If your liver never gives you a reason to think about it, that’s good. It’s going about its business keeping you alive, and probably has no issues.

Even better: Think about what you can do to keep your liver healthy, so that it continues to quietly function without worry. The liver takes on a lot of tasks. Your liver filters your blood and removes bad things like fat and toxins. It also converts inputs like food into outputs like vitamins, minerals and energy. You may not have known that it also produces bile, which flows to the small intestine where it further digests fat to your benefit. If you’re a bile enthusiast, check out the expert guide by ColumbiaSurgery.org.

Your liver is also part of the system that regulates blood sugar, keeping it at the best level for your body, as described by Hopkinsmedicine.org. Add this to the mix — it produces hormones and decomposes old blood cells — and you have your liver: A 3-pound factory about the size of a football that sits under your diaphragm, next to your stomach and above your intestines.

The liver most often loses some of its working efficiency when we put things into our bodies that aren’t good for us. Because your liver filters all of your blood, a lot of the bad stuff stays right there after removal.

Processed foods, too much alcohol, and even some prescription medicines can reduce the liver’s efficiency. Of course, smoking, gaining weight, or letting your cholesterol get out of hand are also bad for your liver, along with the rest of your body.

A high-functioning liver will help you benefit from exercise, which is one good reason to take care of it. This “silent partner,” as described by liver.org, gives you energy by producing carbohydrates and converting glucose into glycogen, which is stored in muscles. It also acts as a storage center for nutrients, vitamins, and carbohydrates.

Most people don’t think about liver health in terms of weight loss, reports Active.com, but the liver is responsible for helping metabolize fat. The purifying of our blood helps us feel energized. Bad eating and lifestyle habits decrease the liver’s ability to digest food and break down fat, which can lead to weight gain, bloat and sluggishness.

Your liver is also susceptible to contamination by outside sources. Don’t work with chemicals unless you are wearing safety equipment to prevent them from infiltrating through your skin or lungs because the bad stuff will end up in your liver.

Hepatitis attacks the liver, and you can take common-sense steps to stop transmission of its many forms:

• Wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom, touching pets, and before eating.
• Don’t share needles, or personal items like razors and toothbrushes.
• Use condoms during sex.

Another way to support your liver is with NuEthix supplements that promote the organ’s ability to perform its detoxification duties.

• Opti-Pure is a three-times-a-day dose of vitamins, minerals and amino acids that supports the body’s natural detoxification processes to help rid the liver and other organs of harmful toxins, chemicals, and environmental pollutants.
• To assist the liver before toxins get to it, Gut Defender+ combines herbs, vitamins and minerals to balance the microbiome and support digestive health. The formula is designed to help the liver better cleanse the body from unwanted gut intruders, which traditional gut products may neglect.

So, just because your liver doesn’t beat rhythmically like your heart, expand like your lungs or create consciousness like your brain, it’s good practice to remember that your liver is there and what practices you can take to keep it — and the rest of you — healthy.

The contents of this blog should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem - nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.