So… Been neglecting your liver recently ? A couple of wild nights out drinking leaving you feeling a bit tender… Here’s why !
The liver is the largest organ in your body and is located under your rib cage on the right side. The liver is miraculous because of its diversity of life-sustaining functions. An amazingly complex organ which virtually affects every physiological process of the body.
Weighing between three and four pounds, it is responsible for approximately six hundred and twenty functions. The average healthy liver produces over two thousand recognized enzymes and two thousand unrecognised enzymes.
It filters over a litre of blood per minute and produces from one to one and a half litres of bile each day. In most cases however, the liver operates at only one seventh of its ability.
The liver is the body’s primary “anti-pollution” organ. It is in charge of removing potential toxins from the blood stream. Through the bile, the liver is able to remove certain drugs and heavy metals such as mercury. It is responsible for destroying and removing red blood cells that have out lived their effectiveness. It is also responsible for the formation of most of the blood’s clotting agents. It cleanses poisons, toxins, and excessive build up of wastes. The liver aids in the digestive process. It has almost detergent like abilities to break up saturated fats and oils making it possible to eliminate them. It breaks down poisons from alcohol, hair sprays and deodorants among others. One key responsibility is regulating the metabolism. It metabolises fats, carbohydrates, proteins and many vitamins. Other functions include regulating blood sugar levels and balancing hormone levels, which lead to PMS. In a healthy detoxified liver, the left lobe is the area that produces the anti-allergens and anti-histamines which control asthma, hay fever, sinus, allergies, sensitivities and congestion. Heart and circulatory problems soon begin when the liver is not doing its job due to being overloaded with toxins. Eczema, psoriasis or rashes are also associated with liver congestion.
Even ‘healthy’ foods may not be digested properly when not eating a diet of 50-80% raw food a day. Diets high in fats, alcohol, carbohydrates and chemicals lead to liver damage.
Many people overlook possible liver impairments. Signs of improper liver function can include an intolerance to greasy and spicy foods. Your liver may also be impaired and toxic if you are experiencing weight gain, headaches, irritability, aches and pains, indigestion, chronic constipation, PMS, poor thyroid functions, poor skin conditions, eczema, psoriasis, bowel problems, food allergies or skin blotches. If you were worried about your liver in any way, the best thing would be to schedule a check up with your doctor. The doctor would then book you in and subject you to a liver function panel. A liver function panel is a series of blood tests that measures the levels of enzymes and proteins in the blood. These blood tests are performed to test for and monitor both liver damage and liver health. As you can see the liver is one of the more important organs in the body and we should not abuse it. There are numerous supplements out there to aid the liver and its functions. Things like water, milk thistle, ALA all play roles in detoxification of the liver or regeneration of damaged liver cells. The liver truly should be looked after and remember that it is one of the most vital organs within the body remember live-r. This will help you think twice when thinking about straining it to excess.
Keep smart, keep healthy !
Andrew McGee
Smokin’ Guns Fitness