Liver

The liver forms part of the digestive system and weighs about 3 lb. It lies on the right side of the abdominal cavity and is reddish brown in color.

Blood is carried to the liver through the hepatic artery and the portal vein. The hepatic artery carries blood rich in oxygen to the liver and the portal vein carries blood containing digested food from the small intestine.

What are the Functions of the Liver?

The liver is a very important organ and performs different tasks. It is the only organ that can regenerate itself if part of it becomes diseased or is removed through surgery. However, it cannot withstand long periods of abuse such as taking alcohol or substances that are toxic or harmful. Some of its functions include:

• Bile Production – It produces bile which is necessary for the digestion process,
• Nutrient Processing – After food is digested and broken down into smaller molecules in the small intestine, the products are transferred to the liver for further processing. It is here that they are made into products that are easily used by the body,
• Body detoxifier – Toxins are broken down into less toxic substances in the liver. These may include alcohol, ammonia, and mineral supplements,
• Produce glucose – Even though it is able to receive glucose from the small intestines, it can also break down stored glycogen into glucose when you need it,
• Nutrient storage - It stores iron, vitamin B12 and copper, and
• Make fats – The liver is able to make cholesterol and other fats when your body needs them. The fats can also be stored in the liver.

In order to maintain a healthy digestive system, it is important to keep a healthy liver.

Conditions that can affect the Liver

The liver is a very sensitive organ and can suffer from the following conditions:

• Hepatitis A – this is caused by the hepatitis virus and can cause the affected person to feel unwell, lose appetite, and develop nausea and fatigue. It is normally spread through food contaminated by the hepatitis A virus
• Hepatitis B - this is caused by the hepatitis B virus that multiplies in the liver. The body then tries to get rid of the cells that have been infected which causes even more damage to the liver,
• Hepatitis C – Caused by the hepatitis C virus and mainly spread through contact with contaminated blood ,
• Fatty Liver disease – this is diagnosed when fat in the liver cells represents more than 10% of the liver cells,
• Haemochromatosis,
• Cirrhosis – mainly caused by excessive alcohol intake, and
• Liver cancer

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