Liver Love

What is the liver?

The liver is the largest internal digestive organ in the human body, is a digestive organ that sits on the upper right side of the belly. Although it is indispensable in many essential physiologic processes, the liver doesn’t get enough attention as it should. We can study the waves from a brain when we hook up some diodes, we feel the beat of the heart and can realize when it’s out if sync, our muscles get toner and bigger when we exercise, we can see the rib cage expanding when we take a deep breath, the gut is constantly sending us signals, the bladder fills up and signals when it’s filled up. Then, there is the liver. It’s easy to forget it’s even there. But in reality, the liver is one of your best friends: it works hard for you day and night, it storages, filters, processes, services as a garbage center. It shields you, protects and defends you in every circumstance. If you are looking for a life-long best friend, don’t look further and start showing this beautiful organ some love!

The liver is always communicating with other digestive organs, receiving information about the level of available nutrients or the presence of threats like prescription medications, heavy metals or toxic substances. As the main organ involved in detoxification, it’s the liver that recognizes toxic substances and converts them into harmless material that can be released.

Liver Anatomy and Structure

Where is the liver located in the body? An adult human liver weighs in just over three pounds and sits in the upper right side of the abdomen, underneath the rib cage, where it’s connected to the gallbladder. The gallbladder is where bile is stored, which is also very important for digestion. The liver takes up the space below the diaphragm and most of the space under the ribs.

There are two large sections/lobes that make up the liver. Within the liver, there’s a specific type of tissue that is made of lobules, which transport blood and cells.

The liver has two main veins, one that delivers blood from the gastrointestinal tract and the other that supplies blood from the heart. The liver connects to other digestive organs via a system of tubes that collect bile, digest foods, and drain waste.

Liver Function: What Is the Liver’s Purpose?

What is the liver’s function?

One of the main ways that the body rids itself of toxins is through the liver. In fact, the liver is one of the hardest working organs in the body. It works tirelessly to detoxify our blood; produce the bile needed to digest fat; break down hormones; and store essential vitamins, minerals and iron. When liver function is not optimal, we cannot digest our food properly, especially fats.

Some of the essential functions of the liver include:

~Filtering blood coming from the digestive tract. It’s involved in storing blood and breaking down damaged blood cells so they can be eliminated

~Producing essential chemicals to help blood clot properly

~Producing bile

~Processing nutrients absorbed by the intestines, so they are more efficiently absorbed

~Helping to spread nutrients throughout the body via the bloodstream and keeping the amount of nutrients in the blood supply at optimal levels

~Eliminating toxic waste that’s left behind once foods/substances are broken down

~Removing toxins from the bloodstream, including bilirubin, ammonia and others

~Breaking down and removing excess hormones

~Breaking down and metabolizing alcohol and medications

~Producing essential proteins and cholesterol

~Storing of minerals, iron and vitamin A for when they’re needed

~Managing the conversion of fats from your diet and manufacturing triglycerides and cholesterol

~Taking the carbohydrates you consume and turning them into glucose, a form of energy, to be stored for later use

~Balancing hormones

The liver also interacts with other organs like the gallbladder, stomach and spleen, since it receives digested particles or toxins and decides what to do with them: circulate them around through the blood or eliminate them before they can cause damage.

For the liver to take care of the body, it must be able to perform optimally. When many people think of liver disease, they often think of alcohol-induced cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a serious health condition, but contrary to popular thought, alcoholism is not the only cause.

What is happening inside our livers?

In fact, there are a number of nonalcoholic factors that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver damage. Today, we are faced with so many environmental toxins occurring in our homes, places of work and in our food supply. It is essential for our general health and well-being to maintain good liver health.

Symptoms & conditions

If you have recently noticed any of the symptoms listed below, you could be suffering from impaired liver function:

~Abdominal pain

~Bloating and gas

~Nausea

~Acid reflux and heartburn

~Constipation

~Skin and/or eyes that are yellowish (a symptom of jaundice)

~Inability to lose weight

~High blood pressure

~Moodiness, anxiety or depression

~Dark urine

~Rosacea

~Chronic fatigue

~Excessive sweating

~Bruise easily

~Poor appetite

Fortunately, you can help improve your liver’s functioning. Through a thorough liver cleanse, you can start to feel better in a matter of a couple of weeks.

The best foods, herbs, supplements for your Liver

Eating a high-quality diet is essential for liver health. Two things a liver-supporting diet must take into account are low exposure to toxins and the actual nutrients the liver needs to carry out detoxification processes.

Foods rich in B vitamins, vitamin C and trace minerals are some of the best foods to support the liver’s functions. Glutathione-boosting foods are also extremely important. The following foods are rich in these liver-supporting vitamins and minerals:

-apples (hydration, detox)

-artichokes (strength)

-arugula (cleanse)

-asparagus (anti-inflammatory, expel fat)

-dulse (antiseptic, strength)

-bananas (fuel, soothe)

-berries (antioxidants, protection)

-brussels sprouts (cleanse)

-celery (detox)

-cilantro (detox)

-cruciferous vegetables (antioxidants)

-cucumbers (hydration)

-dandelion greens (detox)

-garlic (detox)

-hot peppers (oxygenation)

-lemons and limes (strength, detox)

-mushrooms (detox)

-onions (detox)

-pitaya (rejuvenator)

-raw honey (fuel, detox)

-red cabbage (detox)

-turmeric (cleanse, renew)

There are several healing hearbs and supplements worth describing because they have significant effects of hepatoprotection as well as therapeutic activities:

-5-MTHF (5-methyltetrahydrofolate) (elevates B12)

-ALA (alpha lipoic acid) (antioxidant)

-aloe vera (detox)

-ashwaganda (strength, hormonal balance)

-barley grass juice powder (nourishment, detox)

-burdock root (detox)

-chaga mushroom (strength, detox)

-CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) (support, protection)

-EPA and DHA (omegas) (strength)

-ginger (balance)

-glutathione (detox)

-goldenseal (detox)

-hibiscus (rejuvenation)

-lemon balm (detox)

-licorice root (detox)

-l-lysine (detox)

-milk thistle (detox)

-raspberry leaf (hormonal balance)

If you are struggling with a specific symptom or condition that we mentioned here, or if you are looking for everyday liver and health maintenance, you may find it helpful to work with a health care practitioner (go to “Offerings” page 😊) that can offer a specific support for you, along with other measures to care for your liver – that is, lowering fats, avoid trouble makers such as processed food, chemicals and toxins in your home products, skincare, etc.

Liver love for everyone!