Liver

The Liver is the second largest organ after the skin in the body and comprises 2.5% of the body's weight. The liver plays vital roles in digestion, metabolism, and detoxification. Remarkably, the adult liver has a unique ability to regenerate, with a capacity to regenerate even after two-thirds of the organ is removed by partial hepatectomy.

 Liver Enhancement - Substances

 Liver Enhancement - Fooods/Herbs

Cardiovascular System

 The Liver stores and filters the Blood to remove infectious organisms:    

 The Liver processes approximately three pints of Blood every minute.

  Most Blood arrives at the Liver direct from the Intestines via the Portal Vein carrying dietary nutrients and dietary toxins - the remaining Blood arrives at the Liver via the Hepatic Artery.

Detoxification

 The Liver is the primary organ for the detoxification of toxic chemicals that enter the body:

 Phase I Enzymes in the Liver directly neutralize many toxic chemicals or convert them to metabolites.  Unfortunately, often these metabolites are more toxic than their precursor toxins.  This process is also known as the Cytochrome P-450 system.

 Phase II Enzymes in the Liver process the metabolites of toxins produced by Phase I Enzymes.

Excretory System

 The Liver cleanses the body of Bilirubin, the yellow pigment produced when Red Blood Cells die (via Bile).

 The Liver is responsible for the processes involved in the Urea Cycle which involves the conversion of Ammonia (derived from Nitrogen from Amino Acids) to Urea.

Metabolism

 The Liver is responsible for the metabolism of 90% of ingested Alcohol.

 The Liver is responsible for 25% of Basal Metabolism.

 The Liver is responsible for the conversion of stored Glycogen into Glucose for release into the bloodstream.

Amino Acids

 Amino Acids - Glucogenic are converted to Glucose in the Liver.

 Glycine is manufactured within the Liver from Choline.

 Amino Acids - Non Essential are manufactured within the Liver from other nutrients.

 S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is produced in and concentrates in the Liver.  ^[1]

 Large quantities of Tryptophan are stored in the Liver.  ^[2]

Carbohydrates

 Carbohydrates are converted to Fats in the Liver.

 Galactose and Fructose are converted to Glucose in the Liver.

 Glycogen comprises 5% of the total weight of the Liver.

 Heparin is manufactured within the Liver.

Carotenoids

 Beta-Carotene concentrates in the Liver.

 Lycopene concentrates in the Liver.  ^[3] 

Digestive Enzymes

 Bile is manufactured in the Liver.

Enzymes

 Acetylcholinesterase is manufactured by the Liver.

Hormones

 Approximately 80% of Triiodothyronine (T3) is produced in the Liver (from the conversion of Thyroxine to Triiodothyronine).  ^[4]

Ketones

 Acetone is manufactured in the Liver as a byproduct of the metabolism of Fatty Acids (via Acetoacetic Acid) for excretion via the Urine:

 Caution:  excessive accumulation of Acetone is toxic.

 Beta-Hydroxybutyric Acid is manufactured in the Liver as a byproduct of the metabolism of Fatty Acids (via Acetoacetic Acid) for excretion via the Urine.

Minerals

 Cobalt concentrates in the Liver.

 15% of the body's Copper concentrates in the Liver.

 Ferritin (the endogenous storage form of Iron) concentrates in the Liver.