The liver is an organ that has the ability to regenerate. Impaired regeneration can lead to fibrosis and even cirrhosis of the liver. What substances should be avoided to maximize the natural regeneration processes of the liver? Are there any proven supplements that support the work of this organ?
Hepatic cellshave the ability to regenerate. It has been proven in many studies that the ability of hepatocytes to restore the lost mass is as high as 70%! It turns out, however, that this remarkable property may disappear permanently if the liver is subjected to constant exposure to strong toxins, such as alcohol, drugs, and even … excessive consumption of s alt in the diet!
Why is the liver so important?
The liver is the largest gland in our body, weighing an average of about 1.5 kilograms. The real mass of this organ is, however, about 0.5 kg more due to the blood contained in its flesh.
Anatomically, the liver can be divided into 4 lobes, and the cells that make up its structure are called hepatocytes.
The liver is richly supplied with blood - it is through this organ that blood must flow from the entire digestive system before it reaches the inferior vena cava, supplying nutrients to the rest of the body. The blood vessel system that connects the liver to the stomach, pancreas and duodenum is called the portal circulation.
The operation of the liver can be compared to a factory in many sectors. Its main functions are:
- detoxification- any toxins such as alcohol, stimulants or medications are neutralized in the liver parenchyma. It can also store initially unneutralized chemicals or preservatives derived from food or fertilizers used in plant crops. Additionally, this organ is responsible for the conjugation of hormone metabolites or bilirubin with glucuronic acid. An important "detoxifying" function for the entire body is the conversion of poisonous ammonia formed as a by-product of metabolism (eg the breakdown of amino acids - the main components of the protein we consume) into non-toxic urea. This takes place in a series of enzymatic reactions known as the urea cycle. The vast majority of urea production (except the kidneys) takes place in the liver.
- filtration- in addition to neutralizing harmful substances, the liver respondspartly for the excretion of used red blood cells (i.e. red blood cells). It also filters ammonia present in the blood.
- storage- the liver is the primary reservoir of energy material - glucose, stored in the form of glycogen and released into the blood when needed. Also in this organ as much as 85% of all plasma proteins (including albumin and coagulation factors) and most fats, phospholipids and cholesterol are synthesized. The liver breaks down lipids into fatty acids, and also stores the necessary supply of vitamins A, D, B12 and iron.
- metabolizing- the process of gluconeogenesis also takes place in hepatocytes - that is, the synthesis of glucose from other precursors, e.g. glycerol, amino acids or lactates. On the other hand, carbohydrates are converted into more easily digestible glucose.
- immune functions- very effective phagocytosis processes take place in liver cells, i.e. digesting and degrading foreign particles that could threaten the body - e.g. viruses, bacteria or parasites, but also fragments cells. The food cells present here, secreting a number of cytokines, play a very important role in the development of inflammatory processes present in various types of infections in the organism.
In addition to these numerous tasks, it should not be mentioned that the liver produces and secretes bile necessary for the proper digestion of fats, and is also involved in thermoregulation of the body by producing heat. The blood leaving this organ is on average 1 ° warmer.
Mechanisms of liver regeneration
Since the liver has such varied functions, it is necessary to maintain its activity in a state of homeostasis, or equilibrium. The human body is constantly subjected to the action of various chemical compounds and toxins, leading directly to cell death and disturbance of the proper functioning of the entire system.
The liver, as the main place of detoxification of these compounds, must therefore regenerate efficiently - not only in young organisms, but above all in adults.
The mechanisms of liver regeneration are complex and have fascinated the scientific world for decades. They are activated not only during cell damage caused by toxins or drugs, but also in the event of physical damage, e.g. after an accident or surgery to remove a fragment of the liver, the so-called hepatectomy. Such a procedure is performed when neoplastic or necrotic changes are found.
Hundreds of genes are activated in damaged tissue, responsible for e.g. for the regulation of the cell cycle or the synthesis of growth factors (such as e.g. EGF - epidermal growth factor or HGF - growth factorhepatocytes).
In the next stages of cellular metabolism, new signaling pathways (mainly the TGF-β pathway - transforming growth factor beta) are stimulated, stimulating the proliferation of liver cells - that is, their "multiplication".
The speed of the regeneration process is influenced by many factors involved in the immune response, e.g. the secretion of a number of cytokines (mainly IL-6) with a strong pro-inflammatory effect and activating lymphocytes.
There is also a hypothesis that mature hepatocytes may possess unique stem cells. In adults, stem cells play the role of a specific "repair warehouse" and are found, among others, in the bone marrow, adipose tissue or skin. Their unique properties of self-renewal and differentiation underlie the natural regenerative processes of almost all tissues of the human body.
Disorders of liver regeneration and its fibrosis
If the balance between the natural regeneration of hepatocytes and their destruction is disturbed - sites of fibrosis (the so-called fibrosis) will begin to appear in the tissue. Overloaded cells will divide, producing collagen fibers to replace damaged ones. Characteristic scars form in the places of necrosis.
