You may need a liver detox if you feel tired, sluggish bathroom habits, back aches, low energy to do physical activity, or headaches.
Do you know why liver detoxification is important?
The liver is only approximately 3 pounds but has over 500 functions! The functions of your liver vary but some include:
- assisting in the absorption of nutrients
- it stores vitamins
- storing minerals
- creating bilirubin to remove dead red blood cells
- helping with clotting
- secretes hormones and metabolizing body
- process fats, proteins, and carbohydrates
- turning waste toxins into water-soluble compounds to be eliminated
The liver is your master cleaner and detoxifier in your body.
It detoxifies and purifies your blood. If it is dirty it will stimulate HSCRP or High Sensitivity C Reactive Protein on a blood test indicating whole-body inflammation and the need for help!
There are no quick fixes to long-term toxicity, diagnosed illness, or a horrible diet but when the liver is clean, it is capable of doing miraculous healing for the whole body when given the right nutrients. It is an organ that remarkably can regenerate tissue and regrow.
Your liver converts Vitamin D from the sun or supplementation with your cholesterol into the only usable form called 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D that can get into your cells to help control your genes. With all of these functions happening you can see why keeping it clean is so important.
How do you know if you have a clogged liver?
Symptoms can vary but you may experience:
-Itching -Swelling -Diarrhea
-Gallstones -Blood vessel issues -Yellow or jaundice skin/eyes
-Nausea -Headaches -Poor digestion/gas/bloat
-Weight gain -Hormone imbalance/PMS -Extreme fatigue
-Carb/Sugar cravings -Bad breath/coated tongue -Sensitive to chemicals
-Abdominal pain/upper right particularly -Heavy Metal Toxicity -Allergies
Let me break down a quick version of your metabolism concerning your liver.
ATP (the energy component of EACH cell) converts to ADP which is like your gas gauge in your car that tells your body to make more or it has enough. When the Phosphate is removed from ADP, it forms AMP (Adenosine monophosphate).
AMP is one of the components of RNA (ribonucleic acid). RNA is a complex compound that functions in cellular protein synthesis and replaces DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) as a carrier of genetic codes in some viruses. This is one of the reasons there is a huge concern with the new vaccine for Covid-19 as it (RNA within the vax) can change your DNA! AMP is not energetic but it synthesizes protein and taps into sugars/glycogen or fats for fuel when you need energy like an engine sensor.
The AMPK is switched on in response to stresses that deplete cellular ATP/energy supplies such as low blood sugar. It increases with an increase of Calcium or AMP pushing it to burn stored energy in the cells thus increasing metabolism. It also signals the pathway that coordinates cell growth and autophagy, which is the dismemberment and reabsorption of dead cells known as free radicals/oxidative stress. AMPK is required for its activation of LKB1, a tumor suppressor gene mutated in inherited cancer disorders, and a significant fraction of lung and cervical cancers.
Have you heard of the leaky liver?
When your gut leaks too large proteins or particulates through Velcro-like openings causing systemic inflammation. AMPK closes leaky gut-tight junctures. (AMPK) regulates metabolism in response to energy demand and supply.
Some of the natural products that can activate AMPK within the liver include:
- green tea
- berberine
- curcumin
- resveratrol
- NRF-2
- DIM
- broccoli sulforaphane
- milk thistle
- R Lopaic Acid
- Alpha Lopaic Acid
What does bile do?
Bile is a fat detergent.
If there is too much fat, the bile will dissolve the fat cells and then flushes the fat into the blood and kidneys. If there is not enough bile, one can experience diarrhea. It also causes inflammation, the toxins will reabsorb and aggravate existing symptoms. They can develop bloating, rashes, itching, brain fog, irritability, etc.
Your bile breaks down the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine and upper gastrointestinal tract.
Bile cleanses your liver cells that are fed by blood with your bile salts. Up to 2/3 of your liver bile is recycled so cleaning it on a regular basis is imperative to good health. Can you imagine if you never changed your car oil?
How can your diet affect your liver?
Eating a diet high in protein or carbohydrates can convert to glucose triggering a high insulin level and resistance. Fatty liver can be found in increasing numbers of our population as we eat more hydrogenated and bad fats.
