The Liver

The liver plays an enormous role in the removal and elimination of waste products and toxins from our bodies. As such we should endeavour to keep it as healthy as we can with regard to our food and nutrition intake as well as our general understanding of this vital organ.

Particularly in our Western society, our bodies are being constantly bombarded with a massive array of toxic substances and chemicals. Our foods are grown in soil sodden with chemical sprays and preservatives. The harvested grains are refined, leaving nutritionally "dead" foods. The air we breathe is thick with toxic fumes. We are exposed to differing forms of radiation, electromagnetic fields, etc. on a daily basis. All this means we are breathing, eating and absorbing substances that we are not meant to eat, breathe and absorb that have a toxic effect in our bodies. If these toxins are allowed to build up in our bodies they will lead to disease, illness and even prove fatal quite rapidly.

It is here that our liver plays a very big role both directly and indirectly. It is directly involved in the removal of toxins in the bile and via the digestive tract, as well as converting toxic substances into a less dangerous compound thus preventing the toxin lodging in other parts of the body during the excretion process. The liver is also responsible for the removal of toxins from our bodies in an indirect way, in that it manufactures and secretes bile, and this bile plays a part in the peristaltic action of our intestines as well as of course digesting fat. If these two factors are not functioning properly in our intestines, faeces can build up along with toxins that can cause a whole host of problems including colon cancer. These toxins will then inevitably find their way into the bloodstream causing more illness. Therefore if our liver is not functioning properly, or not being fed the correct nutrients, multiple toxicity problems can manifest all over our bodies.

Directly, the liver deals with toxins in a number of ways. As said, one way is the direct removal via bile that is secreted by the gall bladder. However in some cases the toxins must be made safe to pass them out of the body. The liver is responsible for this by converting them, through oxidisation, to a water-soluble state where they are then joined to small molecules known as polar molecules made up of certain amino acids in order that they may be eliminated from the body in a safe manner. This is effected by powerful enzymes in the liver. However, in order for these enzymes to function we need to have the correct balance of nutrients in our diet, either through food or supplements, such as the B-vitamins; magnesium, iron and zinc etc. and special attention needs to be paid to this if we wish to remain healthy. Another way that the liver plays a vital role in dealing with toxins is that of the removal of "spent" substances used by the body. Rather like when a shotgun cartridge has discharged its shot you are left with the empty cartridge to dispose of, so it is a similar case with certain substances released in the body. An example of this can be seen in the case of the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline, released during periods of high stress. Once used they must be disposed of and the liver cleverly does this by combining them with vitamin C into other substances fit for elimination. Once again the importance of the correct nutrients can be seen here as if there is a deficiency of vitamin C to aid the combing process the hormones are formed into other compounds that are toxic to the body.
With the above said the importance of keeping our liver as healthy as we possibly can becomes very apparent. It is with regard to this that a liver detoxifying plan is a most prudent measure and we can assist greatly with this by ensuring that the correct nutrients, in the form of vitamins and minerals are supplied to help effect the two main stages of detoxification. These are the processes of removal of the toxins from their various sites in the body, known as "activation" and their safe elimination from the body by combining with other substances, known as "conjugation". It is with regard to this that supplementation of B2, B3, B6, B12, folic acid, iron, manganese, magnesium, selenium and zinc, particularly, is so important.

In the meantime, stay healthy.

- Paul Spencer Dip. (Clinical Nutrition)

Paul Spencer is available for one-to-one custom diet plans, advice and nutritional coaching for all individuals, including sports athletes, actors, etc. He can be contacted at nutritionist@optimalhealth.co.uk.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article has been written for educational purposes only. Before undertaking any form of diet or exercise regime you should consult your doctor before commencement, particularly if there is an underlying medical condition.