The liver is the second largest organ in the body, after the skin. It is located in the upper right region of the abdominal cavity, just below the diaphragm. It is an extremely important organ, being responsible for a sizable number of vital functions in addition to its role in digestion.
Everything that enters the blood from the digestive tract passes through the liver before being transported to other regions in the body. It holds about 13% of the body’s blood supply at any given time.
The liver acts as a dumping site for toxic waste. Insecticides, preservatives and other toxins might build up and impair the liver. Even though a particular toxin may not accumulate in the liver, liver function may suffer if these toxins adversely affect the functioning of other organs, especially the pancreas or kidneys.
Therefore, the liver is also an important protective organ, containing active phagocytes that remove bacteria and other foreign materials from the blood as it passes through the liver.
The liver produces several important blood proteins and other molecules, stores iron and certain vitamins, eliminates old haemoglobin, detoxifies many drugs and toxins, and is the major site for the metabolism of the products produced by the digestion of carbohydrates,
proteins and fats.
Fats cannot be digested without bile, which is made in the liver, stored in the gall bladder and released as needed into the small intestine. Bile is also essential for the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K, the fat soluble vitamins. After digestion, bile acids are reabsorbed by the intestine, returned to the liver and recycled as bile once again.
What is Liver Detoxification?
In this age and time when most food are processed for convenience, the human body and its detoxification systems are easily overloaded. Thousands of chemicals are added to food and hundreds have been identified in drinking water alone! All this can lead to the destruction of delicate vitamins and minerals, which are needed for the detoxification pathways in the liver. The liver must try to cope with every toxic chemical in our environment, as well as damaged fats that are present in processed and fried foods.
As a detoxifier, the liver breaks down or transforms substances like ammonia, metabolic waste, drugs, alcohol and chemicals, so that they can be excreted.
Causes for liver infection:
- Infections with parasites often come from contaminated water supplies found in large cities. Other dangerous organisms may find their way into your gut and blood stream from these sources.
- High loads of unhealthy microorganisms can also come from eating foods that are prepared in conditions of poor hygiene by persons who are carrying bacteria, viruses or parasites on their skin.
- Foods, especially meats that are not fresh or are preserved, also contain a higher bacterial load, which will overwork the liver filter if they are eaten regularly.
If you examine the liver under a microscope, you will see rows of liver cells separated by spaces which act like a filter or sieve, through which the blood stream flows. The liver filter is designed to remove toxic matter such as dead cells, micro-organisms, chemicals, drugs and particulate debris from the blood stream.
Nowadays, it has become highly fashionable for people to detoxify their bodies by fasting or cleansing the bowels with fibre mixtures. Fasting can only be a temporary method of cleansing the body of waste products, and for many people, causes an excessively rapid release of toxins which can cause unpleasant, acute symptoms. The liver filter, like any filter, needs to be cleansed regularly, and it is much easier and safer to do it everyday. This is easily and pleasantly achieved by adopting a daily eating pattern that maintains the liver filter in a healthy clean state.
Although it is crucial to keep the intestines moving regularly and to sweep their walls with high fibre, it is important to remember that the bowels are a channel of elimination and not a cleansing organ. In other words the bowels cannot cleanse, filter or remove toxic wastes from the blood stream. Only the liver can purify the blood stream.
Therefore, an efficient liver detoxification system is vital to health. In order to support this process, it is essential that many key nutrients are included in the diet.
Importance of a Healthy Liver
The liver influences almost every part of the human body. It serves as your body’s internal chemical power plant and acts as a filter to remove alcohol and toxic substances from the blood by converting them into substances that can be excreted from the body, therefore preventing against certain diseases. It’s vital to have this organ perform its role with efficiency because:
- Toxins enter the body every day and the liver has the responsibility of filtering them out of the bloodstream.
- Hormones influencing both our physical and emotional well-being are activated and broken down in the liver.
- Many vitamins, including some in the B complex family rely on the liver to activate them.
- The metabolism of fats and carbohydrates depends on a liver that performs well, which affects energy levels and the body’s ability to use fat for fuel.
Does your liver need extra attention?
People who need to be especially careful about the health of their
liver include those who:
- Eat fatty foods or have a generally poor diet
- Have a poor digestive function
- Need to lower their cholesterol levels
- Use oral contraceptives, Hormone Replacement Therapy or other hormonal drugs
- Drink alcohol on a regular basis
- Are exposed to pesticides, solvents or other environmental pollutants
- Are trying to reduce body fat
Poorly Functioning Liver Possible Signs and Symptoms
- Hepatitis A, B and C – swelling of the liver
- Cirrhosis or scarring of the liver often resulting from excessive alcohol consumption
- Skin pigmentation
- Eczema
- Dark circles under eyes
- Poor gall bladder function
- Constipation
- Fat intolerance
- Itchy skin
- Feeling nauseas
Milk Thistle (Silybum marinum) is a tall plant with a thistle-like appearance. Native to Europe, the Milk Thistle plant commonly grows from 2 to 7 feet in height, with spiny leaves and reddish-purple, thistle-shaped flowers. Native to Europe, Milk Thistle has a long history of use as both a food and a medicine. At the turn of the twentieth century, English gardeners grew Milk Thistle to use its leaves like lettuce (after cutting off the spines), the stalks like asparagus, the roasted seeds like coffee, and the roots (soaked overnight) like oyster plant. The seeds and leaves of Milk Thistle were used for medicinal purposes as well, such as treating jaundice and increasing breast milk production.
