BODY TALK: Be Kind To Your Liver !
How many of us think about our liver regularly? Not many - few of us think about our internal organs but internal health and vitality is essential to how we feel, look and function everyday. The liver is one of the most important organs in the body. We can't live without it yet not many of us know how to keep it healthy. In fact, many of us don't know what condition our liver is in. So here's some information to get you up to date on your liver.
A healthy liver weighs about 3 pounds and is the largest organ in the body. It is a 'workhorse' that regulates approximately 1000 chemical functions. That's a tough workload to carry. Without it we would die in 24 hours; yet for all the liver does it remains overlooked and largely abused by our modern diet and lifestyle practices. A few of its numerous functions are listed below.
The Liver:
- Converts food into stored energy for fuel
- Converts food into chemicals necessary for the functioning of the entire body
- Acts as a filter to remove all impurities from the body unless it is overwhelmed by toxins at which point it becomes weakened - It detoxifies medication, environmental pollutants, toxins, poisons, xenoestrogens and alcohol and then processes them for removal
- Regulates blood sugar levels
- Breaks down ammonia and creates urea for elimination by the kidneys
- Create bile to metabolise fats and allow the absorption of fat soluble nutrients
- Manufactures blood, platelets and clotting factors, protein as well as 1000 different enzymes
- Regulates all hormones and metabolism
- Essential for hormone conversions
- Manufactures approximately 50% of the body's cholesterol. Bad cholesterol occurs when saturated fats are consumed. When healthy fats such as essential fatty acids etc. are consumed the liver manufactures healthy cholesterol which is essential to the body.
Poor diets - especially high fat, high carbohydrate and high salt diets, too much alcohol intake, smoking, drugs, a lack of sleep, a lack of exercise, taking medications and eating manufactured foods as well as environmental pollutions all affect this sensitive organ by filling it with toxins, weakening it and sabotaging its functions.
The liver does not really need to be overburdened. In addition, as we get older the liver becomes less efficient. However, it is a forgiving organ that has an amazing ability to regenerate itself once we eat correctly and live a healthy lifestyle.
Compare the photo of a healthy human liver on the left with varying stages of liver disease on the right.
A healthy, dark red, smooth human liver. Truly Varying stages of liver disease showing fibrous tissue,
a beautiful organ... scarring, discoloration (tan yellow - brown) and gross enlargement.
The Effects of an Unhealthy Lifestyle on the Liver
The liver does not really need to be overburdened. In addition, as we get older the liver becomes less efficient. However, it is a forgiving organ that has an amazing ability to regenerate itself once we eat correctly and live a healthy lifestyle.
Compare the photo of a healthy human liver on the left with varying stages of liver disease on the right.
A healthy, dark red, smooth human liver. Truly Varying stages of liver disease showing fibrous tissue,
a beautiful organ... scarring, discoloration (tan yellow - brown) and gross enlargement.
The Effects of an Unhealthy Lifestyle on the Liver
1. Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis of the liver occurs when scar tissue or fibrous develop. This blocks the functions of the liver in different areas and causes blockages of blood flow causes the area to eventually die.
Some Causes of Cirrhosis are:
Excessive Alcohol Intake
We all know that too much alcohol is toxic to the liver. Cirrhosis is mainly caused from excessive alcohol however, it also occurs from the amount of medications and drugs introduced into the body. This is why persons who take medications should always enquire about the effects medications will have on the liver. In addition, consulting a naturopath, osteopath or nutritional therapist to help detoxify the liver regularly from toxins due to medications is a healthy step to take.
Other causes are medical conditions that cause damage to the liver such as:
Chronic viral hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Both require medical care.
Autoimmune chronic active hepatitis occurs when the immune system automatically attacks the liver.
Certain metabolic and inherited disorders such as haemochromatosis which deposits excessive iron in the liver. Sickle cell anaemia which can also cause liver scarring, obstruction of blood flow to and through the liver and fibrosis (not in all cases).
When medical conditions are the underlying factors of liver dysfunction, even more attention needs to be paid to caring for and being kind to the liver such as drinking lots of water and eating extra fruits and vegetables to help cleanse and supply nutrients that are not destroyed by cooking. There are also liver cleanses that should not be done unless under the strict supervision of a health profession in cases where chronic illness is involved.
