The fascinating liver

In our previous blog post, we saw that the liver is a fascinating organ and in order for our bodies to function optimal we need to keep it healthy ! Let us now focus on the metabolism of proteins.

Let’s recap on some fun liver facts!

• A healthy liver filters about 1.7 liters of blood per minute
• It contains 300 billion specialized cells and on average weighs 1.4kg
• During pregnancy, the liver increases in size and weight to accommodate the changing metabolic demands and hormonal balance of the mother
• At any given moment, the liver holds about 13% of the body’s blood supply
• A healthy human liver holds about a two-year store of Vitamin
• 500 essential tasks, including nutrient conversion takes place in the liver
• Its “new” every year and can regenerate if as little as 25% remains
• It is the largest solid organ in the human body
• Whatever we eat, drink or breathe, is processed and filtered by the liver
• The liver metabolizes fat, protein and carbohydrates
• Stores glycogen, vitamins, and minerals
• Ensures a steady energy supply by storing glucose (derived from carbohydrates) when it is abundant, and releases it when needed
• This organ breaks down protein into amino acids and then builds them in to glucose, fats, and proteins that are custom made for your unique body
• Finally, the liver is responsible for the synthesis of cholesterol and regulation of cholesterol levels.
• Can you see why the liver is a fascinating amazing organ!

A strong, working liver is vital for human health.

This remarkable, hard-working organ and gland is responsible for a host of essential bodily functions.

• Comprising critical roles in digestion and nutrient absorption,
• complex metabolic functions,
• protein production, and
• hormonal production and regulation.

Moreover, it is the primary organ involved in the breakdown of every toxic substance your body encounters.

The food we eat is the source of all the macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fats) that we need. Food also provides micronutrients (vitamins and mineral) and trace elements as well as nucleotides. It’s important to know that each person has a unique need for the specific proteins that are built in the body (synthesized). Firstly breaking down the protein we ingest to amino acids, and then building the needed proteins form these amino acids. A lot of the protein synthesis (building of proteins) takes place in the liver. See the liver is one of the most fascinating organ in our bodies.

Special proteins from this fascinating liver

One of the water-soluble proteins the liver makes is Albumin (not to be confused with albumen – egg white that contains albumin).

The role of this protein is to regulate blood volume and how other fluids are distributed in the body. When the liver does not function properly, this role is disrupted often leading to abnormal fluid retention that causes swollen legs and abdominal distention. 

Ferritin is another protein produced in the liver – a protein used to store iron in the body.

Other proteins from the liver bind to hormones.

Lipoproteins are involved in cholesterol transport and

Acute phase proteins are involved in inflammation and infection. Some of these are transferrin, transthyretin, retinol-binding protein, antithrombin, transcortin and their concentrations in the body is often used as an indication of inflammation.

Why is protein synthesis so important?

Proteins are important for cell structure and functions and without them a lot of problems will occur in our bodies. To understand the importance, we need to look at the process of protein synthesis. There are two major steps in protein synthesis – transcription and translation.

Transcription

The design of a protein is the sequence in which amino acids are strung together in a very unique sequence/order. This recipe is found on the DNA (genetic material) in the nucleus of the cell. A copy is made of the specific gene that codes (contains the sequence) for a protein – this is called the mRNA, messenger RNA – because it contains the message. This is transcription – the process of the gene being made into mRNA.

Translation

Now the single stranded mRNA is interpreted and translated by a ribosome that builds the protein by placing one amino acid in a chain, one at a time. The sequence in which the amino acids are put in the chain is based on the sequence of individual nucleotides determined by the gene. The amino acids are brought to the ribosome building area via tRNA, transport RNA. Every amino acids is coded for by 3 nucleotides that are strung together.

The amino acid table below shows the 3 nucleotides in sequence and what amino acid it codes for. I.e. the nucleotide sequence AGA codes for phe – the amino acid phenylalanine.

For optimal liver function you need to provide it with the essentials that it needs to stay healthy!! NT-Detox® to assist you in keeping you liver healthy!

NT-Detox® is formulated with a balanced blend of Nutri-tide® nucleotides and:

• Dandelion Root Extract that has long been regarded as a “liver tonic” and may assist in bile flow and help the liver with general functionality
• Vit E and C are supplemented to act as oxygen scavengers to protect the immune system against the aging processes of radicals
• Milk Thistle Extract 80% (Silybum marianen seeds). Silymarin is the main active ingredient in milk thistle. Known for its benefits as an anti-inflammatory as well as an antioxidant. Milk thistle can assist the liver in recovery from chemical damage and improve liver functionality
• Vitamin B5 (Calcium D-Pantothenate) is a precursor substance of Coenzyme A. Coenzyme A is made from Adenosine (one of the nucleotides) plus Pantothenic acid and Cysteamin. It is an important enzyme in the citric acid cycle and critical for fatty acid oxidation and to convert food in to energy
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is significant for protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, the creation of red blood cells and neurotransmitters.

More information

• Menche N. (ed.) Biologie Anatomie Physiologie. Munich: Urban & Fischer/ Elsevier; 2012.
• Pschyrembel W. Klinisches Wörterbuch. Berlin: De Gruyter; 2014.
• Schmidt R, Lang F, Heckmann M. Physiologie des Menschen: mit Pathophysiologie. Heidelberg: Springer; 2011.