By the way, the Atkins diet (the so-called “fatty”) is still the same blow to the liver. Losing weight refuse carbohydrates, but eat a lot of protein and fat. And it turns out that they make the liver work like a slave in a galley: they give the hardest work and refuse food.
ide Mother's hated phrase "Wash your hands before eating" has served many of us in good stead. Because simple rules of hygiene protect us from a dangerous viral liver disease - hepatitis. So clean hands, short nails (also clean), boiled water and washed fruits and vegetables keep us from the virus. But all sorts of pies bought on the street, shawarma and other handicrafts - this is best avoided. Save yourself not only from hepatitis, but also a bunch of other contagious ailments. Medications It's no secret that most drugs do not have the best effect on the liver. She regards any "chemistry" as poison and begins to work hard to neutralize it. And some drugs generally inhibit the work of liver cells or even cause their death. The second "necessary evil" coming from doctors is dental treatment and gastric probing. These two interventions sometimes “reward” an innocent patient with the hepatitis virus. Therefore, always ask: are the instruments sterilized? Read the continuation of the series about the internal organs in the next issues.

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One of the most important organs in the human body is the liver.

the importance for our body cannot be overestimated, and in those cases when pronounced pathological changes occur in it, no other organ can replace it. From how clearly and correctly the liver of a person works, his physical condition and even his psycho-emotional state depend. In addition, this organ also plays an important role in the appearance of a person. The human liver per day passes through itself 2 thousand liters of blood, purifying it, it takes part in the breakdown of fats, promotes the production of bile acids, etc. she was healthy, to maintain her efficiency, to take into account all her needs and to avoid conditions harmful to her work. Otherwise, this body may simply fail.

The great importance of the liver is also due to the fact that in the human body it acts as a barrier to all toxic substances that can come from outside. It disinfects toxins, removes harmful substances, the liver is necessary for the proper digestion of food, blood disinfection, etc. An important role is also given to the liver in such processes in the human body as the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Albumin proteins are synthesized in this organ (about 15 g daily), due to which the necessary pressure is maintained inside the body, and the blood transports vital substances. However, albumin is not the only protein necessary for the human body that the liver produces (for example, globulins).

Thus, the liver is also an organ that takes an important part in the processes of metabolism, blood circulation, and digestion. Inextricably linked with the work of the liver and processes such as hormonal, vitamin, protein, fat, carbohydrate, pigment, mineral, water metabolism. This organ is necessary to maintain the internal environment of the human body at a constant, necessary level for it. Protective, neutralizing excretory and enzymatic functions are carried out in the liver.

1. Skin diseases.

2. Allergic diseases.

3. Diseases of blood vessels and joints.

4. Changes in the composition of the blood.

5. Violation of mineral, cholesterol metabolism and much more.

Serious diseases and severe damage to the liver may well lead to tragic consequences. The operation on this organ is very complicated, its transplantation is carried out very rarely (even less often than a heart transplant). In cases of malfunctions in the liver, this will certainly affect the functions of other organs, since everything is interconnected in the human body. The general state of health will certainly worsen, which is why it is necessary to treat the liver with care, treat diseases in time if they occur, engage in prevention, and use means to maintain it in good condition.

Tags: liver, human body

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Hepatitis >> The role of the liver in the human body

Before we continue talking about prevention, diagnosis and medical treatment viral hepatitis, we will discuss most carefully the role of the liver in the human body. This is necessary because the role of the liver is very important, and because the liver is the organ that most often contains viruses, especially the hepatitis virus. In addition, the hepatitis virus is the most dangerous virus for the liver.

The liver is the largest gland in the human body, the mass of the liver is 1.5-2 kg. The liver is located directly below the diaphragm in the upper part of the abdominal cavity, on the right side. In adults, a small portion of the liver is located to the left of the midline of the body. The liver is conditionally divided into two asymmetrical lobes - right and left.

The liver has a lobular structure: the lobules are surrounded by interlobular veins, which are branches of the portal vein, and interlobular arteries-branches. The bile ducts are located between the liver cells. Leaving the lobule, the bile ducts flow into the interlobular ducts, then join into the common hepatic duct, which exits into the duodenum 12.

