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Last month while shopping at my favorite grocery store, I learned that one of their friendly staff had suddenly passed. Probably in her late 50s, she was ever vivacious and helpful to customers. Her co-workers told me that after experiencing some pain in the right abdominal area, just a week later she was gone due to liver disease. When someone you know died unexpectedly, it always seemed to be such regrettable news. May she rest in peace.
Every day the organs in our body are working diligently to maintain our lives. Today, let's talk about the liver, our body's good friend.
The liver is located under the chest's rib cage on the right hand side, just below the lungs and beneath the diaphragm.
On average, the liver weighs approximately 1,500 grams (about 3 pounds).
Men typically have a larger liver size than women.
The liver is the largest solid internal organ and lasts longer than all other internal organs.
The liver has more than 500 functions (research is still ongoing in this aspect).
The liver has a crucial job of maintaining health.
The liver is the first organ to process nutrients and chemicals from the blood leaving digestive organs.
The liver can regenerate itself after damage or removal.
Some of the liver's main functions include:
Eliminates toxins.
Produces bile to metabolize fats, some vitamins and cholesterol.
Provides long-term storage for many vitamins (such as vitamins A, B12, D, E, K) and minerals (such as iron and copper).
Stores carbohydrates in the form of glycogen and converts glycogen to glucose to release into the bloodstream when the body requires energy.
Metabolizes proteins and fats.
Produces most of coagulation factors to promote blood clot formation.
The liver contains no nerve endings. If the liver is damaged inside, often there would be no symptoms.
The layer of tissue surrounding the liver (called Glisson's capsule) is densely packed with nerve endings. When we feel pain around the liver area, that means the surrounding tissue has been inflamed and the liver has already been seriously affected.
We've heard about liver conditions like hepatitis A, B, and C, fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, or liver cancer. What gives rise to these liver diseases?
Liver diseases may be due to:
Transmission from other people.
Insulin resistance from eating too much sugar and carbs, leading to liver metabolic disorders and fatty liver disease.
Eating too much saturated fat, which can lead to fatty liver disease and possibly liver cancer.
Drinking alcohol, because the liver is not capable of eliminating a large amount of alcohol consumed, giving rise to metabolic disorders and alcohol-induced fatty liver problems. Alcohol drinkers who are thin can also get fatty liver disease.
Overweight or obese individuals are prone to having a fatty liver.
According to Eastern medicine, discontentment, anger, and hatred can be detrimental to liver health.
It would be helpful to liver health if we practice:
Being happy, forgiving, and letting go.
Adopting a healthy diet.
Having regular and adequate sleep & rest.
Exercising diligently, properly, consistently & sufficiently.
Pay special attention to improving flexibility around the T10 (Thoracic 10) area of the spine, which will help the liver in particular and the whole body in general, bringing us health, youthfulness and joy.
"Every day the organs in our body are working diligently to maintain our lives." May we remember that and appreciate our hard-working organs.
- Ly Binh Son
