What are the functions of the liver?
The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile, which helps to break down fats, preparing them for further digestion and absorption. All of the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. The liver processes this blood and breaks down the nutrients and drugs in the blood into forms that are easier to use for the rest of the body. More than 500 vital functions have been identified with the liver. Some of the more well-known functions include the following: • production of bile, which helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine during digestion • production of certain proteins for blood plasma • production of cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body • conversion of excess glucose into glycogen for storage (This glycogen can later be converted back to glucose for energy.) • regulation of blood levels of amino acids, which form the building blocks of proteins • processing of h
