October is Liver Awareness Month

The American Liver Foundation started a program to teach kids about their liver. Here is some of what they say.

About Your Liver

The liver is the largest organ inside your body. It is located under your ribs on your right side. Your liver weighs about three pounds and is shaped like a football that is flat on one side.
Did you know that your liver can grow back if a part of it is removed?

The liver does lots of important jobs in your body.
Your liver:

* Saves up energy
* Makes bile to help breakdown food
* Keeps pollution from hurting you
* Stops cuts from bleeding for a long time
* Kills germs
* Removes toxic chemicals
* Builds muscle


When people do not take care of their liver
or they have a liver disease, their liver
can become swollen and sick.

Do you know how you can take care of your liver?
You can take care of your liver by:

* Eating healthy foods
* Exercising
* Not smoking, drinking, or using drugs
* Not taking medicines that are not yours
* Seeing a doctor for regular checkups.