Be kind to your liver

Sunshine Today, March/April 2007 98 Sunshine Today, March/April 2007

The 4 Stages ofDetoxificationEvery moment your liver is busyworking like a chemical factory andfiltration/removal plant for the body.Removing both internal and externaltoxins and cleaning the blood involvesa four step precess. Each step is high-ly dependent on diet and lifestyle fac-tors:1) Filtration: Approximately two

quarts of blood are passed through theliver for cleaning every minute. Thisimportant filtration process removestoxic substances and bacteria thatenter the blood. Once all these sub-stances are removed, the filteredblood returns to general circulation.2) Phase I detoxification: The

liver uses a two-step enzymaticprocess (Phase I and II) to neutralizeundesirable substances (i.e. medica-tions, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer,hormones, artificial sweeteners, MSG,birth control pills, alcohol, etc.). First,the Phase I enzymes (known as thecytochrome P450 system) eitherdirectly neutralize the toxins or pre-pares them for neutralization by PhaseII.However, according to nutritionresearcher Brad King, if the liver isnot healthy this process can do moreharm than good. “The drawback tothis first system is that in order forPhase II enzymes to be able to renderthe original toxins harmless to thebody, the Phase I enzymes must firstconvert them into highly reactivechemicals—including destructive freeradicals—that are even more damag-ing to the body than the original tox-ins.”3) Phase II detoxification: In orderto neutralize the newly formed toxinsfrom Phase I, the Phase II enzymes,with the help of theantioxidant/enzyme glutathione, bindto the toxins and render them harm-less. Once neutralized they can be

safelyexcreted

from the body.“If the liver can’t use the

Phase II pathways,” says Dr.Marianne Lablanc, M.D., of OptimalHealth Solutions in Vancouver,“bioactivated intermediates can accu-mulate and be more harmful to thebody than if no detoxification hadtaken place at all.”If the diet is high in phytonutrients,Phase II can efficiently neutralize tox-ins and eliminate them. It is the pres-

The link between liver health and weight lossA healthy liver not overloaded with toxins can be the body’s most efficient fat burning organ because it is so highlymetabolic. Many studies have demonstrated a direct link between obesity, liver health and weight loss. To determineliver health researchers measure the levels of certain enzymes within the liver. Elevated liver enzymes are usuallytaken to indicate poor liver function and in many cases are associated with excess body fat. Here’s a round up of someof the research:

• In an assessment of liver health in 534 moderately obese (30-50 percent over their ideal weight) non-drinkers 24 percent had abnormal liver enzyme levels and 47 percent had fatty livers (hepatic steatosis). This study clearly indi-cates that moderately obese people frequently suffer from liver dysfunction and don’t know it.• At the Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group at Stirling University in Scotland researchers foundevidence that the body's metabolism does not function properly in obese people. They went on to conclude that humanexposure to synthetic, organic and inorganic chemicals were damaging many of the body's weight-control mecha-nisms, especially the liver.• Research from the University of Occupational and Environmental Health in Kitakyshu, Japan studied liver functionand obesity in 1,591 people over a 10-year period. Their conclusion was that “obesity is more closely related to liverdysfunction than to any other abnormalities.”• Researchers from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York discovered that ele-vated liver enzymes are frequently found in healthy obese people.• Russian researchers demonstrated that when people lose a considerable amount of weight their liver health andfunction improves. Patients who lost 54 percent of their excess body weight by following a high protein diet showedthe most improvement. (Source: Fat Wars Chronicle, November 16, 2004, [email protected], by Brad J. King)

Weighing in at almost three pounds the liver is our largest internal organ.It’s also a workhorse, performing over 500 chemical functions. Without it

we would die in 24 hours.Yet for all the liver does and must do to keep us living and healthy, it remainsoverlooked and largely abused by our modern diet and lifestyle practices.As science learns more about the liver it is becoming apparent that it is a high-ly metabolic organ largely responsible for our overall health and longevity. Toillustrate, here is a short list of liver functions:• Converts food into stored energy (glycogen) for fuel• Converts food into chemicals necessary for the functioning of the entire body• Detoxifies medications, environmental pollutants, toxins, poisons, xenoestrogens, and alcohol and then processes them for removal