Utri lobules The endothelium of the hepatic capillaries consists of stellate cells that have the ability to capture foreign and harmful cells and break them down (phagocytosis). hepatitis virus difficult to split like this. The liver differs from other organs in that it simultaneously includes the hepatic artery and portal vein, that is, in addition to arterial blood, the liver also receives venous blood. This explains the fact that the liver is most often exposed to the "invasion" of hepatitis viruses. The arteries enter other organs, bringing in fresh, “clean” blood, and the veins leave them, carrying away the spent, “dirty” blood. Entering the gates of the liver (the common entrance of the arteries, ducts and branches), the portal vein, which carries blood from the unpaired organs of the abdominal cavity, branches into the thinnest branches located between the lobules. In the substance of the liver, capillary networks are obtained from arteries and veins, from which blood is collected in the central vein, which flows into the vena cava, which goes to the right atrium. Therefore, sometimes a patient with hepatitis has heart pain. Also hepatitis often affects to the lungs and brain.

Lymphatic vessels go between the lobules, then flow into the plexus of the lymphatic vessels that accompany the branches of the portal vein. About half of the entire body lymph is excreted from the liver. Hence, with hepatitis, lymph suffers.

After analyzing the structure of the liver, it is clear why it often becomes the first target of hepatitis. Although in some cases hepatitis strikes other organs.

The liver is both an organ of digestion, circulation and metabolism of all kinds, including hormonal. It performs over 70 functions. Here are the main features:

Digestive function

The liver produces bile, which enters the duodenum. Bile is involved in intestinal digestion, helps to neutralize the acidic slurry coming from the stomach, breaks down fats and promotes their absorption, and has a stimulating effect on the peristalsis of the large intestine. During the day, the liver secretes up to 1-1.5 liters of bile. With hepatitis, no more bile is secreted than in the absence of hepatitis.

barrier function

The mucous membrane of the hepatic vessels and special cells absorb and break down toxic substances that come with the blood and lymph. Many scientists call the liver a "graveyard for corpses." Dead microbes, bacteria, viruses, protozoa (giardia, chlamydia, gonococci, gardnerella, oiistorchi, Trichomonas), worms - ascaris, echinococcus enter the liver with blood and lymph; tissue cells and blood cells, including dead hepatitis viruses. Up to 200 billion dead red blood cells pass through the liver every day. The liver must also neutralize living microorganisms: viruses, worms, protozoa that come with blood, prevent their reproduction and settling in other vital organs: lungs, brain, heart, eyes, etc. Therefore, if hepatitis immediately affects the liver , it does not immediately cause complications on other organs. But over time, hepatitis affects all organs of the body.

Chronic, long-term illnesses, especially chronic hepatitis, “deliver” to the liver not only a huge amount of “corpses”, but also harmful chemical compounds of medicines: salicplats, antibiotics, nicotinic acid, sulfonamides, contraceptives (contraceptives), progestins, estrogens that destroy the liver. In this case, she is not able to overcome such a number of harmful compounds, microorganisms, "corpses", and they again enter the bloodstream, spreading throughout the body and poisoning it. This process is called "self-poisoning". Self-poisoning in hepatitis is especially detrimental to the body.

Protective function in the pathology of digestion and absorption of proteins

Insufficient digestion and assimilation of protein products in the small intestine leads to increased bacterial breakdown (rotting) of protein, peptides and amino acids in the large intestine. As a result, poisonous decay products are formed. With a normally functioning liver and a small amount of these poisons, the liver completely neutralizes them, and with an excess, it does not have time to neutralize them, they enter the bloodstream, causing a general poisoning of the body, including the liver.

