Just yesterday, I received some news about a person very close to me. He had been having some health issues so he went to the doctor for some tests last week. The results of his blood chemistry came out yesterday and it seems that he has some problems with his liver. They are doing additional tests today to find out more about his condition. They are hoping, of course, that it is nothing serious but with his lifestyle (oh yes, he can drink most men under the table), I cannot help but be seriously concerned. This prompted some research on liver problems and thus this series of posts on the liver.

So what is the liver’s role in keeping us healthy? Basically, it keeps our body clean. Everything that we ingest – food, drink, smoke, and even what passes through our skin – goes to the liver eventually. The liver breaks down substances into forms that our body can eliminate. It also serves as a storage for sugar which, when released, gives us energy. More than this, the liver is a producing entity of chemicals that perform important functions in our body.

As you can see, the liver is a vital organ that we simply cannot live without. The good news is that the liver is one of the most resilient – if not THE most – organ in our body. I am sure you have heard of the liver regenerating and repairing itself in the most serious circumstances. In the next post, let’s look at some potential problems that can arise with regard to this important organ.