Early cirrhosis generally has no symptoms but as the condition progresses symptoms occur:
A lack of energy, fatigue
Nausea
Lack of appetite
Weight Loss
Late stages of cirrhosis result in:
Jaundice - the skin, mucous membranes, eyes and nails may appear to have a yellow tinge or become grossly discoloured. The skin may also darken.
Spider Naevus - a medical term to describe a small area of skin or spot that becomes surrounded by fine blood vessels
Male Breast Enlargement / Shrinking of the Testes - men have low levels of estrogen and progesterone in the same way women have low levels of testosterone. The liver destroys female hormones in men but liver damage from cirrhosis allows the hormones estrogen and progesterone to accumulate in men.
Fluid Retention: The liver along with the kidneys also rids the body of excess fluid but cirrhosis interferes with this function causing fluid retention or oedema of the tissues.
Very late stages of cirrhosis result in:
Stomach Ulcers
Varicose veins that leak blood
Vomiting of blood occurs due to the above reasons
Hepatic Encephalopathy - As toxins circulate in the blood free due to liver damage, they may affect brain function affective cognitive function, causing drowsiness, confusion and eventual coma.
Other causes are medical conditions that cause damage to the liver such as:
Chronic viral hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Both require medical care.
Autoimmune chronic active hepatitis occurs when the immune system automatically attacks the liver.
Certain metabolic and inherited disorders such as haemochromatosis which deposits excessive iron in the liver. Sickle cell anaemia which can also cause liver scarring, obstruction of blood flow to and through the liver and fibrosis (not in all cases).
When medical conditions are the underlying factors of liver dysfunction, even more attention needs to be paid to caring for and being kind to the liver such as drinking lots of water and eating extra fruits and vegetables to help cleanse and supply nutrients that are not destroyed by cooking. There are also liver cleanses that should not be done unless under the strict supervision of a health profession in cases where chronic illness is involved.
Early cirrhosis generally has no symptoms but as the condition progresses symptoms occur:
A lack of energy, fatigue
Nausea
Lack of appetite
Weight Loss
Late stages of cirrhosis result in:
Jaundice - the skin, mucous membranes, eyes and nails may appear to have a yellow tinge or become grossly discoloured. The skin may also darken.
Spider Naevus - a medical term to describe a small area of skin or spot that becomes surrounded by fine blood vessels
Male Breast Enlargement / Shrinking of the Testes - men have low levels of estrogen and progesterone in the same way women have low levels of testosterone. The liver destroys female hormones in men but liver damage from cirrhosis allows the hormones estrogen and progesterone to accumulate in men.
Fluid Retention: The liver along with the kidneys also rids the body of excess fluid but cirrhosis interferes with this function causing fluid retention or oedema of the tissues.
Very late stages of cirrhosis result in:
Stomach Ulcers
Varicose veins that leak blood
Vomiting of blood occurs due to the above reasons
Hepatic Encephalopathy - As toxins circulate in the blood free due to liver damage, they may affect brain function affective cognitive function, causing drowsiness, confusion and eventual coma.
2. Fatty Liver
Unlike its name, Fatty Liver has nothing to do with eating too much fat. The condition involves excess fat inside the liver cells. Causes include low protein diets, poor nutrition, starvation, hormone disorders, obesity and alcoholism. Fatty liver is associated with large amounts of free radical formation, inflammation of the liver and if not corrected, eventually serious life threatening liver disease.
Being kind to your liver means understanding what it needs, avoiding those activities that harm it and supplying it with the right nutrients for optimum function. Here's how to become your liver's best friend:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________Being kind to your liver means understanding what it needs, avoiding those activities that harm it and supplying it with the right nutrients for optimum function. Here's how to become your liver's best friend:
Drink Plenty Of Water
Your liver will greatly appreciate being flushed daily with pure or filtered water. We've all heard that drinking eight glasses of water a day (or more) is essential for good health ... there's a good reason for this. Your cells crave fresh, pure water as they need it to breathe, to regenerate, to multiply, to exchange gasses, to excrete toxins and to live longer. The liver uses water to flush itself constantly, thereby removing toxins and other harmful substances from the body's internal system. Picture this: If a person drinks mainly sodas, manufactured fruit juices (may consist of fruity flavours made from chemicals, added sugar/ chemical sweeteners and water) or mostly tea or coffee ... what is the liver supposed to do with that? ... except begin the task of removing the toxins in these liquids and ending up with less water than it needs? The truth is, there is no replacement for pure water although it has been said many times;
'As long as one drinks fluids throughout the day, the body will be hydrated and benefit.' - Nothing could be further from the truth.