For example, the following decay products enter the blood:
phenol, mercaptan, thioether, which lead to the development of intestinal autointoxication, manifested in the following symptoms: dizziness, weakness, minor abdominal pain, insomnia, recurrent headaches, "fatigue syndrome", apathy, depression;
indole, which increases the above symptoms with manifestations of sepsis, subfebrile temperature, diarrhea;
indican negatively affects the state of the stomach (gastritis with low acidity develops), the pancreas (its enzymatic ability decreases), leads to an even greater formation of such poisons as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, phenol, cresol, skatole, which, in turn, poison the liver and other organs. As a result, more formidable diseases develop: glomerulonephritis, nephropathy - up to wrinkling of the kidneys, uremia (impaired urine formation), diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and biliary tract, inflammation of the peritoneum, purulent processes in the tissues. In addition, immunity is sharply reduced, and the risk of oncological and immunodeficiency diseases increases.

Participation in blood circulation

In the reticuloendothelial cells of the liver, oxidative cleavage of hemoglobin and other blood cells occurs, resulting in the formation of biliverdin, and then, by combining it with acid, bilirubin. Bilirubin is excreted in the bile and excreted by the intestines. With the weakening of the functions of the biliary tract (dyskinesia), the passage of bile slows down, bilirubin precipitates in the ducts of the liver, gall bladder, cystic duct, intestines, where bilirubin, rather large (up to the size of a walnut), green stones are gradually formed. Sometimes they stick together with cholesterol - yellow-green conglomerates are obtained. The bilirubin excretory function of the liver is gradually disrupted, which is also facilitated by infections, toxic substances (alcohol, drugs, antibiotics), increased destruction of red blood cells, suppression of the vital activity of the intestinal microflora, loss of the enzyme link that provides the biosynthesis of glucuronide (a substance that oxidizes bilirubin). The content of bilirubin in the blood increases, decomposed erythrocytes settle in the cells of the liver and other organs, and the mitotic activity of hepatocytes (protective cells) decreases by 25-75 times. The pancreas and thyroid glands suffer secondarily (their function decreases).

Most dangerous for the liver virus - hepatitis. People living in countries with an increased risk of hepatitis should be tested more often for the presence of the hepatitis virus. Today among the CIS countries hepatitis is the most common in the countries of Central Asia. Among European countries, hepatitis is common in Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Romania. In Russia, insufficient funds are allocated for the fight against hepatitis, at the same time hepatitis continues to spread. Hepatitis is least common in northern Europe and Canada. The global focus of hepatitis is central and southern Africa. Therefore, in order to slow down hepatitis epidemics other countries should tackle hepatitis not only in their own countries, but also in hepatitis hotspots such as Africa and South Asia. In countries such as Congo, Zambia, etc. hepatitis is spreading mostly in rural areas. In Russia, hepatitis spreads in cities, so if you live in a city, you should wash your hands more often as a preventive measure against hepatitis.

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The value of the liver for the body

The liver is rightly called the "factory of life". This multifunctional organ is considered both the “main filter of the body” and its “main chemical laboratory”, in which the most important chemical processes take place. The liver is like a multifunctional computer that is simultaneously responsible for metabolism, digestion and blood circulation. Just think, this organ performs more than 500 functions, and every second, 400 trillion processes take place in it. chemical reactions!

The liver is the body's main "filter"

Most of us know that the most important function of the liver is to cleanse the body of harmful substances that come with the air, with food, or are formed in the body itself. In addition, the liver neutralizes viruses and bacteria that enter the body, preventing them from settling on vital organs. At the same time, the liver works not only during the day, but also at night, removing fatigue toxins from the body, and returning the much-needed morning vigor to a person. If this body ceases to cope with its duties, a person will wake up lethargic and tired.

The liver is the "accumulator" of digestion

During the day, the liver produces approximately 1 liter of bile, which enters the gallbladder - a special reservoir for storing this essential substance. 90% of bile enters the intestines, where it takes an active part in the breakdown and absorption of fats (without bile, fats are simply not absorbed), as well as in the absorption of calcium salts. In addition, the liver stimulates intestinal motility, and also eliminates the processes of fermentation and putrefaction in this organ. Doctors around the world agree that cleansing the liver is the most important condition for the prevention and treatment of dysbacteriosis.

