Detoxification

The liver is vital for the detoxification and destruction of endogenous and exogenous substances that are harmful to the body.

The liver’s own phagocytes which reside in the lobules, known as Kupffer cells, digest and destroy cellular debris and any invading bacteria.

Other exogenous substances such as drugs and alcohol are detoxified by the liver. Endogenous substances (or those produced by the body), are also dealt with by the liver. Amino acids are deaminated, some hormones are inactivated, and bilirubin, a product of the breakdown of old red blood cells, is also detoxified and rendered harmless by liver metabolism.