• Regulates blood sugar levels• Breaks down ammonia and creates urea for elimination by the kidneys• Creates bile to metabolize fats and allow the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients

• Manufactures more than 1000 different enzymes, blood, clotting factors, and proteins

• Hormone regulation and metabolism• Hormone conversions (ie, thyroid hormone)• Manufacturing approximately 50 percent of the body’s cholesterol

As you can see by the list of functions, the liver is no slouch. However, all thisactivity makes it highly susceptible to damage. For this reason, liver tissue hasthe amazing ability to regenerate itself to keep functioning. But like anything,work it too hard and eventually it will wear out. And this is what we are seeingtoday: more and more, seemingly healthy people have the signs of poor liverhealth.At the root of this is poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Next, sheer abuse ofthe liver by alcohol, medications, processed food and environmental pollution.Eventually, the older we get the less the liver is able to rejuvenate itself, and webecome more susceptible to liver disease.A seriously damaged liver develops a condition called cirrhosis. Cirrhosisdevelops when normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue. Scar tissue distortsthe functioning of the liver and restricts the flow of blood. Aside from liverabuse, diseases such as hepatitis B, C and D, autoimmune liver disease andgenetic/inherited conditions can also result in cirrhosis.Another liver condition is called fatty liver. Unlike its name, fatty liver hasnothing to do with eating too much fat. The condition involves excess fat insidethe liver cells. Leading causes include low protein diets, poor nutrition, starva-tion, hormone disorders, obesity and alcoholism. Fatty liver is associated withlarge amounts of free radical formation, inflammation of the liver, and if notcorrected, eventually serious life-threatening liver disease.Being kind to your liver means understanding how it works, avoiding thoseactivities that harm it, and supplying it with the right nutrients for optimum

ence ofwhole natu-ral foods andgood protein

in combinationwith select antioxidant

nutrients that facilitate efficientdetoxification.4) The bile system: The final phase

of detoxification is the liver’s produc-tion and secretion of bile. Bile detoxi-fies the body by literally carryingexcess toxins through the intestinesfor elimination. Bile is also responsi-ble for emulsifying dietary fats andfat-soluble vitamins for proper diges-tion and absorption in the small intes-tine.

Don’t neglect the health of your liverWith the overwhelming amount of

Be kind to your liverAnd it will last you a lifetime

toxins the liver has to process everyday it’s easy to see how it can becomeoverwhelmed. When your liverbecomes over-stressed, it affects everyorgan in the body.But there is a lot you can do tostrengthen and protect the liver. Turnto page 10 for a description of foodand supplements that will keep yourliver functioning properly and yourfriend for a lifetime.

References:Brad J. King, Awaken Your Metabolism,

Health Venture Publication, Hillsburg, Ontario,Canada, 2005.Sam Graci, The Path to Phenomenal Health,

John Wiley & Sons, Mississauga, Ontario,Canada, 2005.Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D., Next

Generation Herbal Medicine, KeatsPublishing, Inc., New Canaan, Connecticut,USA, 1990.Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D., Herbal Tonic

Therapies, Keats Publishing, Inc., NewCanaan, Connecticut, USA, 1993.Dr. Robert C. Atkins, M.D., Age Defying

Diet, St. Martin’s Griffin, New York, USA,2001.Dr. Cass Ingram, Natural Cures for Diabetes,

Knowledge House Publishine, Buffalo Grove,Illinois, USA, 2005.

Microscopic view ofliver cells

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Liver and Gallbladder FlushAn at-home, 3-day liver and gallbladder flush

Adapted from Age Defying Diet by Dr. Robert C. Atkins, M.D.Do not perform if you have known liver disease

1. From Monday until noon on Saturday, eat your normal diet and take yourusual supplements. In addition, drink as much fresh lemon juice as your appetite

permits. Dilute it with pure water to taste and sweeten it with stevia.