The liver is the "protector" of the cardiovascular system

We have already mentioned that not all bile is spent on the breakdown of food that enters the body. Approximately 10% of this substance enters the blood, where it mixes with it. By diluting the blood to the desired consistency, bile promotes its passage through small blood tracts and capillaries, which means that it can be argued that the liver helps the circulatory system work.

Interaction between the liver and cholesterol

In terms of the interaction of the liver with the cardiovascular system, the influence of this organ on the synthesis of cholesterol, and hence on the development of atherosclerosis, is extremely interesting. According to the inhabitants, it is cholesterol that is considered the culprit in the development of atherosclerosis, which threatens a person with death from a stroke or heart attack. In fact, everything is not so simple. Cholesterol is a valuable organic compound that performs 2 important functions in the body: it is an integral part of cell membranes, and it also becomes a material for the synthesis of hormones, bile acids and vitamin D3 necessary for the body.

It is important to understand here that the level of cholesterol in the blood is regulated in the process of the renal-intestinal cycle. It happens this way: after the breakdown of fats and participation in other necessary processes in the duodenum, part of the bile enters the rectum, and part returns to the liver. If this cycle occurs with the participation of a healthy liver, excess cholesterol leaves the body without settling on the vascular walls. When the liver is sick and does not work at full capacity, the outflow of bile decreases, and excess cholesterol does not find a better place for itself than the blood vessels. This becomes a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis.

By the way, a healthy liver also performs a self-cleansing function, thanks to the same bile, which, leaving the body, takes with it harmful decay products, which means toxic and other dangerous substances.

The liver is the "keeper" of a slender figure

They say that a thin person does not have a liver, but a "furnace" in which all excess is burned. This is partly true. Enzymes that are produced by liver cells support metabolic processes in the body, thanks to which the human figure remains slim. However, against the background of pregnancy and childbirth, stress and other factors, hormonal failure occurs in the body, which can negatively affect the production of enzymes and provoke obesity. That is why, in most cases, it is useless to fight excess weight without adjusting the hormonal background, and without putting the liver in order.

The liver is a "cleaner" of the skin

It is no secret that human skin performs not only a protective function, but is also a thermoregulator, helps breathing and promotes metabolic processes in the body. Based on this, any problems inside the body are immediately reflected on the skin. At the same time, every doctor knows that the treatment of psoriasis, acne, eczema or neurodermatitis is impossible without restoring liver function. By the way, early wrinkles are also a “hello” from a diseased liver!

The liver is a hormonal "regulator"

Many will be surprised, but it is the liver that regulates the level of hormones in the body. This body produces part of the hormones and at the same time eliminates the excess of these biologically active substances, preventing hormonal imbalance. If the liver gets sick, it becomes the cause of hormonal failure, which can lead to a host of hormonal diseases, and even to the development of tumors. It has been proven that the development of mastopathy is based on malfunctions in the liver.

The liver is a "target" for harmful medicinal components

According to doctors, in 30% of cases, liver problems occur due to side effects of drugs. Moreover, these figures are increasing year by year. It is especially difficult for the liver of a person who simultaneously takes several drugs at once. The most dangerous for this body are antibiotics and steroids, cytostatics and hormonal drugs. That is why, when purchasing a medication, it is worth choosing the one that says “not metabolized by the liver” or there is a mark “completely excreted from the body”. By the way, a woman has a much higher risk of liver problems due to drugs, because. in the female body, much less enzymes are produced that break down toxins.

Alcohol is the worst enemy of the liver

The most common cause of liver damage is the abuse of alcoholic beverages. And do not think that only strong alcohol affects the liver. This organ is equally affected by both a glass of vodka and a mug of beer, and therefore it should not be surprising that after 10-15 years of regular consumption of alcoholic beverages, a person develops cirrhosis of the liver or hepatitis. At the same time, there are very few people whose body perceives alcohol as a poison. For the most part, a person is perfectly tolerant of alcohol, thereby dealing a devastating blow to liver health.

Symptoms of liver disease

In order to consult a doctor in a timely manner and eliminate existing problems with the liver, each person should know the main signs of diseases of this organ.

