Liver Function
Functions of the Liver
The liver plays an important role in metabolic processes of the body, including Detoxification of potentially toxic chemicals from both inside and outside of the body, including drugs, alcohol and toxins. Making cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body. Regulating blood sugar levels and carbohydrate metabolism – converting excess glucose into glycogen for storage.
Energy management. When the body needs energy, your liver converts glycogen to glucose for energy. Resisting infections by producing immune factors and removing bacteria from the bloodstream. Protein Metabolism – production and storage of proteins as well as the regulation of many substances involved in protein metabolism.
Bile, produced by the liver, is stored in the gall bladder and used to help break down dietary fats. Fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K need bile in order to be absorbed by the body. Production of blood proteins, clotting factors, and substances important to the production of red blood cells.
Storage of blood – the liver stores and regulates blood volume. Regulation of a number of hormones. Antioxidant defense – neutralises ‘free-radicals’.
Resisting infections by producing immune factors and removing bacteria from the bloodstream. Vitamin store – storage of vitamins, mainly A, D, and B.
As if that’s not enough, the workload of our livers has increased significantly in recent times due to the explosion of environmental toxins. A vast amount of chemicals now in everyday use must be broken down and neutralised by the liver, such as medications, household cleaning products, plastics, pesticides, herbicides, cosmetic and personal care products and many more.
Symptoms of sluggish liver
Symptoms of liver disease depend on your condition but may include:
Abdominal pain in the upper right side such as:
Conditions that need liver support
A healthy liver is vital to our total health. Morsi’s always consider your liver function in your health assessment. As well as supporting any identified liver diseases, there are other health conditions that require specific liver treatment, including:
▪︎ Chronic fatigue syndrome
▪︎ Autoimmune diseases
▪︎ Chronic inflammatory disorders
▪︎ Digestive problems. ▪︎Constipation or Diarrhea.
▪︎ Hormonal issues – particularly where there is excess oestrogen
▪︎ Leaky gut
Most chronic diseases
▪︎ Migraine
Some Disorders of the Liver
▪︎ Fatty liver
This may or may not be related to alcohol and is also seen in overweight, obese or diabetic people. Fat accumulates inside the liver cells, causing cell enlargement and sometimes cell damage, and can lead to cirrhosis.
The liver becomes enlarged, causing discomfort on the upper right side of the abdomen.
Hepatitis
This is inflammation of the liver or viral infections (hepatitis A to E).
Haemochromatosis
This inherited disease makes the body absorb and store higher than normal amounts of iron. This damages many organs, including the liver, pancreas and heart.
Cirrhosis
This has many causes, but it is commonly due to hepatitis infection or excessive alcohol intake. The cells of the liver are progressively replaced by scar tissue, which seriously impairs liver functioning.
Wilson’s disease
This is a condition where the liver can’t excrete copper. Various organs of the body, including the liver and brain, are affected by the excessively high copper levels.
Causes of liver disease
Some of the causes of liver disease include:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (‘fatty liver’)
Poor diet – excess sugar or the wrong fats
Hepatitis – viral infections
Alcohol-related liver disease
Toxic effect of medications
Poor detoxification – your liver may not be functioning effectively
Congenital or inherited abnormalities of the liver
What Can I do?
At Brunswick Naturopathy, I can help:
Assess and remove any contributing factors or triggers from your diet and lifestyle.Design a specific diet for you that supports liver healing and improved function.Ensure adequate nutrients for your liver to accomplish its many tasks effectively. Support natural detoxification processes can help improve liver and digestive function, which may facilitate healthy weight loss, improved energy, and reduced pain.Prescribe specific herbs, nutritional supplements, and homeopathic remedies that can help to reduce inflammation and improve liver function and regeneration. Support you to reduce your cholesterol levels naturally if needed.
What Else Can Help?
Weight reduction where appropriate. Make sure it is a safe plan that suits your particular needs. There are many reasons why weight loss can be difficult, especially if your liver is struggling. When you lose weight, toxins are removed from fat stores and circulated in the body, causing extra burden on the liver. Seeking professional help may be the best way to go.
Implement dietary changes. This will depend on your particular symptoms.
However, you might start with:
Plenty of fresh fruits & vegetables, whole grains, fish, garlic are beneficial in managing high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Include vitamin E rich foods acids from cold water fish.
If blood sugar or insulin levels are a problem, a diet low in carbohydrates, sugar and processed foods, rich in good fats, protein, and plenty of especial vegetables juice is beneficial. Increase dietary fibre. Adequate fibre helps prevent cholesterol absorption and helps to eliminate cholesterol from the body.
Stress reduction is important for all aspects of good health and will help sleep, blood pressure and cardiovascular risks.
Exercise regularly: Aim for at least ½ hour day exercise.
Avoid alcohol and any drugs, faty foods, havey foods, acids food, diary products, any types of mil, fried foods, soft drinks, black tea and coffee And any processes food, any oily foods, that’s might damage more the liver.
Quit smoking
A liver-friendly diet should include foods rich in sulphur compounds, Fruits and vegetables Aim to eat a variety. Try adding more:
▪︎ berries
▪︎ apples
▪︎ oranges
▪︎ bananas
▪︎ dates
▪︎ figs
▪︎ melons
▪︎ leafy greens
▪︎ broccoli
▪︎ peppers
▪︎ sweet potatoes
▪︎ carrots
▪︎ squash
▪︎ cucumbers
▪︎ eggplant
▪︎ tomatoes
▪︎ Legumes
Try to include:
▪︎ beans
▪︎ peas
▪︎ lentils
▪︎ pulses
▪︎ chickpeas
▪︎ Healthy fats
Use healthy oils, such as extra virgin olive oil. High concentrations of healthy fats can also be found in:
▪︎ nuts
▪︎ seeds
▪︎ avocados
▪︎ olives
Fish and lean meats
Opt for fish twice per week. Eggs and lean poultry, like skinless chicken and turkey, are fine in moderation.
Whole grains
Consume unprocessed grains and cereals, such as:
▪︎ whole-wheat bread
▪︎ brown rice
▪︎ whole oats
▪︎ couscous
Whole-wheat pasta
quinoa chlorophyll such as garlic, beetroot, brassicas, green leafy veg, avocadoes and spices such as turmeric. Garlic with its allicin and selenium content helps activate enzymes which can flush out toxins and aid liver cleansing.
Fruits and vegetables
Aim to eat a variety. Try adding more:
▪︎ berries
▪︎ apples
▪︎ oranges
▪︎ bananas
▪︎ dates
▪︎ figs
▪︎ melons
▪︎ leafy greens
▪︎ broccoli
▪︎ peppers
▪︎ sweet potatoes
▪︎ carrots
▪︎ squash
▪︎ cucumbers
▪︎ eggplant
▪︎ tomatoes
▪︎ Legumes
▪︎ Try to include:
▪︎ beans
▪︎ peas
▪︎ lentils
▪︎ pulses
▪︎ chickpeas
Healthy fats
Use healthy oils, such as extra virgin olive oil. High concentrations of healthy fats can also be found in:
▪︎ nuts
▪︎ seeds
▪︎ avocados
▪︎ olives
Fish and lean meats
Opt for fish twice per week.
lean poultry, like skinless chicken and turkey, are fine in moderation.
Whole grains
Consume unprocessed grains and cereals, such as:
▪︎ whole-wheat bread
▪︎ brown rice
▪︎ whole oats
▪︎ couscous
▪︎ whole-wheat pasta
▪︎ quinoa
With Morsi’s herbalist, he will give you a herbal remedy to boost your unhealthy liver to get back to his normal functioning.