What Are the Key Functions of the Human Liver?

The liver is a vital organ in the human body, responsible for secreting bile, converting ingested nutrients, and storing them. It is crucial for maintaining good health. To better safeguard one's health in daily life, it is essential to take care of the liver by adjusting sleep habits and dietary structure. By doing so, one can maintain a healthier state.

1. Bile Secretion: The liver synthesizes approximately 300-700ml of bile daily. This bile is transported through bile ducts to the gallbladder for storage. When a person begins to eat, the gallbladder contracts, releasing bile into the duodenum, which helps in the absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins.

2. Nutrient Conversion: As the largest digestive gland in the body, the liver converts nutrients from food. After the stomach and intestines break down and absorb food, the liver processes these nutrients, transforming them into usable energy for the body's cells.

3. Storage Function: The liver exhibits the virtue of thriftiness by temporarily storing excess heat and fat for future use.

1. Avoid overexertion and staying up late. It is advisable to go to bed at 11 pm every night, as this is considered the optimal time for liver health according to traditional health practices.

2. Engage in appropriate physical exercise and ensure adequate nutritional intake. High-fat and greasy foods, as well as malnutrition, can lead to the development of fatty liver disease, manifesting as symptoms such as fatigue and pain in the upper right abdomen.