Healthy fats such as raw butter, flaxseed, cold-pressed Spanish extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, are great for your immune system to make cholesterol repair and remove toxins.
Your liver is responsible for making LDL (lousy) and HDL (happy/good) cholesterol. Receptors in your liver pull the HDL out of the blood when you are sick to help in the healing process. Oxidized or burned-up LDL floats through your body. It may deposit in the heart, neck, abdomen, or arteries as a “patch” for weakened places that eventually become clogged arteries.
Many bitters including plant extracts have been used including:
- leafy greens (mustard greens)
- myrr
- black cumin seeds
- walnuts
- dandelion leaves
- arugula
Even egg yolks can help to cleanse the liver as well as aid in removing possible parasites. Berberine also lowers lipids and reduces the production of LDL.
Can supplementation help your liver?
Phosphatidylcholine is produced by the liver and is essential for the structure and function of these cells. It can be taken as a supplement to help protect the liver from bile harm as it makes up 65 percent of all cell membranes. It is implemented to heal, protect the liver, and for some liver cancer.
Sadly, alcohol dissolves phosphatidylcholine from cell membranes hampering their ability to metabolize triglycerides (fat) that cause inflammation and more deposits of fat into the liver. Studies have shown that 500 to 3,000 mg a day of phosphatidylcholine can protect the liver by reducing the leakage of enzymes. It also decreases harming oxidation of fats, preserving membranes, and slows membrane damage. It is a protective compound against damage from medications, viruses, and pollutants.
You will want to work with me or your holistic physician. You can find natural phosphatidylcholine in eggs, mustard, and sunflower seeds. To absorb up to 90% within 24 hours, take it with flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables to make it highly bioavailable.
Non-Fatty Alcoholic Liver Disease has been rising as our diets deteriorate to an incredible 31% of the U.S. population in 2012, which has no doubt increased. The death rates from chronic liver disease rises annually showing liver care must be taken more seriously. Alpha Lopaic Acid in higher doses can treat fatty liver disease successfully. This is most times delivered intravenously by a holistic professional.
Many people may have it if they appear to be at a normal weight or even thin. Tocotrienols are very potent forms of Vitamin E. They can help to remove excess fat at 100 mg per serving with guidance.
Some supplements can help to cleanse the liver such as milk thistle, turmeric, and dandelion root. Also Zinc if warranted on your hair analysis results, Selenium, beetroot, and Vitamin C. Cheaply made supplements may contain Magnesium Stearate or Titanium Dioxide that are toxic.
Other liver damaging factors:
Medications can take a toll by masking toxicity. Over-the-counter and prescribed medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, benzodiazepines, and statins can take a toll on the liver. The constant exposure to herbicides, pesticides as well as electromagnetic radiation/ EMF from electronics.
10 Liver Detoxification suggestions:
1-Cut or eliminate alcohol
2-Ensure you are adequately drinking enough water to have the ability to flush the toxins
3-Increase exercise to 150-300 minutes weekly with weight-bearing to maintain or gain muscle mass
4-Cut processed foods, artificial ingredients, as many sugars and simple carbohydrates as possible, and commercially grown foods. Increase anti-oxidant foods to help the whole body clean up the dead or damaged cells
5-Stop tobacco or smoking if it is a habit
6-Add fiber-rich vegetables as a prebiotic along with sulfur-containing foods (broccoli, garlic, onion, etc.) to a supplemented probiotic with fermented foods such as sauerkraut
7-Replace toxic personal care and cleaning products with natural-based ones to cut the toxicity intake
8-Stop iodized salt to use sea salt with natural minerals. Along with potassium-rich foods to balance the sodium that eliminates from the kidneys
9-Sleep to give your body enough downtime to eliminate toxic was from your liver and your brain
10-Castor oil packs are still a proven method of detox for the liver symptoms
Some of the quick “detox” methods can be extreme, uncomfortable if forced too hard, and dangerous. I work closely with my clients in detoxification because as we clean the organs and our tissues, we experience Herxheimer symptoms or Retracing symptoms that can be difficult. I adjust their programs that may include diet, supplements, and additional detoxification modalities not mentioned here.
If you are ready to clean your liver safely and gently, LET’S CHAT!
To learn more about liver symptoms.
Copyright Scientific Nutrition, LLC 2020
