The Importance of Keeping Your Liver Clean and Supported

Your liver is one of the busiest organs of your body and is involved in many different functions that are critical to overall health. Acting as the main filter for the body, an efficiently operating liver is a gatekeeper to help transport liver nutrients and to purge impurities throughout the body. It is very important that we understand the necessity of maintaining and supporting the liver through cleansing. A clean, efficient liver will help to keep the immune system supported.

Foundational Purposes of Your Liver

This hardworking organ is actually part of your body's glandular system, and is located in the lower right part of your abdominal cavity. It is quite large, weighing an average of three pounds, and is composed of thousands of lobules, a design which creates an effective filter for literally all of the body's blood supply.

Your liver's main function is to filter impurities out of the blood. These include alcohol, medications, and toxins from foods you eat and from environmental sources. However, your liver performs many other necessary tasks as well, including digestive functions such as producing substances that break down fats in our diets, producing bile, making urea (a major component of urine), regulating blood sugar, storing many vitamins and minerals, producing cholesterol, and manufacturing certain critical amino acids. As you can see, this vital organ plays many important roles that are necessary for your good health.

Two of the Liver's Primary Functions

Your liver is essential for proper digestion in the body. Bile, one of the body's main digestive agents, is produced by the liver and transported to the small intestine where the majority of digestion takes place. Bile is stored in the gallbladder when not immediately needed. Bile also plays a secondary role in eliminating toxins from the body. The liver also produces, processes, and stores necessary substances such as protein, fats, and amino acids. Proper digestion and absorption of nutrients cannot occur without an efficiently operating liver.

The circulatory system is also very dependent on the liver. The blood cannot transport oxygen and other nutrients, and cannot properly eliminate waste products, without the functions of this unique and complex organ.

Keeping Your Liver Healthy

There are three main things to remember when it comes to the health of your liver. First, eating a healthy, organic diet that is free of toxins such as pesticides, preservatives, and other harmful chemicals is imperative. Choose foods that are as close to nature as possible, focusing on organic fruits and vegetables and plenty of pure water. A diet high in fat, sodium, sugar and junk food is very hard on your liver. Be cautious about your intake of alcohol and prescription drugs as much as possible. Taking these steps will actually support your liver, and will make it easier for it to do its job well.

Acetaminophen Warning. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is actually one of the hardest drugs on your liver. Using the recommended dosages of Tylenol for as little as four days can actually cause liver damage. And those who consume caffeine with acetaminophen (Tylenol) may even be at a higher risk of liver damage. Acetaminophen often has caffeine added because it enhances the effects of the painkiller. Researchers at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle found that between 1998 and 2003, the percentage of acute liver failure cases attributed to acetaminophen nearly doubled, rising from 28% to 51%. Acetaminophen is currently found in over 600 over-the-counter cold, flu, and headache medications. Some symptoms of acetaminophen overdose/toxicity include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), and liver enzyme abnormalities. Jaundice is a phase 3 symptom of acetaminophen toxicity. So if you are experiencing an abnormal yellowing color of the skin, it is advised to seek immediate attention from a healthcare professional.Acetaminophen can be found in the following drugs.

• Tylenol
• Excedrin
• Midol
• NyQuil
• Sudafed
• Vicodin

Infants and Tylenol. Tylenol is one of the most over-prescribed drugs for infants and children. Most parents think that because the child's pediatrician says it is ok then there are no worries. However, this is not always true. Tylenol is often given for colds/flu when other meds are also given that may contain acetaminophen. According to a recent study, the use of Tylenol-type pain relievers in babies was linked to asthma (website accessed September 28, 2008: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/09/19/asthma-child.html). Reading labels is important! Sometimes parents are not aware of the difference between Infant drops and Tylenol for Children and thus infants are given Tylenol for Children. Many use Tylenol for teething but there are safer products (melt-in-the-mouth homeopathic tablets) available to help with the inflammation and pain that comes with teething. I urge caution and advise not to medicate unless it is very necessary.N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), an amino acid, is what is given in hospital for acetaminophen overdose. It's also a wise choice to supplement daily with NAC, especially when taking acetaminophen, as it inhibits the buildup of toxic by-products in the liver, thus limiting free radical damage and antioxidant depletion.

Liver Cleansing is second but just as important as eating healthy. All filters either need to be replaced or cleaned and since having to replace the liver is not preferred, cleaning it and keeping it supported will go miles and miles toward good health. I recommend using a quality liver cleansing product to flush out this critical organ and allow it to operate at peak efficiency. We live in a very toxic world, and the liver is very challenged daily by all the poisons we are exposed to in our diets and environment. Do several liver and gallbladder cleanses to clean the liver and gallbladder, followed by maintenance liver and gallbladder cleanses several times a year.

Third, it is also wise to use a liver support product that will supply your body with organic substances and herbs that are very beneficial and supportive of liver function. Be sure to choose herbs that support the liver and are organic or wild-crafted herbs. Some of the ingredients you want to look for include:

• Dandelion root: Excellent for the liver and the gallbladder, kidneys, and digestive tract as well.
• Wildcrafted chanca piedra: Helps liver health and function by stimulating bile production, as well as by eliminating mucous and obstructions like stones from the liver, kidneys and gallbladder.
• Milk thistle seed: This versatile herb boosts the liver's ability to detoxify the blood and the body of impurities, and can also protect the liver from damage due to viruses and toxins like alcohol and prescription drugs.
• Marshmallow root and leaves: Has excellent anti-inflammatory qualities that aide the liver as well as other internal organs. It also fights bacterial infections and bolsters mucous membrane health in the liver and elsewhere.

Your liver is a very multifaceted organ that can restore and repair itself in amazing ways; yet, if neglected and not supported, it can lead to many unwanted health problems.

Additional Resources:

The Importance of Digestive Health
Wildcrafted Chanca Piedra and Your Liver