The Liver - The Starfish of the Body
Strangely, the rise of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is rising in the US. It is estimated, 25% of Americans have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and many go undiagnosed.
What is the big deal about your liver and how to detoxify it?
Your liver is an incredible organ that is one of the primary detoxifiers of your body.
Just a few of the important things your liver does are:
Production of bile, which helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine during digestion
Production of certain proteins for blood plasma
Production of cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body
Conversion of excess glucose into glycogen for storage (glycogen can later be converted back to glucose for energy) and to balance and make glucose as needed
Regulation of blood levels of amino acids, which form the building blocks of proteins
Processing of hemoglobin for use of its iron content (the liver stores iron)
Conversion of poisonous ammonia to urea (urea is an end product of protein metabolism and is excreted in the urine)
Clearing the blood of drugs and other poisonous substances
Regulating blood clotting
Resisting infections by making immune factors and removing bacteria from the bloodstream
Clearance of bilirubin, also from red blood cells. If there is an accumulation of bilirubin, the skin and eyes turn yellow.
Due to the typical American diet (HIGH in sugars, carbohydrates, alcohol, processed foods, chemicals, and LOW in phytonutrients and healthy protein), our liver is often overworked and cannot keep up with the amount of junk we put in our body. As a result, the liver is not as efficient at performing all of the important tasks it does to keep us healthy. Aside from impairing our immune system and hormones such as thyroid, insulin, blood sugar, and others, which leave us feeling fatigued and irritable, most Americans are in the early stages of fatty liver disease and do not know it.
Since 2017 to 2023 fatty liver disease is one of the fastest growing conditions in the country.
The good news is you can heal your liver! The best way to start is by eating a natural plant and animal protein-based diet, free of anything artificial, and to get restorative sleep. Nighttime is when our body naturally detoxifies itself and if we are not getting quality sleep, toxic waste in our body cannot be effectively eliminated.
Like a starfish, the Liver can regenerate.
Another way to support the liver is with glutathione. Glutathione is known as the body’s master antioxidant, it’s critical for protecting cells from oxidative stress and the damage caused from toxins and enhances the immune system. The effect of glutathione on the liver is twofold: glutathione supports both phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification.
Additional crucial liver support vitamins and minerals include riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, NAC, or n-acetylcysteine, and Alpha lipoic acid (ALA). NAC provides the cysteine component of glutathione and helps to raise levels in the body. ALA helps to protect cells from free radicals as well as to regenerate antioxidants, including glutathione.
As a result in the rise of liver conditions, we’ve developed a specific 4 weeks protocol to assist your liver regenerating process.
If you are interested in regaining or maintaining your health, one of the most important places to start is with the liver. At The Wellness Lounge we offer an IV therapy liver detox protocol along with many other ways to help with detoxification including sauna therapy, lymphatic massage, and dietary advice. For more questions, to schedule a consult with our medical provider, or to start with some labs, please call 907-222-4019
References
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/liver-anatomy-and-functions
https://www.theforkclinic.com/post/how-to-detox-your-liver