The liver is the most active organ of our body and it is in the liver that most of the important processes of the body take place, when nutrients enter the body, the liver receives them first; then it metabolizes, packages, stores, or ships them out for use by other organs. Let us see how hard working our liver is. Liver performs the following functions in the body.

Liver converts fructose and galactose to glucose, which is then absorbed by body and utilized as a source of energy. It makes and stores excess glucose in the form of glycogen. It also breaks down glycogen and releases glucose. This glucose is then broken down for the need of energy. It makes glucose from amino acids and glycerol when needed.

With respect to lipids, the liver builds and breaks down triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesterol as needed. It breaks down fatty acids for energy when needed. It packages extra lipids in lipoproteins for transport to other body organs. It manufactures bile to send to the gall bladder for use in fat digestion. It also makes ketone bodies when necessary.

The liver manufactures nonessential amino acids that are in short supply. It removes the amino acids from circulation that are present in excess of need and deaminates them or converts them to other amino acids. It removes ammonia from the blood and converts it to urea to be sent to the kidneys for excretion. It makes other nitrogen-containing compounds the body needs such as bases used in DNA and RNA. It makes plasma proteins such as clotting factors.

The liver has the capacity to detoxify alcohol, other drugs and poisons and prepares waste products for excretion. It also helps to dismantle old red blood cells and captures the iron for recycling. It stores most vitamins and many minerals and also forms lymph.

When alcohol, drugs, or poisons enter the body, they are also sent directly to the liver. In the liver, they are detoxified and their by-products shipped out for excretion. We should express our gratitude to our liver for the various functions that it performs.