The Importance of Liver Detoxification
Your liver is the most important organ in your body. It performs hundreds of functions that are vital to your health and well being, such as digestion (breaking food down to release the nutrients) and assimilation (building up your body tissues). It is the storage site for many essential nutrients (iron, copper, vitamins A, B12, D, E, K) and contains generous amounts of the B vitamins. It plays several roles in the formation of red blood cells and its Kupfer cells are an active part of your immune system. Amongst its many functions, one of the most important is detoxification, not only of your liver itself but also of your whole body. The liver detoxifies harmful substances by a complex series of reactions, and converts many fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble substances that can be excreted in the urine. It eliminates other fat-soluble compounds via the bile duct.

Bombarded with Toxins
Every day your body is bombarded with exotoxins from the world around you (pollutants from your environment, medications, alcohol, cigarette smoke, car exhaust fumes etc). It is also bombarded with endotoxins made by your own body (the byproducts of nutrient breakdown, hormones, bacterial waste products from your intestine and bi-products from old cells as they die). All are harmful and/or produce harmful substances. It is the job of your liver to convert these substances to compounds which are less toxic.

Toxic Overload
The rate at which your liver is able to eliminate toxins can determine your state of health and your susceptibility to disease. When your liver becomes so overloaded with toxins that the enzymes which deal with them can no longer cope, toxins build up in the liver then in your fat deposits and affect every part of your body. This leads to a variety of diseases including inflammatory conditions, arthritis, cardiovascular problems, headaches, chronic fatigue, premature ageing, cancer and obesity.

Weight Loss
Detoxifying your body can lead to better health. It can also, if required, aid weight loss, since toxin-laden fat tissues break down more slowly than non-toxic fat tissues.

Natural Detoxifiers
Many herbs and nutrients have beneficial cleansing and detoxification effects on your liver. A detoxification programme should include: Reducing exposure to external toxins and, Enhancing your liver’s ability to detoxify the poisons that accumulate. The following substances are considered to be helpful to your liver.

Herbs
Dandelion, Milk Thistle and Schizandra are all herbs that benefit your liver. Dandelion: contains many important agents; it acts as a diuretic, laxative, tonic and promotes the flow of bile, protecting the liver and helping in the prevention of such problems as liver congestion and inflammation. It may also help if your gall bladder is inflamed. Milk Thistle: contains silymarin and related compounds that remain in, and act in the liver, from where they can have secondary benefits throughout your body. An antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, Milk Thistle stimulates the flow of bile and aids your liver’s detoxification process, protecting it from toxins, free-radicals and oxidative damage. It protects the detoxification enzyme system, helps to maintain (protective) glutathione peroxidase levels and stimulates protein synthesis and repair, regeneration and normal liver function. Schizandra: is an antioxidant; it protects your liver, stimulates your immune system, respiratory system and central nervous system and improves fat and carbohydrate metabolism. It has been used to improve the liver’s detox capacity and provide a deepseated boost to the immune system. Beetroot is one of the best vegetables for the liver. It aids digestion, improves liver and gall bladder function and is beneficial in the treatment of constipation.

Detoxification Nutrients
Many nutrients are essential for supporting detoxification reactions, particularly for your liver’s cytochrome P450 detoxification enzymes and the related processes. Phase I (mobilization) requires proanthocyanidins, bioflavonoids, betacarotene, vitamins C and E, copper, manganese, selenium and catechins as antioxidants, plus iron, magnesium, molybdenum, manganese, copper, zinc and vitamins B2, B3 and B6 as coenzymes. Phase II (conjugation) requires N-acetylcysteine, glucuronic acid, glutamin, glycine, methionine, taurine, vitamins B5, B6, B9, B12, selenium and magnesium. Lecithin is a lipotrophic agent of prime importance to the liver’s function and for fat metabolism. Its synthesis in the liver is aided by methionine, lysine and several of the B goup vitamins. N-acetyl-glucosamine helps to improve the integrity of your intestinal mucosa, and nutrient absorption. The remaining (unspecified) nutrients, vitamins A and B1, biotin, calcium, chromium and vanadium have been included both for the liver, and so that the supplement can also be used as a general multi-mineral and vitamin supplement; for those wanting one with a strong bias towards detoxification and improvement of the liver function. Carnitine and coenzyme Q10, in conjunction with the above nutrients, improve cellular energy production. Xandria Williams book, The Liver Detox Plan is available from your practitioner of The Healing Touch or any good book shop (published by Vermillion ISBN 0091816777).

Thank you for taking the time to read this information guide. If you wish to order any of the supplements mentioned, please contact The Healing Touch so that your healthcare practitioner can prescribe Nutri products specific to your personal requirements.

The health notes information details how certain health conditions can be supported and improved naturally together with appropriate nutritional support and healthy lifestyle changes.

Product Groups

Liver Support | B-Complex