 |
What does the liver do? |
by Kate Simmons >> more about the author
Imagine a pinkish-brown boomerang! You’ve just imagined the color and shape of your liver, an organ located on the right side of your body, above your pancreas and small intestine. The liver performs many important jobs. In fact, nearly every nutrient that enters your body must pass through your liver!
Your liver keeps your blood clean. In fact, this important organ removes toxins from your blood, filtering out unhealthy substances so they don’t circulate throughout your body.
The liver makes bile, which is a green liquid that helps break down fat. This bile also helps to remove a substance called bilirubin from the blood. When too much bilirubin builds up, a person’s skin develops a yellow tint, also known as jaundice. Bile also carries waste away from the liver and into your intestines, where it can prepare to leave the body.
The liver also breaks down the nutrients we eat into chemicals that can be used by your body! For example, your body uses a type of sugar called glucose for fuel. Some of this glucose (called glycogen) is stored in the liver. When your body needs more fuel, the liver can break down the glycogen so it can enter your bloodstream and give you the energy you require!
Finally, the liver makes important proteins, as well as cholesterol, both of which your body needs to be healthy! It’s no wonder we can’t imagine life without a liver. After all, we can’t live without it!
The liver is the second largest organ in your body. What’s the largest? Your skin!
