Think You Know Your Liver? Think Again.

Here at The Plug, we’re really big on anything liver related — which we’re sure you’re already aware of! So if you’ve been following us on social media, you might know some liver facts, like that it’s the largest organ in the human body. You might also know some of the liver’s functions, but you should realize that there are a ton of them — over 500 — that work to keep you healthy 24/7. Let’s dive into some of the most commonly known liver functions, along with some that you might not have guessed!

Decluttering Your Body’s Systems

The liver is your body’s biggest filter; it sends toxins out, but keeps the good stuff to either store for later or to recycle into your blood (1). This is one of the key factors in why a healthy liver is so important! If your liver is not at its peak performance, toxins can linger in your bloodstream. When that happens, toxins can advance to your brain, leading to impairments in concentration and mood, as well as tolerance to stress (2). Advanced liver disease can also sometimes lead to hepatic encephalopathy, a disorder caused by an accumulation of neurotoxic substances in the brain (2). It affects many functions, such as sleep, movement, and behavior (2).

Your liver also helps out with balancing the amount of sugar in your blood. If you consume too much sugar, it’ll get stored as glycogen; these glycogens then can be converted back into glucose (a.k.a. sugar) if your body needs it (1, 3). The liver can also produce glucose from carbohydrates and protein when needed (4) — what a transformer!

Speaking of carbohydrates and protein, your liver converts any excess of them and puts them away for the future (4). During this process, the liver breaks down fats and produces bile to help out, removing toxins and other bad substances (3). Take note that this is an important part of the digestion process! Everything we eat or drink needs to be sorted into what needs to stay, what needs to be stored, and what needs to leave. Think of it as decluttering your bedroom. If things are not where they’re supposed to be, you won’t feel your best!

Creating Your Body’s Essentials

When breaking down and absorbing fats, the liver can synthesize some of them into cholesterol (4). Cholesterol gets a bad reputation, but it is actually needed to stay healthy! You just need to keep a close eye so you don’t develop high cholesterol. Why? Because your liver and intestines already make most of the cholesterol that you need (3, 5).

The liver also makes certain proteins for blood plasma and as clotting factors that manage bleeding, the latter being needed to help with blood clot formations (3, 6). Vitamin K is required for this process, and bile is the only substance that aids in the absorption of the vitamin (1). Without these two elements, your blood clotting will not be regulated, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding.

Keeping Your Bloodstream Healthy

If you haven’t already realized, the liver does a lot for your blood! It removes old or damaged blood cells and gets rid of bacteria in your bloodstream (3, 4). It stores iron (along with other vitamins and minerals) and processes hemoglobin to use its iron (3).

Additionally, the liver regulates how much blood is in the body and produces a protein called albumin to do so and to keep fluids in the bloodstream (1). Albumin acts as a delivery driver, carrying hormones, vitamins, and enzymes all throughout your body (1). Long story short — the liver creates many essential products that keep your body running, happy, and healthy!

Live Your Life with a Healthy Liver

So, now that you know your liver a bit better, you can appreciate it even more for all that it does for you! Take care of it, and it'll take care of you in return. We can’t do our best work if we’re not feeling 100%, and that applies to your liver as well. Keep it in prime fighting shape with some love and The Plug!

Bibliography

1. The Liver and Its Functions [Internet]. Columbia Surgery | Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Available from: https://columbiasurgery.org/liver/liver-and-its-functions

2. Mandiga P, Kommu S, Bollu PC. Hepatic Encephalopathy. StatPearls [Internet]. Updated 2025 Jan 20. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430869

3. Liver: Anatomy and Functions [Internet]. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/liver-anatomy-and-functions

4. Wisely R. What Does the Liver Do, and How Do I Keep Mine Healthy? [Internet]. Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan. 2017 Nov 6. Available from: https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/what-does-liver-do-and-how-do-i-keep-mine-healthy

5. Corliss J. How it’s made: Cholesterol production in your body [Internet]. Harvard Health Publishing | Harvard Medical School. Updated 2022 July 12. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/how-its-made-cholesterol-production-in-your-body

6. Liver [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. Updated 2025 Oct 2. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21481-liver