Thread by @samyr_q

Your entire immune system depends on ONE organ.

It's not your heart, brain, or lungs.

It's a far more neglected one that purifies toxins, keeps your blood clean, and protects you from ilness.

Here's what it is (and why ignoring it can be your biggest mistake):

Most people think of the liver as just a filter.

But it's actually your body's most sophisticated chemical processing plant.

It holds 13% of your total blood supply at any moment.

And what it does with that blood determines how how you feel & function.

Let me explain:

Your liver receives blood from 2 sources:

1. The hepatic artery brings oxygen-rich blood from your heart
2. The portal vein delivers nutrient-rich blood straight from your intestines

Inside your liver, this blood flows through a marvel of biological engineering:

2 main lobes, divided into 8 segments, containing over 1,000 tiny processing units called lobules.

Each hexagonal lobule is a microscopic factory working 24/7.

But here's where it gets interesting:

These lobules don't just filter blood.

They're constantly:

• Converting nutrients into energy
• Creating proteins for your immune system
• Processing toxins into harmless substances

This engineering affects everything about how you feel:

When you eat, your liver converts excess glucose into glycogen for storage.

When you're running low, it releases this stored energy.

This is why liver health directly controls your daily energy levels.

But that's not all...

Your liver contains specialized Kupffer cells that patrol your bloodstream.

These cells capture and destroy harmful bacteria before they can spread.

When your liver struggles, your entire immune system weakens.

Here's where it gets dangerous:

Unlike heart problems (like chest pain) or lung issues (like breathing trouble),

You won't feel liver damage until it's severe.

This silent progression is why liver disease became the 11th leading cause of death in America...

The numbers are shocking:

47,900 Americans died from liver cirrhosis in 2019.

Death rates from alcohol-related liver damage jumped 47% in just 19 years.

While we obsess over heart health, our livers are quietly deteriorating...

And when your liver struggles, everything falls apart:

• Your energy crashes
• Your immunity weakens
• Toxins build up in your blood
• Hormones become imbalanced
• Inflammation spreads throughout your body

Here's why this happens:

Modern life is especially hard on your liver:

Every processed food, medication, environmental toxin, and alcoholic drink must be processed by this single organ.

It's like running a factory at maximum capacity 24/7 without any maintenance...

Eventually, something will have to give.

Here's how to keep your liver healthy:

1. Stay properly hydrated
2. Limit alcohol consumption
3. Exercise regularly to improve blood flow
4. Eat antioxidant-rich foods (leafy greens)
5. Choose whole foods over processed ones

The truth about health is simple:

You can do all the right things...

But if your liver is struggling, none of that matters.

It's the foundation everything else builds upon.

When your liver thrives, your immune system stays strong.

But when it struggles, everything else suffers.

Take care of it before it's too late.

I hope you've found this thread helpful.

Follow me @samyr_q for more.

Like/Repost the quote below if you can:

I'm Samyr—ex-Apple & Gartner

Now founder of Knack - edtech modernizing p2p student support

VP at Deep Acre - investing in new fund managers & founders

I write about startups, leadership, & risk-taking

Empowering 1st-time & immigrant founders to build world-changing firms 🔥