What Does The Liver Do And Why Is It So Important?

The liver is the largest solid and probably hardest working organ in the human body. It has to process everything we take in and either modifies it for our bodies to use or eliminates it. It performs over 500 functions and receives about 30% (1.5 litres) of blood circulating in your system every minute. With this blood it destroys old red and white blood cells and is constantly removing bacteria. Overall the liver is involved in three vital functions: cleansing, synthesis and storage.

The liver neutralizes the drugs we absorb after they have taken effect to prevent dangerous accumulation. Many of us take in various toxins and it’s the livers job to process them, make them harmless then eliminate them. It also removes steroid and thyroid hormones, and estrogen. Therefore, it should be of the upmost importance to bodybuilders who take drugs that can increase each of those hormones.

Bodybuilders are often very concerned with their estrogen levels. Whilst some estrogen is needed for optimal health, too much is a very bad thing. High estrogen can result in higher fat levels, lower libido and increased risk of heart attack, stroke and prostate disease. Removing excess estrogen is done mainly in the liver. If the liver is being stressed the removal of estrogen may be negatively effected. This diminished liver function will result in increased activity of estrogen in the body.

The liver is involved in making blood proteins, lipoproteins, clotting proteins and 80% of our cholesterol. It also metabolizes proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. It is also involved in the creation and secretion of bile that is stored in the gall bladder. Through the creation of this bile, the liver makes it possible for dietary fat to be absorbed. The liver stores glycogen and fat soluble vitamins (A,D, E and K). As a result it is storing reserves of energy incase we ever need them.

The liver has the incredible capability of regenerating itself. Therefore if a person donates part of their liver it will regenerate back to most of it’s original size over time. Haga J et al. (2008) showed donors liver volume increased to 68.9% at 1 month and to 89.8% after 6 months. The recipients liver volume increased rapidly to above the original size after 2 months, and then gradually decreased to 90% of the standard liver volume. This regenerating knowledge is sadly some people’s reasoning behide not looking after their liver. Anyone concerned about overall health and results in the gym should be paying close attention to their liver health.

References

1. Haga J, Shimazu M, Wakabayashi G, Tanabe M, Kawachi S, Fuchimoto Y,
Hoshino K, Morikawa Y, Kitajima M, Kitagawa Y (2008) Liver regeneration in
donors and adult recipients after living donor liver transplantation.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19025926
http://liver.ca/liver-health/liver-facts.aspx