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Unclogging the Liver November 15, 2004

The liver is the largest and busiest organ in the body. It fulfills many vital functions that affect the health of the entire human system. It creates bile to breakdown fats; it both makes and eliminates hormones, including cholesterol, testosterone, and estrogens; it regulates carbohydrate metabolism and, in effect, blood sugar levels; and most importantly, it filters all food, nutrients, alcohol, drugs, and toxins, and when functioning properly, transforms them into substances that can be eliminated in urine or stool.

When the liver lacks essential nutrients or is bombarded by toxins, it no longer functions optimally. When this happens, every organ in the body is compromised, including the heart, vascular system, and adrenals. Once overloaded with toxins, the liver cannot effectively burn body fat or eliminate toxins and instead stores them in the liver or in fat cells throughout the body. As the main fat-burning organ of the body, a clogged liver will be unable to perform its fat-burning functions and metabolism will slow down resulting in weight gain, especially in the abdominal area. Difficulty losing weight around your waist, may be a sign of a clogged liver.

If not removed in stool, excessive dietary fat is turned into cholesterol, which the liver then turns into bile. In addition to containing cholesterol, bile - a yellow-green substance – is made up of bile salts, water, bile pigments, lecithin, lipids and electrolytes. Produced by the liver and stored by the neighboring gall bladder, bile is released into the small intestine to emulsify and absorb fats.

Complications

  • A fatty liver is common among overweight people over 30. The liver is partly replaced by areas of unhealthy fats and is often enlarged causing discomfort in the right upper abdominal area.

  • When oils and food containing oil are deep-fried or heated at high temperatures toxic fats called trans-fatty acids are created. These sorts of fats are damaging to the liver as they handicap the liver’s most important detoxification enzymes, Cytochrome P 450. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down toxins and carcinogens. Trans-fats also increase fatty deposits within the liver and thicken the bile, which makes it more difficult for it to move from the gall bladder to the small intestine.

  • Slowed down by bad fats, the liver is also compromised by toxic substances. Chemical food additives – like artificial coloring found in processed cheese – are toxic to our liver. Pork, and other meats, commonly contains dead parasites, which will have to be processed by the liver.

  • Regularly eating foods high in saturated fats and low in fiber increases the likelihood of developing fatty liver and excess cholesterol in your bile. It can also result in excessive cholesterol in the bile, which may lead to gallstones.

    • Detection
    Lab tests can help determine how well your liver is functioning. By measuring how quickly Cytochrome 450 levels increase, tests indicate the body’s ability to handle toxic substances in Phase 1 detoxification. To test the liver’s capacity at Phase 2, a urine/saliva test of caffeine clearance will indicate how effectively the liver is releasing D-glucaric acid.

    Treatment

  • A high-fiber diet helps eliminate excess fat via a bowel movement. Fiber also helps move toxins out of your body. Insoluble fibers, such as flaxseeds, absorb water in the digestive tract increasing transit time of waste removal. Without sufficient fiber, as much as 90% of cholesterol and bile acids are recirculated through the liver giving it more work to do and further slowing it down.

  • Both gallstones and a fatty liver can be treated with a low-fat, low-meat, low-sugar, vegetable rich, and high-fiber diet.

  • Exercise and sweating regularly is important

  • Also helpful is a detoxification plan that includes essential fatty acids, like freshly ground flaxseeds and essential fatty acids (EFAs) -- see detox suggestions below.

  • Avoid exposure to environmental toxins, alcohol, drugs, including most over the counter and prescription medications.

  • Increase fluid intake and use fresh lemon in your water to help cleanse the liver.

  • Beneficial herbs include milk thistle herb, olive lead extract, dandelion root, turmeric and oregon grape root

    • Detoxing
    Detoxification should begin slowly and with respect for your lifestyle. Detox should begin with a two-week elimination/replacement program. For these first two weeks, avoid all dairy and decrease meat dependency. Fried foods should be completely eliminated and replaced by baking, broiling, and steaming. Whole-grains and vegetables should replace processed foods.

  • Try eating 4 to 5 smaller meals throughout the day rather than a couple of large ones. This will help regulate blood sugar and decrease load on the liver at any one time.

  • Fresh, organic produce will assist in regenerating the liver and provide much-needed fiber. Begin experimenting with seasonal fruits and vegetables by picking a variety of colors, with an emphasis on dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables. These are high in sulforaphane, which the liver uses in converting toxins into nontoxins.

  • Reduce your meat intake relying on lean fish and chicken. Beans are a great source of fiber, protein, and folic acid.

  • Eggs provide healthful benefits to the liver including supplying lecithin, which helps prevent oxidation of cholesterol. As you begin to feel better and lose weight, you can re-introduce dairy.

  • Avoid processed cheeses, and think of cheese as a condiment rather than centerpiece.

  • Take a multi-vitamin containing vitamins A, C, and E; magnesium, zinc, and chromium; and three 175 mg capsules daily of standardized milk thistle extract with water before meals.

    • A good detox plan to follow is Ann Louise Gittleman's "Fat Flush Plan."

    SOURCES
    Cabot, Sandra, Dr. The Liver Cleansing Diet. Arizona: S.C.B. International, 1996.
    Gittleman, Ann Louise, M.S., C.N.S. The Fat Flush Plan. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002.
    Haas, Elson M., M.D. Staying Healthy with the Seasons. Berkeley: Celestial Arts, 1981, 2003.
    Lipski, Elizabeth, M.S., C.C.N. Digestive Wellness, 2d Edition. Illinois: Keats Publishing, 1996, 2000.
    http://www.liverdoctor.com/Section4/fattyliver.asp. “Fatty Liver.” Cabot, Sandra Dr., 2003.