Liver Health: Functions Of Liver, Diseases Affecting Liver And Habits That Damages Liver

Liver Health: Functions Of Liver, Diseases Affecting Liver And Habits That Damages Liver.

What is liver?

Liver is a gland brick red in colour situated in the right side of the the abdomen which store glucose as glycogen and later metabolised it when needed. 

The functions of the liver includes:

Detoxification of poisonous substances like drugs

Production of heat

Production of red blood cells in early life

Served as Iron and vitamins storage

Conversion of fats to glycogen

Conversion of glycogen to glucose

Conversion of amino acid in to carbohydrate

Production of protein

Manufactures of bile

Regulation of blood glucose levels by converting glucose to glycogen

Aid in digestion.

Diseases affecting liver

Hepatitis: is the inflammation of liver cells mainly caused by viruses, drugs and alcohol.

Cirrhosis of the liver: hardening of the liver tissues caused by toxic substances, dietary deficiency, microbes and virus.

Liver cancer: tumors of the liver which can either be benign or malignant tumor.

Habits that damages liver

Metabolism is not the only function of liver but also plays an important role in blood detoxification, synthesis of blood clotting factors, immunity and store essential nutrients such as glycogen and vitamins etc.

The following common habits can negatively affect the liver health:

1. Cigarettes Smoking

According to a study conducted in 2011, more than fifty percent of liver cancer cases were induced by cigarettes smoking.

Cigarettes contains toxic chemicals that promote the production of cytokines, which are poisonous substances that lead to liver inflammation and even permanent dysfunction of liver cells. Cigarettes smoking also produce carcinogens that have oncogenic potential to liver leading to hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).

Serum and hepatic iron levels are abnormally raised by smoking which induces oxidative stress, causing fibrosis in the liver tissue. Cigarettes smoking is also a major risk factor for the onset of non-alcoholic fatty disease and is known to worsen the condition of patients already suffering from a fatty liver disease.

2. Excessive consumption of alcohol

Heavy alcohol drinking can be defined as consuming more than fifteen drinks per week for men, or more than eight drinks per week for women.

It is not a surprise that people who consume alcohol have a much greater risk of developing liver failure, cirrhosis, jaundice and many other problems.

Chronic alcoholic drinks is the leading cause of liver cirrhosis which is characterized by fibrosis of the liver tissue. This happen when liver cells or hepatocytes are damaged ultimately fail to function. Moreover, alcohol liver diseases leads to complications such as fat build up (steatosis), hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and can even be fatal in case of multiple organs failure.

3. Excessive drugs intake

Normally, the liver metabolizes drugs by the action of hepatic enzymes which convert the fat soluble drugs in to water soluble form to be excreted in the urine. Accumulation of drugs in the liver tissue due to overdose or overcosumption of drugs can lead to cumulative liver damage and change in hepatic enzymes levels.

Unnecessary taking of oral medication like painkillers, supplement or medical herb can lead to long- term liver damage known as Drug- induced liver injury.

Taking unnecessary anabolic steroids, Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) and painkillers has been linked to the development of drug-induced hepatitis. Therefore, it is important to take drugs exactly as prescribed by a registered medical practitioner.

4. Sleep Deprivation

Lack of restorative sleep can lead to hormonal imbalances, which ultimately alters liver metabolism. This may affect the liver's fat and glucose metabolism thereby increasing the risk of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease) and diabetes mellitus.

Several researchers reveal a link between excess pressure on the liver and lack of sleep. Furthermore, biologist have found that sleep deprived persons are at a high risk of cell injury particularly in the liver tissue.

People suffering from sleep disorders experience fatty liver disease at increasing rates than people without sleep disorders.

5. Poor Diet

Consuming a diet full of unhealthy saturated fats found in sugar, red meat, butter, processed foods and fast food results in hypercholesteremia (increased cholesterol levels in the blood).

The excessive fat build up in the liver ultimately lead to non alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is the most common form of chronic liver disorder in the United States affecting one to fourth of the population. 

Fatty liver disease is characterized by high triglyceride levels and symptoms such as abdominal swelling, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly ( enlargement of liver and spleen).

Excessive consumption of sodium in diet has also been linked to fluid buildup and swelling in the liver.