Functions of Liver

Main Functions of The Liver

1. Cleans Toxins Out of the Blood
   The liver converts toxins into less harmful form before removing them from the bloodstream. Blood passes through the liver carrying nutrients, medications or even toxic substances. These substances are processed, altered or even detoxified.² One example being alcohol.
   Fun fact: East Asians (Chinese, Korean and Japanese) are more likely to flush after consuming alcohol. This is due to the fact that East Asians have lower levels of the enzyme in the liver responsible for metabolising alcohol.³
   
   
2. Stores Glycogen & Vitamins
   After a meal, sugar in the blood spikes. The liver stores the excess sugar in the form of glucagon. When the sugar level in the blood falls between meals, the liver releases sugar.²
   Liver helps store vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K and Vitamin B12. Liver also stores minerals such as iron and copper.²
   
   
3. Makes Bile
   Liver produces bile which aids in the digestion of fats in the small intestine. Bile emulsifies and breaks fats into smaller globules. This speeds up the digestion of fats. Without bile, fats cannot be digested properly.
   
   
4. Blood Clotting
   Did you know? The blood clotting mechanism that helps you to stop a bleeding also involves the liver? Liver produces blood clotting factors, which are proteins involved in the formation of clot.²
   
   
5. Production of Cholesterol
   Your liver produces cholesterol. Your body needs cholesterol for the synthesis of certain hormones, bile acids and even Vitamin D. Liver also produces proteins that carry cholesterol and other lipids in the bloodstream.>¹ The liver not only produces but also gets rid of cholesterol through bile.
   
   

Knowing how important the liver is to our body, we need to pay more attention to the health of our liver.