What substance is produced by the liver and helps to digest fats?

The substance produced by the liver that aids in the digestion of fats is bile. Bile is a digestive fluid that is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine when fat is present. It contains bile salts, which emulsify fats, breaking them into smaller droplets. This emulsification increases the surface area of the fats, making it easier for digestive enzymes to break them down into fatty acids and glycerol, which can then be absorbed by the intestinal lining.

Cholesterol, while also produced by the liver, is a type of lipid but does not play a direct role in the digestion of fats. Glucose is a simple sugar used for energy and is not related to fat digestion. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels, not fat digestion. Thus, bile is the key substance from the liver that facilitates fat digestion effectively.