So, attention should be paid to the pain on the right side, which can be aching, with a feeling of heaviness, indicating a slowdown in the outflow of bile and swelling of this organ, or acute and paroxysmal, aggravated after eating fatty foods and hinting at the development of dyskinesia. These sensations are complemented by a "metallic" taste or bitterness in the mouth in the morning. In addition, there may be slight nausea, disturbing in the morning. If nausea worsens after eating fatty foods, there is every reason to assume bile stasis.

The digestive system signals a liver disease with increased gas and belching, pain in the abdomen after eating and problems with stools, bad breath, and a yellowish coating on the tongue.

If a person with a diseased liver looks at himself in the mirror, he will be able to note a dull, yellowish, and even earthy skin color (in advanced cases it becomes greenish). In addition, white wen may appear on his face, indicating an increased level of cholesterol, which means indirectly confirming problems with the liver. Yellow bags under the eyes, dry lips and poorly healing wounds in the corners of the lips should also alert. Brown spots in the temporal region are another indication of a clogged liver.

If the skin does not give cause for concern, liver problems can be determined by the eyes, namely by the yellowness of the sclera, which should be white in the normal state. Take a look at the hair too. In persons with liver disease, they are dry and brittle, and the scalp is constantly itchy and flaky. By the way, a diseased liver gives out itching, namely itching on the back of the palms, as well as on the wrists.

Don't ignore your waist as well. Puffiness in this area, for example, an uncharacteristically protruding belly, may indicate that the liver is not working properly and it urgently needs cleansing.

Treatment and cleansing of the liver

Having identified problems with the liver, you should immediately tell your doctor about them. Only a specialist has the right to prescribe the treatment of this organ, but self-treatment can lead to unpredictable consequences. The same applies to cleaning procedures.

Warning. There are many ways to cleanse the liver described on the Internet, however, most of them are not only ineffective, but also very dangerous for the body. Therefore, in order not to harm yourself, all liver cleansing procedures must be coordinated with your doctor!

In this article, we will describe how to cleanse the liver with milk thistle (thistle), as the most valuable, and at the same time the safest plant in terms of cleansing this most important organ.

Method number 1

Components:

• thistle seeds (100 g);
• milk thistle oil (70 g).

After grinding the seeds, and then filling the powder with oil, the product must be mixed. Taking such a cleansing suspension, 1 tsp. one r / day for a period determined by the doctor (usually 10 to 30 days), you will cleanse your liver and help this organ work at full capacity.

Method number 2

Components:

• milk thistle oil (70 g);
• milk thistle seeds (100 g);
• burdock root (5–10 g);
• dill (5–10 g).

This recipe repeats the previous one, with the only difference being that for ground thistle seeds, i.e. milk thistle, you need to add not only oil, but burdock root with dill. It is also necessary to take the composition in 1 tsp. 3 r / day, and the duration of the cleansing process should be determined by the doctor.

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What is the liver responsible for?

Liver- This is the most important organ of the human body, which weighs about 2 kg in an adult and is located in the abdominal cavity under the diaphragm. It works around the clock and performs many different physiological functions. Let's list the main ones.

1. The liver removes everything superfluous from the body: an excess of hormones, vitamins, harmful nitrogenous compounds formed as a result of metabolism, toxins coming from outside. The liver is the main filter, which, like a sponge, passes through itself and breaks down heavy metals, preservatives, pesticides into safe substances. After that, they are already easily excreted from the body.

The liver produces the substances needed by the body, one of which is bile. During the day, liver cells produce up to one and a half liters of bile, it is necessary for the absorption of fats. If this production were to stop, the digestion of food would become impossible. The liver also synthesizes blood plasma proteins, which are responsible for its normal coagulation. With normal blood clotting, healing of wounds and scratches occurs much faster. The role of the liver is also great in that it is directly involved in the processing of vitamins, helping them to perform their functions. The liver also plays an important role in the processing and storage of minerals such as copper, cobalt, and iron.

2. The liver is one of the reservoir organs in which a blood depot is created. This supply of blood is isolated from the main circulation. But in the event of a large loss of blood, it is quickly thrown into the vessels.

