About the Liver

Whether you or a family member has a liver disease, or you want to prevent liver issues in the future, the first step is to learn about what your liver does for you and the best ways to keep it healthy.

A few facts about the liver:

  • The over is a crucial part of the digestive system.
  • It is located on the right side, right under the ribcage.
  • One of its biggest jobs is filtering all of the blood in the body to remove toxins.
  • The liver also produces and secretes bile, a substance that helps break down fats and certain vitamins (and is partially responsible for turning your stool brown).
  • The liver is the only internal organ that has the ability to regenerate.
  • The liver is the largest solid organ in the body and is a lot bigger than people think! The average adult liver weighs about 3 pounds and is shaped like a deflated football.
  • The liver supports the immune system.

If you’d like to learn more about this awesome organ, check out this page from British Liver Trust.

A few ways to take care of your liver:

  • Eat a balanced diet and try to make sure you plate follows the general recommendations of 50% fruits and veggies, 25% lean protein, and 25% whole grains and carbohydrates.
  • Minimize or eliminate your intake of alcohol.
  • Avoid processed food and watch your sugar intake. (Did you know that sugar and alcohol have a similar effect on your liver?)
  • Exercise! It is generally recommended that we aim for 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week. (Exercise does not have to be intense to be beneficial. Walking, riding a bike, swimming, and dancing are all good for your body.)
  • HYDRATE! Water is vital to our health and it helps our liver flush out toxins. This study in 2021 even found that men who had a higher intake of plain water had lower rates of Fatty Liver Disease.

Your liver is a resilient and forgiving organ. Taking steps to keep it healthy will go a long way toward helping your liver take care of you!