This process resembles a bit of a desperate attempt to "mend" a hole in the surface with non-functional tissue, when the liver, exposed to harmful factors, tries to maintain its structure and uniformity at all costs.
As the negative changes intensify, the normal flesh of the organ is gradually replaced with connective tissue. This, of course, results in impaired liver function and may lead to complete failure and the so-called cirrhosis.
The five-point MetaVir scale is most often used to assess the degree of liver fibrosis, where F0 indicates no fibrous changes, and F4 - cirrhosis.
The exact mechanisms of the fibrosis process are not known, but it is known that changes of this type are a significant risk factor for the incidence of liver cancer. Any chronic disease and inflammation of the liver can indirectly lead to liver fibrosis. However, toxic external factors, often consumed as stimulants, are especially dangerous.
Relatively recent studies have shown that liver fibrosis is to some extent a reversible process, but only if treated and the long-acting harmful factor is eliminated.
What harms the liver the most?
It is commonly accepted that the following factors have a strong negative impact on the functioning and regeneration of the functioning of the liver:
- alcohol,
- drugs,
- hepatotoxic viruses,
- substances contained in tobacco.
The most common cause of liver damage and liver fibrosis is regular alcohol consumption. Interestingly, no matter what alcohol we drink (beer, wine or stronger drinks), because the harmful substance here is the accumulated dose of ethanol.
Especially after the age of 40 (when the regeneration mechanisms begin to inhibit) and with obesity or diabetes coexisting - a dose of 50 g of pure ethanol per day significantly accelerates the rate of fibrosis.
If we assume that 0.5 liters of beer contains as much as 18 g of ethanol, and a glass of wine 16.8 g of ethanol - it does not take much to seriously contribute to the acceleration of structural changes in our liver.
We should also select drugs carefully, especially in the case of chronic diseases. Drug-induced liver damage may appear even several months after the therapy. These changes may manifest themselves, among others :
- obstructed outflow of bile with symptoms of jaundice,
- increase in liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase - ALT and aspartase - AST),
- and even acute liver failure.
The most common drugs that can cause toxic liver damage include :
- antibiotics,
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
- paracetamol,
- steroid hormones,
- certain anti-cancer drugs (e.g. tamoxifen).
The frequent cause of fibrotic changes in the liver may also be infection with hepatotropic virus (usually HBV or HCV) leading to the development of viral hepatitis (viral hepatitis).
The disease often does not give any obvious symptoms, however, very serious fibrotic and necrotic changes appear in the structure of the liver tissue. It is also highly contagious, so it is so important to always exercise caution and appropriate protection measures in contact with the blood of unknown people and sexual contacts.
The best protection is vaccination against hepatitis B (no vaccine has yet been invented to protect against hepatitis C).
One of the most harmful stimulants, strongly toxic to the entire body, including the liver, are, of course, cigarettes. Tobacco smoke contains over 250 toxins, including carcinogens that must be neutralized or stored.
Many studies show a clear relationship between smoking (also in the form of liquids in e-cigarettes) and the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. These disorders are often accompaniedchronic inflammatory process, which in turn may result in the development of fibrotic changes and cirrhosis.
How quickly a given harmful factor can lead to serious liver damage in a specific person also depends on many other factors, e.g.
- genetic predisposition,
- ages,
- gender (men may be more sensitive to drug toxicity),
- nutritional status.
Liver disease
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What diet supports liver regeneration?
The proper functioning of our liver is very often sabotaged by an improper diet. Fast food meals, rich in trans fats and extra calories, are the best path to obesity, and therefore not a long way to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Also, excessive consumption of sugar, especially glucose-fructose syrup, places a heavy burden on the liver and slows down its regeneration. Recent research also warns that excessive s alt consumption, which is ubiquitous in processed foods and snacks, reduces the natural multiplication capacity of hepatocytes and increases the likelihood of liver fibrosis.
So what to avoid if we want to regenerate our precious liver a bit?
- alcohol (especially consumed daily) and cigarettes,
- large amounts of protein, especially fried and grilled red meat,
- highly processed meats in the form of sausages and pates,
- large amounts of sweets and sweetened drinks,
- hot spices (like vinegar, chilli, curry).
Dietary supplements may also be helpful in supporting the functioning of the liver. Especially valuable are those containing:
- milk thistle extract (the active ingredient is silymarin),
- phospholipids (mainly phosphatidylcholine),
- alpha-lipoic acid (ALA).
However, it must be remembered that the beneficial effects of plant compounds or supplements are based on their long-term use. Therefore, when caring for the he alth of the liver, it is worth eliminating as soon as possible what harms it the most, as well as taking care of exercise and regular oxygenation of the whole body.
Though the human body has the amazing ability to restore damage, there are limits to it. If they are regularly exceeded, it may lead to irreversible changes. By taking care of your liver, you extend your life!
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