Your liver is the largest organ in your body-about the size of a football. It weighs approximately three pounds. Your liver is located on the lower right side of your abdomen behind your lower ribs. Its functions include:
- Processing and filtering the blood that leaves your digestive system (stomach and intestines)
- Producing bile, a substance that helps you digest your food
- Producing glucose (also known as your blood sugar)
- Regulating fat stores
- Converting food into chemicals that keep you healthy
- Storing iron
- Manufacturing proteins
- Storing certain vitamins, minerals and sugars so that your body has enough fuel
- Providing your body with quick energy
- Metabolizing many drugs used to treat diseases
- Metabolizing alcohol
- Regulating your body's production and excretion of cholesterol
- Controlling the clotting of your blood
- Keeping your hormones balanced
One of your body's main functions is to produce immune factors and remove bacteria from your blood. This helps your body to resist infection and prevent certain diseases from starting or spreading.