The liver is our "accumulator". It can control the level of glucose in the blood, which is the source of energy for our body. The liver converts excess glucose into glycogen and stores it. If we skip meals or work out in the gym, our blood glucose levels drop below normal. In this case, the liver converts glycogen into glucose and feeds the body with it. In the same way, she stores for us excess vitamins A, D, E, K, B6, B12.

Due to the absence of sensory nerves in the liver, even with large overloads, including overeating, alcohol drinking, smoking and other negative factors, the liver copes with its work without tangible signs of illness. However, her filters are not able to cope with the large flow of toxins and the liver needs our help. To help keep our liver healthy and recover from such overloads, proper nutrition, a reasonable attitude to taking medications, and timely taking of drugs to protect the liver will help.

You can live without a spleen, gallbladder, without one kidney, with a partially removed stomach. But it is impossible to live without the liver - it performs too many important functions.

The liver can perform many different functions.

In our body, this organ is involved in the processes of digestion, circulation and metabolism of all kinds of substances (including hormones). To cope with so many tasks of the liver helps its structure. This is our largest organ, its mass is from 3 to 5% of body weight. The bulk of an organ is made up of cells. hepatocytes. This name often comes up when it comes to the functions and diseases of the liver, so let's remember it. Hepatocytes are specially adapted for the synthesis, transformation and storage of many different substances that come from the blood - and in most cases return there too. All our blood flows through the liver; it fills numerous hepatic vessels and special cavities, and hepatocytes are located around them in a continuous thin layer. This structure facilitates the exchange of substances between liver cells and blood.

The liver is a depot of blood

There is a lot of blood in the liver, but not all of it is “flowing”. Quite a significant amount of it is in reserve. With a large loss of blood, the vessels of the liver contract and push their reserves into the general bloodstream, saving a person from shock.

The liver secretes bile

The secretion of bile is one of the most important digestive functions of the liver. From the liver cells, bile enters the bile capillaries, which are combined into a duct that flows into the duodenum. Bile, together with digestive enzymes, breaks down fat into components and facilitates its absorption in the intestines.

The liver synthesizes and breaks down fats

Liver cells synthesize certain fatty acids and their derivatives needed by the body. True, among these compounds there are those that many consider harmful - these are low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and cholesterol, the excess of which forms atherosclerotic plaques in the vessels. But do not rush to scold the liver: we cannot do without these substances. Cholesterol is an indispensable component of the membranes of erythrocytes (red blood cells), and it is LDL that delivers it to the place of formation of erythrocytes.

If there is too much cholesterol, red blood cells lose their elasticity and can hardly squeeze through thin capillaries. People think they have circulatory problems and their liver is out of order.

A healthy liver prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, its cells extract excess LDL, cholesterol and other fats from the blood and destroy them.

The liver synthesizes plasma proteins

Almost half of the protein that our body synthesizes per day is formed in the liver. The most important among them are blood plasma proteins, primarily albumin. It accounts for 50% of all proteins created by the liver.

There must be a certain concentration of proteins in the blood plasma, and it is albumin that maintains it. In addition, it binds and transports many substances: hormones, fatty acids, trace elements.

In addition to albumin, hepatocytes synthesize blood clotting proteins that prevent the formation of blood clots, as well as many others. As proteins age, they are broken down in the liver.

Urea is formed in the liver

Proteins in our intestines are broken down into amino acids. Some of them find use in the body, and the rest must be removed, because the body cannot store them.

The breakdown of unnecessary amino acids occurs in the liver, with the formation of toxic ammonia. But the liver does not allow the body to be poisoned and immediately converts ammonia into soluble urea, which is then excreted in the urine.

The liver converts unnecessary amino acids into necessary ones.

It happens that some amino acids are lacking in the human diet. Some of them are synthesized by the liver using fragments of other amino acids. However, the liver cannot make some amino acids, they are called essential and a person receives them only with food.

The liver converts glucose to glycogen and glycogen to glucose

There should be a constant concentration of glucose (in other words, sugar) in the blood serum. It serves as the main source of energy for brain cells, muscle cells and red blood cells. The surest way to ensure a constant supply of glucose to cells is to store it after meals, and then use it as needed. This important task is entrusted to the liver.

