The liver is the largest organ of the body and the functions are so numerous and important that we cannot live without it. Here's a run-down:
1. It produces heparin, prothrombin, and thrombin (controls bleeding).
2. Its Kupffer's cells eat up bacteria and worn-out blood cells.
3. It stores excess carbohydrates as glycogen (and releases it when the body's sugar goes down).
4. It stores copper, iron, and vitamins A, D, E, K.
5. It stores or transforms poisons (like alcohol and some drugs) into less harmful substances.
6. It produces bile salts that emulsify or break down fats.
Hope that helps. :)
