CHECK Magazin - Gesundheitsmagazin für Männer No.4

HEALTH
ENGLISH
LIVER
like
LIVING
The liver makes up about 2.5 percent of our body weight. It is the largest gland in
humans and the central metabolic organ for the protein, fat, carbohydrate and water
balance.
THE BODY‘S HR DEPARTMENT
The liver does so much that we are only able to
name a few of the most important functions here.
For example, the liver plays a central role in the
absorption of many substances from the intestine.
By regulating the formation of bile acids, the liver
also helps to maintain the body‘s pH balance. The
liver also does an amazing job as a filter for the
body, keeping the build-up (and subsequent breakdown)
of blood pigments in check and helping to
metabolize vitamins and trace elements.
CHEERS TO HEALTH
The liver is a porous organ and even small amounts
of alcohol can have an impact on the pore size of
the cells. While one cheeky drink is understandable
and allowed, regular alcohol consumptio n can
have a myriad of adverse effects: damage to the
pores, lipid metabolism disorders, and hardening of
arteries. This increases the risk of suffering a heart
attack or stroke. Look across most cultures and
you‘ll find a version of the phrase „In vino veritas‘‘--
in wine lies truth. Who among us hasn‘t let slip
some thoughts best left unsaid after a glass (or
two) of wine. Well, this process begins in the liver,
but with each glass, your body loses a little bit
more control and our inhibitions are lowered. Alcohol,
in a way, takes over as your liver tries to resist
the takeover (and likely hangover the next day).
Foto: yodiyim_stock.adobe.com
XENOBIOTICS
Special attention should also be paid to xenobiotics
(substances foreign to the body). We
consume xenobiotics through a number of ways.
Either passively in the food we eat or intentionally
through medications, antibiotics or chemotherapeutics.
This requires the liver to break down these
additional, foreign substances. Often these don‘t
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