Organ Spotlight: The Liver
The greatest multitasker and the most active organ in the human body is probably the liver. Many of us know the main function of the liver is to filter out the bad stuff from our bodies, but the liver's functions are vast and go way beyond filtration. The liver filters chemicals, toxins, and biological compounds. It stores vitamins, glycogen (stored form of glucose), cholesterol, iron, copper, and fats. The liver synthesizes cholesterol, estrogen, proteins, bile (fat digestion aid), anti-clotting factors, hormones for bone growth and soft tissue growth, and is essential for thyroid hormone conversion. It controls homeostasis for glucose, proteins, fat, cholesterol, hormones, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). It excretes Immunoglobulins into the digestive tract (Kupfer cells), which are important for the health of the immune system. It regulates the blood supply by storing blood cells and breaking down blood cells for elimination. Even if a majority of the liver is damaged,