The liver is the heaviest internal organ in the human body, and it is essential to keep healthy. Essentially a vital multitasking organ, it is responsible for over 500 essential functions such as detoxification, nutrient storage, and metabolic regulation. The liver is located in the upper part of the right abdomen, below the diaphragm; in adults, it weighs 1.4 to 1.5 kilograms and consists of two main lobes. Of its many functions, it filters toxins from the blood, produces bile to help digest fats, converts nutrients and drugs, and stores vitamins and minerals like iron and vitamin A.

One of the liver’s main jobs is to detoxify. Alcohol, drugs, and other harmful substances pass through the liver, which changes the substances so they can safely be eliminated from the body either in urine or bile. The liver’s capacity to clear harmful substances from the body—known as detoxification—is essential for preventing other organ or tissue damage, according to The Journal of Hepatology. It is also important for the liver to regulate the blood levels of glucose, something it does with glucose metabolism. Excess glucose is stored as glycogen and released when the body needs energy to help keep stable levels of blood sugar.
Besides performing these functions, the liver also synthesizes proteins that are essential to life, such as albumin and clotting factors. First-line antibodies include the most abundant blood protein, albumin, which helps maintain fluid balance, and clotting factors, which are important to keep blood from becoming too bloody. This research, published in Hepatology International, focuses on how the liver helps in the formation of cholesterol and triglycerides, which we need to make cell membranes and produce energy.

Another important liver function is bile production. Bile is a yellow-green fluid stored in the gallbladder that helps digest and absorb dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Adequate bile production is needed to process fat properly, failing which the body would struggle to get nutrients from food.

The immune system depends on the liver. The liver contains its own specialized macrophages, known as Kupffer cells, which detect and kill pathogens in the blood. In studies in Nature Reviews Immunology, the liver is highlighted as a gatekeeper of systemic immunity, filtering organisms and other foreign particles for elimination.

Lifestyle choices have an impact on the health of the liver. Causes of liver damage include excessive alcohol consumption, a poor diet, and exposure to toxins that can cause conditions like fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Essential for liver health are a balanced diet, regular exercise, and no or minimum alcohol. People should think about performing regular liver function tests (LFTs), which medical professionals frequently advise for those at risk.

The liver is vital to life, performing a variety of roles essential to keep the body performing its best. The liver is unparalleled when it comes to its contribution to health as it helps the body detox harmful substances, supports good digestion, and strengthens immunity. A healthy lifestyle and immediate medical care can help to prioritize liver health and prevent complications in this vital organ to help it continue to carry out all of its many functions efficiently.

Additional References:
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Almazroo OA, Miah MK, Venkataramanan R. Drug Metabolism in the Liver. Clin Liver Dis. 2017 Feb;21(1):1-20. [PubMed]
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O’Brien L, Hosick PA, John K, Stec DE, Hinds TD. Biliverdin reductase isozymes in metabolism. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Apr;26(4):212-20. [PMC free article] [PubMed]