The liver is the largest organ in the body. It is located on the right side of the abdomen (to the right of the stomach) behind the lower ribs and below the lungs. The liver performs more than 400 functions each day to keep the body healthy. Some of its major jobs include:

• converting food into nutrients the body can use (for example, the liver produces bile to help break down fats)

• storing fats, sugars, iron, and vitamins for later use by the body

• making the proteins needed for normal blood clotting

• removing or chemically changing drugs, alcohol, and other substances that may be harmful or toxic to the body