What is Milk Thistle used for?
Milk Thistle is used as a complementary treatment for liver problems, particularly long-term (chronic) hepatitis and cirrhosis and inflammation of the bile ducts (cholangitis). Research on silymarin suggests that it may protect the liver from inflammation.
Research in animals and preliminary research in humans suggests that silymarin is an antioxidant, which helps protect the body from cell-destroying substances called free radicals. Silymarin also may reduce inflammation and block the effects of toxins that harm the liver.
Based on the extensive folk use of Milk Thistle in cases of jaundice, European medical researchers began to investigate its medicinal effects. It is now widely used to treat alcoholic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver poisoning, and viral hepatitis, as well as to protect the liver in general from the effects of liver-toxic medications.
According to some research, treatment produces improvements in symptoms of chronic liver disease, such as nausea, weakness, loss of appetite, fatigue, and pain. Liver enzymes as measured by blood tests may improve, and if a liver biopsy is performed, there may be improvements on the cellular level. Milk Thistle is taken in tablets, capsules or as a tincture (combined with alcohol).
Silybin
The active chemical compound in Milk Thistle is silybin, which functions as an antioxidant and is one of the most potent liver protection agents known. Silybin is a part of the mixture flavonoids referred to as silymarin. Clinical trials have proven silybin to be effective in protecting the liver from toxic chemicals.
What is Dandelion?
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is also known as lion’s tooth, blowball, cankerwort, priest’s crown, swine snout, and wild endive. The plant grows to a height of about 12 inches, producing spatula-like leaves and yellow flowers that bloom year round. Upon maturation, the flower turns into the characteristic puffball containing seeds that are dispersed in the wind. The leaves and roots are used in herbal supplements. It is a good food source and its leaves are often used in salads. Its dried ground roots have traditionally been used as a coffee substitute and with a vitamin A content higher than the levels found in carrots, it appears to be very nutritious.
Health benefits of Dandelion
For centuries, dandelion root has been regarded as an effective, gentle laxative. The roots and leaves are most often used to treat liver conditions such as jaundice and hepatitis, and to encourage normal digestion. The yellow flower also contains beneficial compounds. All parts of the plant have high concentrations of vitamin A, choline, and vitamin B that stimulates the liver.
Dandelion has been used for its nutritional value as well as for water retention, regulation of blood glucose, upset stomach, urinary tract infections, kidney and bladder stones, liver and gallbladder complaints, and loss of appetite.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a slightly bitter spice taken from the root of a plant in the ginger family. This spice is used to flavour baked goods, curries, fish, poultry, gravies, salads, and dressings. In the bright yellow pigment of Turmeric are curcuminoids, which are antioxidants with the property of scavenging the free radical nitric oxide. The action of Turmeric is not only in blocking nitric oxide directly, but also the enzyme that produces it. Curcuminoids also appear to have a role in attacking invading micro-organisms.
How to choose a herbal supplement to support liver health
If you’re choosing Milk Thistle or Dandelion extracts, make sure it is standardised. This ensures:
- product is consistent in the concentration of active ingredients,and
- that you are receiving a product that has been thoroughly researched and carefully developed for your health.
Who should not take Milk Thistle?
- Milk Thistle may inhibit the metabolism of certain drugs. Before taking the herb, ask your doctor or pharmacist if any drugs you are taking have a direct interaction with Milk Thistle.
- Before taking Milk Thistle, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical conditions, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements.
- Do not take Milk Thistle without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or intending to become pregnant. It is not known whether Milk Thistle will harm an unborn baby.
- Do not take Milk Thistle without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether Milk Thistle will harm a nursing infant.
Milk thistle has the potential to raise or lower levels of many drugs, including ones used for HIV infection. Therefore, people with HIV/AIDS who are taking anti-HIV drugs should consult their doctors and pharmacists about possible interactions with milk thistle.
Who should not take Dandelion?
- Do not take Dandelion without first consulting your doctor if you:
- have gall bladder problems
- are diabetic or take medication to control blood sugar levels
- take a diuretic (water pill)
- take an anticoagulant (blood thinner)
- You may not be able to take Dandelion, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
- Before taking Dandelion, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants) or if you have any other medical conditions or take other
- medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Dandelion may not be recommended in some situations
- Do not take Dandelion if you are pregnant, intending to become pregnant or breastfeeding.
Possible side effects of Dandelion:
- Although rare, allergic reactions to Dandelion may occur. Stop taking Dandelion and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including
- difficulty in breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives
- stomach upset
- rashes
- heartburn
- Drink plenty of clean and purified water.
- Avoid or limit alcohol consumption to reduce any further liver destruction.
- Avoid or limit your exposure to environmental toxins, including exhaust fumes as well as pesticides, pollutants and solvents.
- Incorporate a diet low in fat and high in fibre.
- Take antioxidants such as vitamins A,C, and E.
- Take herbal supplements to support a healthy liver.
www.mayoclinic.com
www.naturalfacts.com.au
www.liverfoundation.org
www.yalenewhavenhealth.org
www.butler.org
www.liverdoctor.com
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