Dietary Counseling and Consultations

Liver Health

Liver simply amazing

Published May 19th, 2010 in Liver Health

Liver simply amazing

By Tammera J. Karr, MSHN, CNC, BCIH, CNW, CNH

Most of us spend very little time thinking about our liver or any internal organs for that matter. In our pursuit for longevity, research talks about the brain and heart; and for good reason, but the livers vital role is as critical to health and longevity as the heart and the brain.

Just where is the liver in relation to everything else, well if you’re an anatomy student you can probably lay your hand right on it, most of us can; the liver is located under the bottom ribs on the right side of your abdomen, only inches from your heart, kidneys and gut. The liver is the largest internal organ and the second largest next to the skin, it comprises 2.5% of body weight and is the only organ able to regenerate after injury or illness.  The liver participates in functions associated with the cardiovascular, digestive, excretory systems and metabolism.

The liver stores and filters the blood to remove infectious organisms, and processes approximately three pints of blood every minute.

Most blood arrives at the liver direct from the intestines via the portal vein carrying dietary nutrients and toxins – the remaining blood arrives at the liver via the hepatic artery. The liver is the primary organ for detoxification of toxic chemicals that enter the body through skin, respiration and ingestion; it is responsible for the metabolism of 90% of ingested alcohol, 25% of basal metabolism and for the conversion of stored glycogen into glucose for release into the bloodstream. So if your liver is bogged down with high fructose corn sweetener, medications and chemicals you are increasing your risk factors for type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, hormone disruption and obesity.

For those with thyroid disease, approximately 80% of Triiodothyronine (T3) is produced in the liver from the conversion of Thyroxine (T4) to T3 and T3 accounts for 20% of thyroid hormone production.  Triiodothyronine (T3) is approximately ten times more potent than Thyroxine (T4). That means having a healthy liver is central to hormone production and utilization, and not just of thyroid but of all hormones, insulin, testosterone, progesterone, estrogens (you have more than one), melatonin, DHEA…. Get the idea?

The liver stores several vitamins and minerals for the body to use; cobalt, 15% of the body’s copper,  manganese, ferritin (the endogenous form of iron), coenzyme Q10, biotin, folic acid, vitamins  A,C,D, E, K, and B1,B2, B5, B6, and B12  all concentrate in the liver. But that’s not all – endogenous phospholipids (healthy fats), and proteins are manufactured in the liver as well as cholesterol – vital for the protection of the brain, heart and hormones.

Liver malfunction may cause; Adult acne, Rosacea, Halitosis (bad breath), and Psoriasis.

Ailments that cause liver malfunction

Intestinal Permeability may be an underlying cause of liver malfunction.  This occurs from the additional workload placed on the liver in the detoxification of antigens that enter into the body as a result of poor gut health, this is especially important for children and adults with gluten sensitivity and autism. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) a form of the serious autoimmune disease Lupus Erythematosus (LE) and Hepatitis A, B and C infections cause degeneration and death of the liver. Additionally impaired liver function may occur as a result of adrenal insufficiency and gluten sensitivity.

People with liver ailments should not consume; Carnitine, smart drugsAdrafinil, Propranolol only with caution, Xanthinol Nicotinate, the herbs Coltsfoot , Licorice, Valerian and high iron containing foods.

People with liver ailments should consume, Herbs like artichoke leaf, green tea, Jiaogulan, Korean ginseng, lycium, milk thistle, black Cherry (juice), Grape (juice), Lemon (juice drunk upon awakening in the morning), Pear (juice), Reishi Mushrooms. Many of these herbs and foods are found in high quality liver detox products and plans.

I encourage you to do a liver detox twice a year, and follow the footsteps of your ancestors; eat good grass fed, or organically raised liver one to four times a month, if you do not have Hepatitis C or elevated ferritin levels. Liver truly is natures multi vitamin, and eating liver helps your liver to be healthier – our ancestors new this, it’s time to go back to those old fashioned food values that kept all of us healthier.

To your good Health.

Category: Liver Health
Tags: