Your liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your body. It performs hundreds of important jobs every day to help keep you healthy. It filters harmful substances from your blood, helps your body digest food by producing bile, stores energy for when you need it, and processes vitamins and nutrients. Your liver also helps fight infections and plays an important role in controlling blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Although the liver is very good at repairing itself, ongoing damage from conditions such as obesity, excess alcohol, viral hepatitis, or type 2 diabetes can lead to scarring (fibrosis) and liver disease. Looking after your liver through a healthy lifestyle and attending liver health checks if you are at risk can help detect problems early, when they are often easier to manage.
Last reviewed: 16 July 2026