While you’re going about your day, your liver is working. This 30-second 3-D tour brings a few of its everyday jobs into focus.
What does your liver actually do?
Your liver sits in the upper right part of your abdomen. Blood carries nutrients from digestion to the liver, where liver cells process, store, and distribute them.
Helps manage your energy supply
Your liver stores extra glucose as glycogen and can release glucose when your body needs it. This is one way it helps regulate blood sugar.
Makes bile for digestion
Liver cells make bile, which travels through bile ducts. Bile helps disperse fats in the small intestine so they can be digested and absorbed. The gallbladder stores bile between meals.
Processes substances and makes essential proteins
The liver helps break down medicines and alcohol. It also makes important blood proteins, including clotting factors. These are only a few of its many functions.
A small lesson with a bigger connection
Understanding your body can make everyday health conversations more meaningful. If you’d like to explore the topic further, discover The Liver Health Connection illustrated e-book.
Read the video transcript
Meet your liver, your body’s busy processing center. Blood brings nutrients here, where liver cells process them. Your liver stores extra sugar and releases it when needed. It makes bile to help digest fats, breaks down medicines and alcohol, and builds proteins that help your blood clot. All day, every day, your liver helps keep your body running.
Sources
This article provides general education and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.
A note about the author.
Maurice Massey is the founder of Bridgett Renee Health, bringing 19 years of hands-on coaching experience. His work is dedicated to the memory of his wife, Bridgett Renee.
Meet Maurice ↗