Glucose is soluble in water, and it is inconvenient to store it. Therefore, the liver catches excess glucose molecules from the blood and converts glycogen into an insoluble polysaccharide, which is deposited in the form of granules in the liver cells, and, if necessary, is again converted into glucose and enters the blood. The stock of glycogen in the liver is enough for 12-18 hours.

The liver stores vitamins and minerals

The liver stores fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, as well as water-soluble vitamins C, B 12, nicotinic and folic acids.

It also stores minerals that the body needs in very small amounts, such as copper, zinc, cobalt, and molybdenum.

Liver destroys old red blood cells

In the human fetus, erythrocytes (red blood cells that carry oxygen) are produced in the liver. Gradually, bone marrow cells take over this function, and the liver begins to play the exact opposite role - it does not create red blood cells, but destroys them.

Red blood cells live for about 120 days, and then they age and must be removed from the body. The liver has special cells that trap and destroy old red blood cells. At the same time, hemoglobin is released, which the body does not need outside of red blood cells. Hepatocytes disassemble hemoglobin into "spare parts": amino acids, iron and green pigment.

The liver stores iron until it is needed for the formation of new red blood cells in the bone marrow, and the green pigment turns into yellow - bilirubin.

Bilirubin enters the intestine along with bile, which turns yellow.

If the liver is diseased, bilirubin accumulates in the blood and stains the skin - this is jaundice.

The liver regulates the level of certain hormones and active substances.

In this organ, an excess of hormones is converted into an inactive form or destroyed. Their list is quite long, so here we will only mention insulin and glucagon, which are involved in the conversion of glucose to glycogen, and the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen. In chronic liver diseases, the metabolism of testosterone and estrogen is disturbed, and the patient develops spider veins, hair falls out under the arms and on the pubis, and testicles atrophy in men.

The liver removes excess active substances such as adrenaline and bradykinin. The first of them increases the heart rate, reduces the outflow of blood to the internal organs, directing it to the skeletal muscles, stimulates the breakdown of glycogen and an increase in the level of glucose in the blood, and the second regulates the water and salt balance of the body, smooth muscle contractions and capillary permeability, and also performs some other features. It would be bad for us with an excess of bradykinin and adrenaline.

The liver destroys microbes

In the liver there are special macrophage cells that are located along the blood vessels and catch bacteria from there. Captured microorganisms are swallowed and destroyed by these cells.

Liver neutralizes poisons

As we have already understood, the liver is a decisive opponent of everything superfluous in the body, and of course it will not tolerate poisons and carcinogens in it. Neutralization of poisons occurs in hepatocytes. After complex biochemical transformations, toxins are converted into harmless, water-soluble substances that leave our body with urine or bile.

Unfortunately, not all substances can be neutralized. For example, the breakdown of paracetamol produces a potent substance that can permanently damage the liver. If the liver is unhealthy, or the patient has taken too much paracetamol, the consequences can be dire, up to the death of liver cells.

You need to know that with a diseased liver, it can be difficult to find medicines, because the body reacts to them in a completely different way. So, if you want to be treated effectively, not have problems with digestion, metabolism, blood circulation, hormonal status, and not fall down from every microbe that has entered the bloodstream, take care of your liver.

The liver is a unique organ in the human body. This is primarily due to its versatility, because it is capable of performing about 500 different functions. The liver is the largest organ in the human digestive system. But the main feature is the ability to regenerate. This is one of the few organ that can renew itself under favorable conditions. The liver is extremely important for the human body, but what are its main functions, what is its structure and where is it located in the human body?

Location and functions of the liver

The liver is an organ of the digestive system, which is located in the right hypochondrium under the diaphragm and normally does not extend beyond the ribs. Only in childhood, it can act a little, but such a phenomenon up to 7 years is considered the norm. Weight depends on the age of the person. So, in an adult, it is 1500-1700 g. A change in the size or weight of an organ indicates the development of pathological processes in the body.

