Guest guest Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 Your liver is located just under your rib cage on the right side of your abdomen, it's about the size of a football, weighs 3 to 4 pounds and performs hundreds of vital functions. Without it, you couldn't digest food and absorb nutrients, get rid of toxic substances from your body or stay alive. Serious complications can arise if you develop liver problems. Some liver problems can't be prevented, such as those that are inherited, but you can take an active role in preventing other liver problems. Learn to identify symptoms of liver problems and how to avoid them. Your liver's role in keeping you healthy CLICK TO ENLARGE Liver anatomy Everything you eat, drink, breathe and absorb through your skin eventually reaches your liver. It controls a process called metabolism, in which your liver breaks down nutrients into usable byproducts. These byproducts are delivered to the rest of your body by your bloodstream. Your liver also breaks down toxins into byproducts that can be safely eliminated. Your liver serves as a storage depot for sugar (glucose), which it releases when you need energy. Your liver also works as a chemical factory, producing many substances that perform vital tasks in your body. Examples include bile, a fluid that carries away waste and helps digest fat in the small intestine, and cholesterol, a substance needed by every cell in your body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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