How to Have a Healthy Liver

The liver is our largest gland, weighing about three pounds, and is one of the body’s vital organs. It performs more than 500 functions, including: synthesizes plasma proteins, cholesterol and vitamin

D, stores glycogen and iron, destroys old blood cells, makes and breaks down hormones, regulates blood sugar, and most importantly, drives the detoxification of harmful toxins. One of the liver’s primary functions is filtering the blood. Almost two quarts of blood pass through the liver every minute on its way from the intestines, and it is often loaded with bacteria and other toxic substances from our environment. When the liver is working optimally, it clears 99 percent of the bacteria and other toxins from the blood before it reenters circulation. The liver also produces and secretes bile, which serves as a carrier for many toxins to be eliminated, as well as emulsifies fats and fat-soluble vitamins, improving absorption in the intestines.

All of us are living with some degree of environmental toxins in our bodies, and concerns about bloating, belly fat, acne and hormone imbalance can all be traced to a toxic, congested liver. One source of toxins, identified by a study conducted in the UK, estimates that the average Western woman applies more than 500 chemicals to her body during her beauty routine. Chemicals such as parabens (a synthetic preservative in everything from toothpaste to shampoo) and phthalates (a class of chemicals found in many “fragranced” lotions, perfumes and deodorants) are classified as potent hormone disruptors called xenoestrogens, which disrupt the normal function of hormones and cause a host of problems, from weight gain to slow metabolism and lack of sleep. Xenoestrogens have the ability to mimic natural hormones, specifically estrogen, causing a condition quite common among both men and women called “estrogen dominance.”

Since the liver produces and breaks down hormones as well as other environmental toxins, it is extremely important to consume foods and supplements that support liver function. A sluggish, toxic liver can and will contribute to major health problems.

Marita Schauch, BSc, ND, has a clinical practice and is the author of Making Sense of Women’s Health and co–author of The Adrenal Stress Connection. She is a women’s health educator for Natural Factors.

Herbs & Supplements for Liver Health

Milk thistle is the single most important herb for supporting liver function. It contains a group of flavonoids that have a protective effect on the cells of the liver as well as detoxification.

Indole-2-carbinol, DIM, sulforaphane and calcium-d-glucarate are potent compounds that help reduce excess estrogen in the body by binding harmful estrogen metabolites (16-alpha hydroxyestrone) and safely eliminating them out of the body.

N-acetyl cysteine increases cellular levels of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant involved in protecting the body from environmental toxic damage.

Alpha-lipoic acid also stimulates glutathione synthesis and has shown to protect against liver and nervous system damage from heavy metals and other environmental toxicity.

Adrenal support is absolutely critical to reduce stress, especially when dealing with the environmental insult that we are exposed to on a daily basis. Some stress-busting strategies are: adaptogenic herbs such as rhodiola, Siberian ginseng, suma and ashwagandha, B vitamins, vitamin C and magnesium. B vitamins also help support many of the detoxification pathways in the liver.

Marita Schauch, BSc ND, has a clinical practice and is the author of Making Sense of Women’s Health and co-author of The Adrenal Stress Connection. She is a women’s health educator for Natural Factors.