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What breaks down fat in the liver?

Your liver continually produces bile. This is a chemical that helps turn fats into energy that your body uses. Bile is necessary for the digestive process.

hopkinsmedicine.org - The Digestive Process: The Liver and its Many Functions | Johns Hopkins ...

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The Digestive Process: The Liver and its Many Functions

The liver is the largest organ in your body. It weighs about 3 pounds and is about the size of a football. It performs many functions essential for good health and a long life.

What the liver does

Your liver works around the clock to keep you healthy. Among its most important jobs are: Producing important substances. Your liver continually produces bile. This is a chemical that helps turn fats into energy that your body uses. Bile is necessary for the digestive process. Your liver also creates albumin. This is a blood protein that helps carry hormones, drugs, and fatty acids throughout your body. Your liver also creates most of the substances that help your blood clot after injury. Processing bilirubin. The liver helps your body get rid of bilirubin. This happens from the breakdown of your red blood cells. Too much bilirubin in your body can cause jaundice. This is a yellowing of the skin and eyes. Removing waste products. When you take in a potentially toxic substance, like alcohol or medicine, your liver helps alter it and remove it from your body. Controls immune responses. When bacteria, viruses, and other harmful organisms enter your body, your liver can find and destroy them. This is done by specialized cells in your liver. Controlling glucose. The liver helps your body maintain a healthy level of blood sugar. Your liver supplies glucose to your blood when it’s needed. It also removes glucose from your blood when there’s too much.

Health problems affecting the liver

Many health problems can keep your liver from functioning properly. These include:

Cholestasis. This happens when the flow of bile from your liver is limited or blocked. Cholestasis can be caused by certain drugs, genetic factors, or even pregnancy. It can also happen from blockage from a tumor or a gallstone stuck in the drainage system. Hepatitis. This is the name for any condition involving inflammation of your liver. There are many different types. Sometimes, excessive alcohol use, drugs, or toxins cause hepatitis. Hepatitis can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, and other life-threatening conditions. Cirrhosis. This is a hardening of your liver, due to scar tissue. Heavy alcohol use and viruses like hepatitis are common causes of cirrhosis. Diabetes, immune problems, and genetic diseases can also cause the disease.

Keep your liver healthy

There are many steps you can take to keep your liver functioning well and reduce your risk for liver disease:

Is bottled lemon juice as good as fresh?

They are both good sources of vitamin C, folate and potassium. Fresh lemon juice contains significantly more vitamin C than bottled lemon juice.

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How many sit ups a day to get a flat stomach?

Sit ups are great for tightening your core. They strengthen and tone your rectus abdominus, transverse abdominus and oblique abdominal muscles as well as your neck muscles. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends three sets of 8 to 12 repetitions three times per week.

health.clevelandclinic.org - Will Sit-ups Burn Off Your Belly Fat? - Cleveland Clinic

Q: Will sit ups reduce your abdominal fat?

A: No. Sit ups are great for tightening your core. They strengthen and tone your rectus abdominus, transverse abdominus and oblique abdominal muscles as well as your neck muscles. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends three sets of 8 to 12 repetitions three times per week. Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy To burn belly fat, you need 45 to 60 minutes of high-intensity cardiovascular activity (running, playing soccer or basketball, jumping rope, power-walking, etc.) on most days of the week. You also need to reduce your intake of processed foods, fast foods and alcohol. But just because sit ups won’t get rid of your belly fat doesn’t mean you should skip them! Sit ups are essential for strengthening your core — something that’s obvious. But your core is responsible for so much more than those classic “six pack” abs many strive for. A strong core can reduce back pain, improve balance and increase your flexibility. Core muscles also support your hips and pelvis. Finally, a strong core will help you build good posture.

— Medical weight management expert Karen Cooper, DO

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