The liver is often cited as one of the most important organs of our body. But what exactly is the link between your liver and your muscle health? Click here to find out more!
“If you take care of your liver, then your liver will take care of your muscles”
The liver is beautiful evidence of the intricacies lying within the human body. The seat of all major metabolism, it is the body’s largest solid organ. A person cannot do without a liver. However, liver-related chronic diseases are not uncommon, and will only be on the rise.
When we talk about diseases related to lack of physical activity, our mind immediately thinks of diseases pertaining to the heart, bones, or medical conditions like obesity. But can keeping your body unfit be harmful to your liver?
Over the last few decades, research has described the effects of physical activity and playing sports on the liver, including cirrhosis and hepatitis. It is estimated that about 30% of adults in the united states have NAFLD – nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which further results in a situation known as fatty liver. In layman’s terms, it is the situation when there is the deposition of excess fat in the liver.
It is known that the liver, along with the muscular system, handles all metabolic processes in the body. If our muscles are safeguarded by keeping the liver in good shape, naturally the reverse holds just as true. Muscles storing organic compounds called amino acids help in protein synthesis or during a sudden need for energy. Likewise, the liver stores glucose and can therefore direct the visceral tissues to burn or store fat, and it can take up and distribute amino acids on demand. The coordination of the aforementioned metabolic activities creates the link between the liver and the muscles.
Regular exercising and participation in competitive sports have been known to result in improving the metabolic efficiency of the cells, whilst also cleaning the bloodstreams of fatty acids. Thus, these kinds of regular exercises massively improve liver function. This can be further influenced by following a doctor-suggested diet.
As has been emphasized since the beginning, the liver is truly a remarkable organ. This is why it is essential for us to ensure that is always in an optimal working phase. It is an organ that can regenerate and heal itself, but only if we give it the chance.