Is the liver involved in digestion?

Yes, the liver is involved in digestion. It plays several important roles in the digestive process:

- Production of bile: The liver produces bile, a greenish-yellow fluid that helps in the digestion and absorption of fats. Bile is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine when needed.

- Emulsification of fats: Bile helps in the emulsification of fats, which means breaking down larger fat globules into smaller ones. This increases the surface area of the fat particles, making them easier to be digested by enzymes.

- Absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins: Bile also aids in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) from the small intestine.

- Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats: The liver is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It converts glucose (a simple sugar) into glycogen for storage or into energy. It also breaks down proteins into amino acids and fats into fatty acids.

- Detoxification: The liver helps in detoxifying harmful substances, such as drugs, alcohol, and toxins. These substances are broken down and removed from the body through bile or urine.

Overall, the liver plays a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as in the metabolism and detoxification of various substances.