Description At three to five pounds or approximately two kilograms, the liver is one of the largest organs in the body. The liver performs more than 500 functions which include converting toxins into benign substances for excretion and processing nutrients from the digestive tract into the appropriate forms necessary for your cells. Accomplishing this feat requires the liver to use 12 to 20% of the body's total energy and is often referred to as the "master organ". According to one study, more than 50,000 deaths per year are attributed to liver disorders in the United States.
Symptoms and Signs:Liver fatigue, headaches, and psoriasis are common signs of liver toxification.
Causes: Our present lifestyle brings with it an arsenal of chemicals via the air, food, and water that we take in every day. Coupled with a high-stress, frenetic, pace of life, all these factors make for an extreme burden that the liver must deal with. Over time, the liver can, itself, become stressed, reducing its ability and capacity to function. As all organs in our body work together, a weakened immune system or generally stressed out system can further hinder the liver's ability to function. This can result in a number of problems ranging from physical body changes to emotional and mental dysfunction. Other dietary / social causes of liver dysfunction include foods high in sugar, saturated fats, and caffeine, processed foods, alcohol, tobacco, prescription painkillers, and a variety of other prescription drugs. Indeed, the liver should be considered one of the most important organs. As such, it must be cared for and given what it needs to function properly. This will in turn lead to a healthier body and thus a healthier you
What to Expect: Depression can be caused by an overburdened liver as can an inability to properly assimilate nutrients. Fatigue can result from toxins normally eliminated by the liver continue to "float" around the body, stressing other systems.
Remedies
Amino Acids Carnitine helps metabolize fatty acids in the liver. It also reduces triglycerides (the main type of stored body fat) and liver-enzyme levels in the blood while raising levels of "good", HDL, cholesterol. Take 1,500 to 4,000mg daily.
Foods Beets are also highly recommended, with apt praise given from both Ayurvedic and European alternative medicine approaches. Betaine, the active ingredient, helps regenerate liver cells and aids in the conversion of triglycerides (stored fat) into transport fat. Beets in general help metabolize fat, are very safe and tolerable, and taste great. Globe artichoke is part of the daisy family, has thistle-like properties, and is not very common to the Western diet. An element in this food, cynarin, promotes bile flow and helps detoxify the liver in similar fashion to milk thistle (see below). It also reduces cholesterol and other fats in a way similar to Vitamin B3.
Herbs Dandelion root is effective in treating an overstressed liver. Take 3,000mg daily. You can also have roasted dandelion root as a great coffee substitute Licorice root helps protect the liver. It has antioxidant and anti-viral properties, in addition to enhancing interferon and antibody production, promotes T-cell activity within the liver, and protects it from autoimmune liver injury. As this herb takes a different approach to liver repair than milk thistle, the two herbs are often used in concert with good results. Take 4,000 to 5,000 mg daily or drink licorice root tea. Milk thistle helps rebuild liver tissue and is most effective if taken at night. It works very well if taken with licorice root. Take 2 tablespoons ground powder daily, sprinkled on food. If using capsules, take 280 to 420mg daily. Look for supplements containing silymarin, considered the active ingredient. Milk thistle takes time to act and, being nontoxic, is safe to use over the long-term. Turmeric has similar properties to those of licorice and milk thistle. This herb has strong antioxidant properties and helps stimulate bile to aid digestion.
Lifestyle Take a critical look at your diet and eliminate foods high in sugar, saturated fats, and caffeine and processed foods in general. These all place an excess burden on the liver as it attempts to remove the associated toxins and harmful chemicals from these foods. Indeed, white sugar is attacked directly by the immune system as an invader. You should include organic fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dietary fibre items into your diet. This low fat, high fibre approach has multiple cascading benefits, including providing your body with the food it needs to function correctly and maintain homeostasis -- including that of the liver. Also be sure to drink lots of water. This will help flush your body and provide the liver with an appropriate medium for toxin excretion. If you currently do not drink much water (soft drinks and artificial juices do not count), start slowly and build up to at least eight glasses daily. Many people start with at least three glasses and work their way up to eight over the course of a week. As an added bonus, you will find your skin will also benefit from the additional water, improving elasticity and collagen. Avoid alcohol, processed foods, tobacco, prescription painkillers, and any other non-essential drugs. All these products hinder the body's ability to absorb essential nutrients, unnecessarily stress the liver and immune system, and also impose energy ups and downs on the body. Discuss the prescription drugs you are currently taking with your naturopath or other health practitioner to determine if viable substitutions are available. In many cases, there are complementary remedies available.
Vitamins Vitamins A, C, and E have powerful antioxidant properties and help protect the liver. These vitamins reduce toxins in the blood, thereby taking a load off the liver. Take 6,000 to 10,000 IU vitamin A, 1,000 to 2,000mg (up to bowel tolerance) vitamin C, and 400 IU vitamin E daily.
Actions and Remedy Listings
See also Weakened Immune System
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