One of the many functions of the liver is to assist the digestive system, specifically by processing nutrients absorbed from our small intestines.

When digested nutrients are broken down in the intestines, they are transported through the hepatic portal vein to the liver.

Once these nutrients reach the liver, they are filtered before being transported throughout the body to our other organs.

This ensures that toxic or unnecessary substances are not being transported throughout the body when they shouldn’t be.

Likewise, the liver is the primary organ involved in both the digestion and production of fats and simple sugars.

Specifically, simple sugars are broken down by large sugar molecules known as glycogen – once broken down, the smaller sugar molecules can be transported throughout the body and used for energy when needed.

Essentially, you can think of the liver as the body’s ‘chemical factory’ – it processes nutrients for the rest of the body, and creates albumin, a protein which transports hormones, drugs, or fatty acid particles where they are needed (1).

The liver’s role in the digestion of fats and cholesterol, as well as nutrient absorption is mainly due to its production of bile.

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Another specific function of the liver is its production of bile – a yellowish-green to dark brown fluid composed of salts, bilirubin cholesterol, water, and bile salts.

Bile acids play a major role in overall sugar and fat metabolism, and are formed by cholesterol catabolism in the liver.

Once produced in the liver, bile is released to the first part of our small intestine (duodenum), or stored in the gallbladder during fasting, where it can be used later in response to a meal.

Research over the last couple decades has outlined the five major functions of bile acid production, showing just how important it is (2).

Liver diseases do exist that dysregulate the normal flow of bile from the liver – the main one being cholestatic liver disease.

Such dysregulation leads to high levels of bile acids in the liver, which can eventually result in severe liver damage due to inflammation and eventually hepatocyte death (4).

While further research needs to be carried out on the efficacy of bile acids to treat metabolic disorders (such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, etc.), studies do indicate bile acids may be useful in improving fat/cholesterol metabolism and improving glucose homeostasis in humans (4). One secondary bile acid (UDCA, or UrsodiolTM) has even been approved by the FDA for the treatment of some liver disorders, and has been shown to dramatically improve liver function (5).

One review article suggests bile acids may even make you live longer (the jury is still out on this one, though) (6).

So, what are some ways to manage bile acid function, keep your cholesterol/fat metabolism in check and maintain liver health?

For starter’s many of the liver pathologies associated with bile acid complications are related genetically.

Drug and alcohol usage may be causal of cholestatic liver disease, though, so limiting usage and the burden those substances have on the liver may be helpful (7).

Natural substances may improve bile acid regulation in the liver and rest of the body as well.

One of these substances in particular is beetroot.

One clinical study on beetroot supplementation found that beet leaf/beet powder supplementation reduced gallbladder wall thickness and volume compared to the placebo group, indicating the supplement may improve blood circulation (and thus, better filtration throughout the body) to improve gallbladder and liver health. The study included 42 participants (8).

Another study found that beets have binding properties to bile acids to prevent the build-up of secondary bile acids in the gallbladder.

The researchers proposed that this may prevent recirculation of the bile acids, leading to less fat and cholesterol absorption (9).

The liver is a multi-functional organ in our body, and consistent declines in overall health can drastically affect its ability to perform these functions.

One of these, as discussed in this article, is absorption and digestion of nutrients. Digestion is mainly regulated by the production of bile, a liquid that processes fats, cholesterol, and much more.

As a final note, if you have any reason to believe bile production may be low (have a hard time digesting fatty meals?) taking a look at your cholesterol and triglyceride levels with your primary physician might be a good first step to help.