As a product of the parenchyma in the liver, albumin occupies 40%-60% of the protein in the blood plasma. The combining rate of albumin is mainly depending on the level of the blood plasma even though the protein contained in the food also can have an influence on it. There is no remained albumin in the liver cells but you can find it in all the extracellular fluid. The quantity of albumin filtrated through the glomeruli can be as high as 3.6g each day, however, there are only 0.04% of them will be excreted via the urine, and the rest will be reabsorbed by the renal tubules.
What are the functions of albumin in the body?
I. Keep a constant plasma oncotic pressure.
Albumin is a kind of protein with the property of large quantity, little molecule, big solubility and comprehensive functions. With these properties, albumin can help to keep a stable plasma oncotic pressure which is a main energy for the liquid in the vain to return to the blood vessels. When the quantity of albumin in the plasma decreases, the plasma oncotic pressure will be reduced therewith, thus leading the water in the blood to get into the tissue fluid and result in swelling.
II. The function of transportation in albumin.
Albumin is a kind of selective transport protein and is closely related to the health of human body. Albumin can combine with many hard dissolved micromolecule organic matter and inorganicions, and then form a kind of complex substance which is easy to be dissolved, finally becomes the transform form of the blood circulation.
III. Other functions of the body.
As the majority of the protein in the blood plasma is albumin, the albumin is playing a role to protect the globulin which is able to keep the balance of metabolism.
Also, the albumin is a kind of nutrition. The amino acid produced by it can be used to produce tissue protein which can be decomposed and then provide energy for the body.
If the albumin is combining with active hormone or medicines, it can be inactive and be stored in the body which can adjust their balance in the metabolism.
Albumin will combine with the heavy metal ion and be excreted out of the body through the urine, thus remitting the toxin in the body. Therefore, taking food with rich albumin can help us avoid the poisoning caused by heavy metal ion.
