The liver is the central laboratory of the body. It stores, produces, breaks down and releases several substances into the bloodstream. These substances are vital to the functions of the body.

Up to 1,5 litres of blood flow through the liver each minute. Much of this blood comes from the digestive system, as all the nutrients absorbed there have to pass through the liver.

The liver also stores various substances, such as excess sugar. If your blood sugar falls, your liver releases glucose into the bloodstream. This is especially important for brain function, because the brain is rich in nerve cells that depend on glucose as their main source of energy.

The liver also absorbs glucose from the blood and transforms it into fatty acids. These fatty acids are stored in the form of body fat. The liver is also able to store some vitamins and iron.

The liver also regulates the amount of amino acids in the blood. It breaks down the amino acid parts of unnecessary proteins, and converts the toxic ammonia produced during this process into urea. The urea then passes through the bloodstream to the kidneys and is eliminated from the body in the urine.