Love Your Liver

         The liver manufactures 13,000 different chemicals and maintains 2,000 internal enzyme systems. At the same time, it filters hundreds of litres of blood and produces almost a litre of bile every day. Usually, it’s crammed with alcohol, fat, caffeine, processed food and cigarette smoke that all damage it. Luckily, it is the only organ known to readily regenerate itself. However, abused to the point of damage, the resulting imbalance resonates throughout the whole body system, creating ever larger health problems if left unchecked.

          This is a comprehensive list of symptoms, indicators, and diseases that surround an unhealthy liver:

abnormal bleeding/ acne, skin rashes, eczema, psoriasis /auto-immune diseases/cancer/chronic depression/chronic fatigue syndrome/chronic food, chemical, or environmental allergies/chronic headaches/ indigestion, bloating, and gas/chronic insomnia/cirrhosis of the liver/constipation/Crohn’s disease or colitis/difficulty concentrating/fatty liver/fibromyalgia/gallstones or gallbladder removal/heart problems/heavy metal toxicity/hepatitis A, B, or C/high cholesterol/high triglycerides/jaundice/low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)/low energy/low sex drive/migraines/multiple chemical hypersensitivity/osteoarthritis/overweight in excess of 20 lbs (9 kg) or obesity/past surgery on intestines/recreational drug and alcohol use/senility/dementia/thyroid problems/type 1 and 2 diabetes/yeast overgrowth (candida)

         Proven to be damaged by stress and called the emotional house in Chinese medicine. It makes scientific sense that happy people heal faster and are generally healthier when we consider the liver’s health. Liver health is fundamental to all health. It’s name “liver” derived from Anglo-Saxon “lifer” or English “life”, it is inextricably key to living well. We undervalue this amazing part of our bodies and should really pay it some reverence.



Here’s a brief, superficial, summary about the functions that the liver performs for you every single day...


The Liver’s Role in Digestion
         Hepatocytes, a type of cell found in the liver, produce bile. Bile is released into the digestive tract in order for the body to absorb fats. We require certain fats, especially Essential Fatty Acids for many biological functions, including digestion itself and also for optimum brain function. The liver processes the digested food from the intestine and controls levels of fats, amino acids and glucose in the blood. Diabetes can result when this function is out of whack along with the foundations for a plethora of other digestive disorders.
         The liver also stores Iron, and Vitamins such as B12 & A, and various other non water soluble nutrients. Not only is the liver responsible for breaking down foods, it also stores and turns food into energy when it’s required.  Foreign toxins introduced to the stomach such as heavy metals, pollutants, pesticides and alcohol, and drugs, especially, acetaminophen, anti-biotics, and contraceptives are neutralized in the liver and processed to be assimilated by the body.


Your Liver Fights Infection
         Your liver plays a vital role in fighting infections, particularly infections arising in the bowel. It does this by mobilising part of your body’s defence mechanism called the macrophage system. The liver contains over half of the body’s supply of macrophages, known as Kuppfer cells, which literally destroy any bacteria that they come into contact with. Bile excreted by the liver also acts as an antibacterial in the small intestine.


A Major Factor in Circulatory Health
         The liver is a major site of thromobopoietin production. Thrombopoietin is a hormone that regulates the production of platelets by the bone marrow. Platelets are found in the blood and are responsible for proper blood clotting and triggering the healing process of wounds. Platelets also play a significant role in the repair and regeneration of connective tissue and potentially modulate inflammatory processes by interacting with white blood cells.
         The liver produces albumin a major component of blood serum. Albumin is essential for maintaining the osmotic pressure needed for proper distribution of body fluids in intravascular compartments and body tissues, playing a role in water retention. It also acts as a carrier for hydrophobic steroid hormones like testosterone and hydrophobic vitamins such as A, E and K. It also acts as a carrier protein for iron containing hemin and fatty acids.


         And so, ... you ask, ...what is one to do to help out this hugely overburdened organ, the liver? We should, ideally be starting with an all juice/raw vegetable and fruit fast for a few days, 3-5. Organic fruits and veggies are best, the pesticides found on non-organic produce are a poison to you and tax your liver, immensely. After your fast you should continue to avoid animal protein, especially fish, all fats, processed sugars, caffeine and for personal reasons I recommend omitting wheat products. You should reintroduce slowly, paying close attention to your body’s reaction to the foods. Simple food is best. Don’t eat anything that has a paragraph of chemical ingredients.
         Be sure to include the following in your diet:

bananas, kelp, alfalfa sprouts and green leafy vegetables,

soybeans, chickpeas, beans (black beans are one of the best) also include almonds,

and other nuts, brewer’s yeast, grains and seeds,

goat’s milk and products made from goat’s milk,

 black strap molasses, brown or long grain rice

          Known, especially, for their benefit to the liver are beets, carrots, apples, artichokes and lemons (I do the juice of a full lemon in a glass of distilled water first thing in the morning).

         Herbals have been proven to improve liver function. It has long been known by European cultures that “bitters” help to stimulate the digestion. These “bitters are, in fact, choleretics, that help to stimulate bile production. Dandelion root, chicory, and vervain are all choleretics. Silymarin found in Milk Thistle is best liver protector, known to also stimulate re-growth of the liver.
         The following is a list of herbs that are known for their benefits to the liver…

Milk Thistle/ Dandelion/Burdock/Barberry/

Yellow Dock/Celandine/Golden Seal/Wild Oregon Grape/

Red Clover/Shizandra/Black Radish

        Taurine, an amino acid, is beneficial in supplement form throughout the liver healing process as well as raw liver extract and Lecithin.
        Aloe Vera Juice (2oz/day) is the first step to healing any digestive disorder followed by regular periodic use to maintain it’s benefits.
        I also recommend a month of liver support herbals, either in a prepared “Liver Cleanse” formula, ready to go, from your local drug store or another option, especially, if you find the whole ordeal confusing, but are impressed by the importance of liver health is to contact me, Rebecca Belanger for a play by play e-mail supported regimen, with an herbal formula designed especially for you, taking into consideration your specific state of health, blood type, and lifestyle…


                                                                                         Yours, BB