Liver Problems

The liver is the body’s detoxifier and nutrient delivery system.  It is responsible for filtering nutrients and toxins from the bloodstream.  Nutrients filtered from the bloodstream are delivered from the liver to tissues in need of sustenance.  Toxins are processed out of the liver or stored there for eventual elimination from the body.  Unfortunately, the liver is often the most overworked organ in the body.  This is largely due to the increasingly toxic environment we live in.  The more overloaded the liver is with toxins, the less efficiently it works to detoxify our bloodstream and tissues.

What are toxins?

Toxins are poisonous substances that are capable of causing disease when introduced into body tissues.  Exotoxins (toxins from outside the body), are introduced to us daily from cigarette smoke, alcoholic beverages, medications, household chemicals, dry cleaned clothing, processed food, car exhaust, pesticides, factory exhaust, etc.  Endotoxins are toxins made inside the body by bad bacteria in the digestive system.  When digestion is poor, bad bacteria in the intestines create toxins that can be reabsorbed through the small intestine.  These toxins can damage the intestinal lining and increase its permeability. Increased intestinal permeability allows more toxins and larger molecules (that are not normally able to cross the barrier) to enter the bloodstream and gain access to the liver and other parts of the body.

What is the Liver’s Function?

The liver produces blood proteins, clotting factors, thousands of hormones (including cholesterol, testosterone and estrogens), more than 2,000 enzymes, regulates blood sugar levels and processes nutrients, drugs and other materials that enter the bloodstream.  Once the liver processes these materials, it lets them pass, stores them or breaks them down to eliminate them from the body.

What is bile?

Bile serves as a carrier medium for the elimination of toxins from the liver.  The liver produces approximately 1 quart of bile every day.  Bile consists of cholesterol, used red blood cells, lecithin and broken down toxins.  Bile is a liquid that is stored in the gall bladder and only released when fat is present in the small intestine.  Bile is secreted into the small intestine where it binds with fiber and is eliminated through the rectum.

How does the liver detoxify the blood?

The liver plays several roles in detoxification: it filters the blood to remove large particles, synthesizes and secretes bile, and enzymatically disassembles chemicals and toxins.  The liver is a large filter that sifts through 2 quarts of blood every minute that is loaded with bacteria, endotoxins, immune system waste and other toxic substances.  The liver clears bacteria and other substances from the blood before it re-enters general circulation.  When the liver is damaged, the filtration system breaks down, and toxicity increases.  The result is a number of uncomfortable symptoms, from headaches to general fatigue.

How to cleanse your liver

Nearly everyone can benefit from periodically cleansing the liver; either for prevention or recovery.  An annual or biannual liver cleanse can be helpful in maintaining or regaining good health.

There are several ways to help support liver health.  AN herbal liver cleanse can be the first step. IN addition, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, organic fish, chicken and eggs ensures that the liver will get the nutrients it needs to detoxify toxins and chemicals.  Liver supporting vegetables to juice and drink include beets, spinach, carrots, cabbage and cucumbers.

While greasy fried foods should be avoided, fish oil and flax oil are highly recommended while cleansing the liver.  Olive oil can be used for cooking