Sometimes referred to as the great chemical factory of the body, the liver creates, regulates, and stores a variety of substances used by the gastrointestinal system, and it serves a number of important digestive functions.

 

The main digestive chemical synthesized by the liver is bile. During a meal, bile is secreted¹ by liver cells and travels through the hepatic duct system into the small intestine² where it is used to break down fat molecules³.

 

Between meals, bile is stored in the gall⁴ bladder. Bile further serves as a waste disposal system for toxins⁵ removed from the blood by the liver.

 

The liver also plays a major role in the regulation of blood glucose⁶ (blood sugar). The liver synthesizes, dissolves, and stores amino acids, protein, and fat. It stores several important vitamins like B12 and Vitamin A. The liver also disposes of cellular⁷ waste and breaks down harmful substances, like alcohol.

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