The liver is the main poison-detoxifying organ in the body. It must break down virtually everything toxic to the body- from metabolic wastes, to insecticide residues, drugs and alcohol industrial and food processing chemicals, etc. Failure of this liver function will usually cause death in twelve to twenty-four hours. The liver must dispose of ammonia, an extremely toxic by-product of protein metabolism. The amino acids arginine and orthinine are used by the liver to control ammonia levels.
Ammonia can cause brain irritation and even death, at surprisingly low levels.
The liver is the main organ for breaking down hormones after they have served their messenger function to their target cells. For example, if the liver does nor break down insulin quickly enough, hypoglycemia results as the still circulating insulin continues to lower blood sugar. If the liver does not metabolize estrogen properly, PMS will result. This brief review, which has not even touched on other key liver functions, such as immune functions and blood clotting protein manufacture, should make clear the central role of the liver in promoting optimal cellular nutrition. These might include chronic fatigue and feeling tired after meals.