Organ Spotlight: The Liver
The liver filters chemicals, toxins, and biological compounds. It stores vitamins, glycogen (stored form of glucose), cholesterol, iron, copper, and fats. The liver synthesizes cholesterol, estrogen, proteins, bile (fat digestion aid), anti-clotting factors, hormones for bone growth and soft tissue growth, and is essential for thyroid hormone conversion. It controls homeostasis for glucose, proteins, fat, cholesterol, hormones, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). It excretes Immunoglobulins into the digestive tract (Kupfer cells), which are important for the health of the immune system. It regulates the blood supply by storing blood cells and breaking down blood cells for elimination.
Even if a majority of the liver is damaged, it has the ability to regenerate and produce new liver tissue. Dietary modification and nutritional supplementation can reverse liver damage and provide the liver and the entire body the ability to function better.
Fructose is a form of sugar that can only be metabolized by the liver, but unfortunately, the liver has difficulty metabolizing fructose. Glucose, on the other hand, can be metabolized by the majority of cells of the body. If the body is bombarded by fructose, then it causes the liver to have difficulty functioning. Fructose is in high fructose corn syrup (an ingredient in many processed foods), soft drinks, agave, honey, fruits and dried fruits.
There are certain fruits that have high fructose levels like pineapple, mango, plums, certain pears (Bartlett), red apples, and grapes. Believe it or not, excess fructose can be just as bad for the liver as alcohol. Limiting your fructose to about 25 grams per day is recommended for proper liver function. If you have liver dis- ease or disease, you should limit your fructose intake to no more than 15 grams per day. A good guideline is limiting your fruit intake to one serving of fruit per day. Berries are my personal favorite as they have plenty of antioxidants and anti-cancer properties.
Liver function is compromised by air pollution and toxin exposure, alcohol, illegal and legal drug use, fructose overconsumption, processed foods and poor diet, stress and emotional distress like anger, viruses, parasites and microbial imbalance. Many studies have revealed the connection between viruses like hepatitis and liver damage. The Epstein Barr Virus also can have a detrimental impact on the liver. Many parasites migrate to the liver and result in liver damage. Cleaning the body up of toxins and microbial imbalance is the most important step in helping the liver to function optimally.
Symptoms of improper liver function include fatigue, weakness, confusion, irritability, prone to anger, bloating and gas, bruising easily, yellow hue to skin, sometimes discomfort in the right upper portion of the abdomen, excessive sweating, dark urine, skin issues, musculoskeletal imbalances especially sciatica, eye floaters, constipation, and being prone to colds and flu.
How to Keep Your Liver Functioning Well and to Help Reverse Liver Damage:
1- Eat these foods (as long as you are not sensitive to them): Collard greens, Swiss chard, dandelion greens, beets, Brussels sprouts, walnuts, and avocados. Try to buy organic as much as possible. These foods increase glutathione, which is the most powerful anti-oxidant in the body and helps with detoxification pathways. Other foods that help the liver include olive oil, asparagus, cucumber, lemon, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar and raw garlic.
2- Use these spices and herbs: coriander, cilantro, rosemary, turmeric, parsley, oregano, and peppermint. They help with glutathione production and to cool the liver heat.
3- Nutritional supplements that support the liver's health: Milk Thistle, Siberian lettuce, Couch Grass, Chickweed, Dandelion, Nettles, Rosemary, Schisandra berry, NAC, Panax Ginseng, Ginger, Taurine, Betaine, Phyllanthus Fraternus, and Glutathione have regenerative qualities to support the liver. It is important to know which specific nutrient is right for you by Nutrition Muscle Testing. Otherwise, you are playing a guessing game.
4- Movements to help the liver: The revolved side angle pose and the seated spinal twist (yoga poses) are great to stimulate the liver. The Liver 3 Point in the acupuncture system is located on the top of the foot, in the angle between the first and second toes. This is a great point to apply firm rotatory pressure, for about one minute, every other day. Exercise is key in helping the liver; a gentle cardiovascular aerobic routine and chi gong are probably the most therapeutic activities for liver health.
This specific movement incorporates the liver healing sound "SSSSHHHH." While standing up, touch the ring finger to the thumb with the arms down by the side (the ring finger is part of the liver meridian). Chant the sound "SSSSHHHH" while raising the arms (palms up) with your ring fingers and thumbs touching to the level of your shoulders/ears, and then open up your palms. Repeat this three times (take a 10-second rest between each repetition).
5- Self Care: Balance your stress and emotional body with meditation, breathing exercises, tai chi, chi gong, yoga, getting body work such as chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, taking baths, aromatherapy, and spend time in nature. Even if you can't get out of your urban environment, go to a park and sit on the grass or at the base of a tree. Nature attunes and calms the body, and can be the best medicine of all.
Dr. Louis Granirer is a leading Holistic Chiropractor in NY and Nutrition Response Testing Practitioner specializing in holistic remedies for good health maintenance and prevention of disease. Visit his website at HolisticChiropracticCenter.com to learn more.
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