Liver Part 4 - Role in fighting infection and Recap!

Fighting infection - Role of your liver

The liver plays an important role in fighting infections and filtering out bugs that enter the bloodstream from the gut. It contains cells known as macrophages, which form part of the body's defence mechanism. The macrophages in the liver destroy bacteria or bacterial toxins coming from the gut.

In addition, the liver is a key organ involved in our natural immunity - releasing important chemicals that activate immune responses when infection is detected.

If the liver is damaged, the body's ability to defend itself is reduced.

Other important functions of the liver include:

• Storing sugars, vitamins and minerals, including iron
• Regulating fat metabolism and distribution in the bloodstream
• Producing and maintaining the balance of hormones
• Producing the chemicals - enzymes and other proteins - responsible for most of the chemical reactions in the body, such as blood clotting and repairing tissue
• Repairing damage and renewing itself

With so many key functions, your liver is essential for life. If it becomes severely damaged and starts to fail, almost every part of your body will be affected.