2. Eat a normal lunch at noon on Saturday.

3. Three hours later, dissolve 2 teaspoons of sodium diphosphate (milk ofmagnesia) as a laxative in one ounce of warm water. You may substitute the

milk of magnesia for two serving of the NSP’s herbal laxative LBS II.

4. Repeat step 3 two hours later.

5. For your evening meal, have only fresh grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or othercitrus fruits or juices.

6. At bedtime, have either 4 ounces of unrefined olive oil followed by 6 ounces of grapefruit juice, or 4 ounces of unrefined olive oil blended with

4 ounces of lemon juice.

7. Follow step 6, go immediately to bed and lie on your right side with yourright knee pulled up close to your chest. Maintain that position for 30 minutes,

then go to sleep.

8. The next morning, before breakfast, take 2 teaspoons of milk of magnesiaor LBS II in 2 ounces of warm water. From now on, continue with your normal

diet and supplements.

To know if the cleanse worked you should notice small, light-green, irregular

shaped objects in your stool the next day. Don’t be alarmed as this is normal.

Water: Water carries toxins and detoxification byproducts through the system and out of the body. Drink at least eight glasses of filtered or pure water a day. Avoid chlorinated and fluorinated water as these chemicals are a burden on the liver.

Cruciferous vegetables: To strengthen your production of detoxifying enzymes, include plentiful amounts of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, etc. They are high in a substance called sulforphane which is important for converting toxins into nontoxic substances in Phase I and II of the detoxification process.

Spice it up: Include spices in your cooking or take in supplement form such as ginger, garlic, and turmeric. All these contain compounds that protect liver cells from damage andare potent antioxidants. For example, turmeric is an effective regenerative liver tonic. It boosts the synthesis of glutathione, a primary liver antioxidant/enzyme. Ginger has been found to be protective against alcohol-induced damage to liver tissue. And garlic has a powerful antioxidant effect that protects liver cells from free radical damage due to its high selenium content.

Heavy Metal Detox: This is a primary herbal/vitanutrient combination for liver health. All its ingredientswork synergistically to protect liver cells and help in regenerative processes. Of note is N-acetyl cysteine and l-methionine—both amino acids necessary for the production of glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant/enzyme that is vital to detoxification and protection of the liver. Next is alpha lipoic acid which effectively strengthens the liver’s antioxidant defenses and stimulates the production of new liver cells. Only use for a limited period of time with rest periods.

Milk Thistle: In alternative health, milk thistle (silymarin) is used extensively to support, protect and regenerate the liver. The success of milk thistle is partly due to its antioxidant protective potency and partly because it stimulates the regeneration of liver tissue. In a review of clinical studies using milk thistle, Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D. writes: “Not only will milk thistle arrest the course of the disease, but it will stimulate individual liver cells to become sites for local regeneration of liver tissue. Over time, complete restoration of the liver is possible.”

Herbal cleanse (Bod-E-Klenz): Bod-E-Klenz accelerates weight-loss by stimulating the body’s own digestion and elimination processes to begin ridding itself of unwanted buildup, and activates body systems for efficient metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates. It’s an ideal cleanse to rid the liver of fatty buildup. This 30-day cleansing program includes herbs, vitamins and minerals that are time-honoured in supporting liver health—which includes: dandelion, ginger, turmeric, blessed thistle, goldenrod, and the mineral selenium, to name only a few.

Chlorophyll: Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that is a result of the energy-producing process know as photosynthesis. Reported health benefits of this green substance include liver health, elimination of body odour, cleansing of the digestive tract and neutralizing of toxins. Because chlorophyll from green plants has the ability to directly neutralize toxins, it reduces the detoxification load on the liver and has a general mild strengthening effect.

Healthy Liver Supplement Guide

(The SynerPro supple-ment line contains thespice turmeric. LIV-Acontains turmeric plus theliver-supporting herbsdandelion, artichoke andmore.)

(The SynerPro supple-ment line contains aplant-based concentratethat includes cruciferousvegetables.)