Also avoid chlorinated and florinated water as these contain chemicals that burden the liver.
The Diet:
As mentioned, a fatty, salty, high carbohydrate diet is directly linked to liver degeneration. Your liver benefits from protein, minerals, vitamins, plant enzymes, antioxidants and flavonoids to keep healthy. Keeps saturated fats to a minimum! This is a good way to boost the liver's strength for its workload. By avoiding an unhealthy diet and eating fresh, earth grown nutrients - you are not only nourishing the liver but preventing many toxins from attacking the body's internal system. Try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables to regenerate liver cells and eliminate as many processed and manufactured foods as possible. Eat fish and lean meats. Essential fatty acids are important.
Detoxing
Chlorophyll is a powerful way to detox your system. By cleansing your blood and internal system, your liver can focus on getting the job done instead of concentrating on removing toxins 24 hours a day - 7 days a week. Give your liver a rest and detoxify your system. Chlorophyll contains the green substance in plants that is the result of an energy producing process known as photosynthesis. The important thing to remember is, as chlorophyll targets damaged cells and tissues and helps to heal a number of unhealthy conditions in the body, the liver's job becomes remarkably easier creating a healthy internal system.
Chlorophyll's Health Benefits:
Anti Inflammatory - essential for all inflammatory illnessesAnti viral
Anti bacterial
Anti Fungal
Anti carcinogenic - prevents the formation of cancerous cells and fights against cancerous cells
Antioxidant - fights against free radicals that causes oxidation or the 'rot and rust' of cells and tissues
Strengthens the immune system
Fights infections
Detoxifies the blood, lymph, cells, tissues and organs
Boosts the formation red blood cell haemoglobin and is essential for anaemia
Soothes the digestive disorders such as ulcers, heartburn, bloating etc
Deodorises the body internally
Boosts energy and is good for fatigue and illnesses associated with chronic fatigue
Acts as a mild laxative and is good for cleansing the colon
Helps to lower blood cholesterol
Mild diuretic
Helps to balance the hormones
Helps pain from fibromyalgia and other musculo-skeletal disorders
If you have a juice extractor ... juicing green veggies is fantastic and you will feel the difference.
Milk Thistle
In alternative health, milk thistle (silymarin) is used extensively to support, protect and regenerate the liver. This is due to its potent antioxidant properties and the fact that it specifically regenerates cells and tissues in the liver. In a review of clinical studies using milk thistle, Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D writes:'Not only will milk thistle arrest the course of the disease, but it will stimulate the individual liver cells to become sites for local regeneration of liver tissue. Over time, complete restoration of the liver is possible.'
Dandelion & Parsley Combination
Contains herbs historically used to cleanse, detoxify and nourish the liver
Liver Health & Weight Loss
A healthy liver not overloaded with toxins can be the body's most efficient fat burning organ because it is so highly metabolic. Many studies have demonstrated a direct link between obesity, liver health and weight loss. To determine liver health researchers measure the levels of certain enzymes within the liver. Elevated liver enzymes are usually taken to indicate poor liver function and in many cases are associated with excess body fat. Here's a round up of some of the research.
- In an assessment of liver health in 534 moderately obese (30% - 50% over their ideal weight) of non drinkers, 24% had abnormal liver enzyme levels and 47% had fatty livers (hepatic steatosis). This study clearly indicates that moderately obese people frequently suffer from liver dysfunction and don't know it.
- Research from the University of Occupational and Environmental Health in Kitakyushu, Japan studied liver function and obesity in 1,591 people over a ten year period. Their conclusion was that 'obesity is more closely related to liver dysfunction than to any other abnormality.'
- At the Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group at Stirling University in Scotland, researchers found evidence that the body's metabolism does not function properly in obese people.
- Researchers from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York discovered that elevated liver enzymes are frequently found in healthy obese people.
- Russian researchers demonstrated that when people lose a considerable amount of weight, their liver health and function improves. Patients who lost 54% of their excess body weight by following a high protein diet showed the most improvement.
Visit our online health store at www.natureshealthandnutrition.co.uk for Liquid Chlorophyll, Dandelion and Parsley and Milk Thistle today or click on the links below.