I love you with all my liver

Knowledge
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Studying the liver in my college nutrition class. The information I am learning is so incredible I had to share! The most important part that struck home to me was that the liver treats alcohol the same as it does with any other poison… it protects the rest of our body by taking the damage! Please protect your liver folks… it is CRUCIAL to our survival! Not only does the liver do all of the following functions… it is also responsible for carrying all of our nutrients to our heart to be circulated throughout our body. My favorite part of this text is that it clearly states the liver “detoxifies” alcohol. Meaning alcohol is TOXIC. LET’S RENEW OUR APPRECIATION FOR THIS INCREDIBLY VITAL ORGAN!!

The following information citing: Rolfes, Whitney. (2016). Understanding Nutrition. 14th Edition. P203

An enthusiastic anatomy and physiology professor once remarked that given the many vital activities of the liver, we should express our feelings to others by saying, “I love you with all my liver” instead of “with all my heart.” Granted, this declaration lacks romance, but it makes a valid point. Here are just some of the many jobs performed by the liver.

Metabolic Work of the Liver

CARBOHYDRATES:

  • Metabolizes fructose, galactose, and glucose
  • Makes and stores glycogen
  • Breaks down glycogen and releases glucose
  • Breaks down glucose for energy when needed
  • Makes glucose from some amino acids and glycerol when needed
  • Converts excess glucose and fructose to fatty acids

Lipids (fats):

  • Builds and breaks down triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesterol as needed
  • Breaks down fatty acids for energy when needed
  • Packages lipids in lipoproteins for transport to other body tissues
  • Manufactures bile to send to the gallbladder for use in fat digestion
  • Makes ketone bodies when necessary

Proteins:

  • Manufactures nonessential amino acids that are in short supply
  • Removes from circulation amino acids that are present in excess of need and converts them to other amino acids or deaminates them and converts them to glucose or fatty acids
  • Removes ammonia from the blood and converts it to urea to be sent to the kidneys for excretion
  • Makes other nitrogen-containing compounds the body needs (such as bases used in DNA and RNA)
  • Makes many proteins

Other:

  • Detoxifies alcohol, other drugs, and poisons; prepares waste products for excretion
  • Helps dismantle old red blood cells and captures the iron for recycling
  • Stores most vitamins and many minerals
  • Activates vitamin D
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Thanks for posting. There are many reasons I quit, but protecting my liver from further damage (aka not dying) was at the top of my list. I’m doing everything I should be doing. Sober 34 days. Taking supplements to aid in the repair. I just need to get more exercise, but give me more time as no one’s perfect!

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@alpine_1975 I too, need to get more exercise. One change at a time! Learning all of these things about the liver has really opened my eyes and gives me inspiration.

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I have been talking my vitamins, drinking herb tea eating very well and even exercise for the last few months. My liver is messed from my past but I am doing what I can for my present and future💪

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Oh wow, my poor liver. I am so sorry.

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Well the amazing part about the liver is that it is, for the most part, regenerative! :slight_smile: I have had a lot of anxiety in the past about what the drinking was doing to my body, to the point of phantom pains. Learning about this stuff is really giving me perspective and determination. Proud of you @Gibb, you’re rocking this!

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My liver health was number one for me. I watched how my mother’s body shut down because her liver couldn’t do what it was supposed to do. She could hardly focus on a conversation because of all the toxins not being cleaned by the liver. She was angry and bitter too. That and the failure of her heart and kidneys because they had to deal with what the liver couldn’t. It isn’t worth it. If we love our life we must love our liver.

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