The Healthy Liver

The liver is the largest organ in the body and plays a vital role in regulating many life processes. The liver weighs approximately 1.5 to 2 kg and is roughly the size of a football. The liver is located in the right side of the abdomen and is protected by the ribcage.

The liver is a very complex organ that performs many functions that are essential for life. These functions include:

• Storing energy in the form of sugar
• Storing vitamins, iron and other minerals
• Making proteins, including blood-clotting factors, to keep the body healthy and growing
• Processing worn out blood cells
• Making bile, which is needed for food digestion
• Helping "clean" the blood by breaking down and removing many medicines and toxins, such as alcohol
• Regenerating its own damaged tissue
• Maintaining hormonal balance
  Aiding in digestion by helping in the absorption of fat and certain vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E and K
• Helping the body resist infection by producing immune factors and by removing bacteria from the bloodstream