As already mentioned, the liver performs many functions, the main of which are:

• Detoxification. The liver is the main cleansing organ of the human body. All products of metabolism, decay, toxins, poisons and other substances from the gastrointestinal tract enter the liver, where the organ “neutralizes” them. After detoxification, the body removes harmless decay products with blood or bile, from where they enter the intestines and are excreted along with feces.
• The production of good cholesterol, which is involved in the synthesis of bile, regulates hormonal levels and is involved in the formation of cell membranes.
• Acceleration of the synthesis of proteins, which are extremely important for normal human life.
• Synthesis of bile, which takes part in the process of digestion of food and fat metabolism.
• Normalization of carbohydrate metabolism in the body, increase in energy potential. First of all, the liver provides the production of glycogen and glucose.
• Regulation of pigment metabolism - excretion of bilirubin from the body along with bile.
• The breakdown of fats into ketone bodies and fatty acids.

The liver is capable of regeneration. The organ can fully recover, even if only 25% of it is preserved. Regeneration occurs through growth and faster cell division. Moreover, this process stops as soon as the organ reaches the desired size.

Anatomical structure of the liver

The liver is a complex organ in structure, which includes the surface of the organ, segments and lobes of the liver.

surface of the liver. There are diaphragmatic (upper) and visceral (lower). The first is located directly below the diaphragm, while the second is located below and is in contact with most of the internal organs.

Lobes of the liver. The organ has two lobes - left and right. They are separated by a falciform ligament. The first part is smaller. Each lobe has a large central vein that divides into sinusoidal capillaries. Each part contains liver cells called hepatocytes. The organ is also divided into 8 elements.

In addition, the liver includes blood vessels, grooves and plexuses:

• Arteries transport oxygenated blood to the liver from the celiac trunk.
• Veins create an outflow of blood from the body.
• Lymph nodes remove lymph from the liver.
• Nerve plexuses provide innervation to the liver.
• The bile ducts help remove bile from the body.

Liver disease

There are many liver diseases that can occur as a result of chemical, physical or mechanical effects, as a result of the development of other diseases or due to structural changes in the organ. In addition, diseases differ depending on the affected part. These can be liver lobules, blood vessels, bile ducts, etc.

The most common diseases include:

Any pathological processes in the liver are manifested, as a rule, by the same signs. Most often, this is pain in the right hypochondrium, which is aggravated by physical exertion, the appearance of nausea and vomiting, impaired stool - or constipation, discoloration of urine and feces.

Often there is an increase in the size of the organ, a deterioration in general well-being, the appearance of headaches, a decrease in visual acuity and the appearance of yellowness of the sclera. For each individual disease, specific symptoms are also characteristic, which help to accurately establish the diagnosis and choose the most effective treatment.

Treatment of diseases

Before proceeding with the treatment of liver diseases, it is important to accurately establish the nature of the disease. To do this, you should contact a specialist - a gastroenterologist, who will conduct a thorough examination and, if necessary, prescribe diagnostic procedures:

Treatment of diseases depends on many factors: the causes of the disease, the main symptoms, the general state of human health and the presence of concomitant ailments. Choleretic drugs and hepaprotectors are often used. Diet plays an important role in the treatment of liver diseases - this will help reduce the load on the organ and improve its functioning.

Prevention of liver diseases

What preventive measures should be taken to prevent the development of liver diseases

Compliance with the principles of proper nutrition. First of all, you should review your diet and exclude from the menu products that negatively affect the health and functioning of the liver. First of all, it is fatty, fried, smoked, pickled; white bread and sweet pastries. Enrich your diet with fruits, vegetables, cereals, seafood and lean meats.

Complete renunciation of the use of alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks. They adversely affect the body and provoke the development of many diseases.

Normalization of body weight. Excess weight complicates the work of the liver and can lead to its obesity.

Justified intake of medications. Many drugs have a negative effect on the liver and to reduce the risk of developing diseases. Especially dangerous are antibiotics and the combination of several drugs at the same time without the consent of the doctor.

The liver performs many functions and supports the normal functioning of the body, so it is extremely important to monitor the health of the organ and prevent the development of ailments.