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MoonDragon's Health & Wellness
THE LIVER
(Description, Function, & Health)




The normal liver will be smooth texture and firm to the touch
Weighing about 4 pounds, the liver is the largest gland of the body and the only organ that will regenerate itself if part of it is damaged. Up to 25 percent of the liver can be removed and within a short period of time it will grow back to its original shape and size.

The liver has many functions, perhaps the most important of which is the secretion of bile. This fluid is stored in the in the gallbladder and releases as needed for digestion. Bile is necessary for the digestions of fats; it breaks fat down into small globules. Bile also assists in the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), and helps to assimilate calcium. In addition, bile converts beta-carotene into vitamin A. It promotes intestinal peristalsis as well, which helps prevent constipation.

After nutrients have been absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal wall, they are transported by way of the hepatic portal system to the liver. In the liver, nutrients such as iron and vitamins A, B-12, and D are extracted from the bloodstream and stored for future use. These stored substances are utilized for everyday activities and in times of physical stress. The liver plays an important role in fat metabolism; in the synthesis of fatty acids from amino acids and sugars; in the production of lipoproteins, cholesterol, and phospholipids; and in the oxidation of fat to produce energy. The liver creates a substance called glucose tolerance factor (GTF) from chromium and glutathione. GTF acts with insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Sugars not required for immediate energy production are converted into glycogen in the liver; the glycogen is stored in the liver and the muscles, and is converted back into sugar when needed for energy. Excess food is converted to fat in the liver, and the fat is then transported to the fatty tissues of the body for storage.

In addition to its important functions in digestion and energy production, the liver acts as a detoxifier. Protein digestion and bacterial fermentation of food in the intestines produce ammonia as a byproduct; this ammonia is detoxified by the liver. The liver combines toxic substances (including metabolic waste products, insecticide residues, drugs, alcohol, and other harmful chemicals) with substances that are less toxic. These substances are then excreted via the kidneys. Thus, in order for the liver to function properly, you must also have proper kidney function.

Finally, the liver is responsible for regulating thyroid function by converting thyroxine (T-4), a thyroid hormone, into its more active form, triidothyronine (T-3). Inadequate conversion of T-4 into T-3 by the liver may lead to hypothyroidism. The liver also breaks down hormones like adrenaline, aldosterone, estrogen, and insulin after they have performed their needed functions.

The nutrients listed in the "Nutrient Table" below can help maintain proper liver function.





HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS, RECOMMENDATIONS & NUTRIENTS


HERBS

  • Use Celandine and Silymarin ( Milk Thistle Extract) daily to help maintain liver function. Caution: Do not use Celandine during pregnancy.


  • Herbal Remedies: Liver Detoxifier & Regenerator, NOW Foods, 90 Caps

    Herbal Remedies: Ultimate Liver Cleanse, Nature's Secret, 60 Tabs

    Herbal Remedies: Ultimate Fasting Cleanse, Includes 2 Free CD's, Nature's Secret, 5 Part 5 Day Program

    Herbal Remedies: Thisilyn, Milk Thistle Extract, Vegetarian, Nature's Way, 175 mg, 100 VCaps

    Herbal Remedies: Milk Thistle Extract, Standardized, Nature's Way, 175 mg, 60 VCaps

    Herbal Remedies: AlcohLiver Fix, Yangan, 60 Caps

    Herbal Remedies: Colon & Liver Cleanser (CAC Liquid), 16 fl. Oz.

    Herbal Remedies: Detox Support, NOW Foods, 90 Caps

    Herbal Remedies: Celandine Supplements & Products

    Herbal Remedies: Milk Thistle Supplements & Products

  • Liv-R-Actin from Nature's Plus is a good source of Milk Thistle. Take 2 capsules 3 times daily, before meals.







  • RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Increase your consumption of foods high in potassium, such as almonds, bananas, blackstrap molasses, brewer's yeast, dulse, kelp, prunes, raisins, rice and wheat bran, and seeds.


  • Drink plenty of quality water. Steam-distilled water is recommended. When taking supplements, always take them with a full glass of water.


  • Avoid constipating foods. The liver has to work twice as hard if you are constipated. Be sure you diet contains sufficient amounts of choline, inositol, and lecithin, as well as bulk and fiber.


  • Do not smoke, and avoid alcohol, coffee, fish, fowl, meat, salt, soft drinks, sugar, tea, and spicy or fried foods.


  • Perform a 3 day fast once every 30 days. To help cleanse the liver while fasting, drink beet juice, carrot juice, black radish extract, and dandelion extract. Chlorophyll and distilled water with lemon are excellent blood purifiers and liver cleansers. Regular cleansing of the body, especially the liver, is vital to maintaining good health.


  • Do not take more than 10,000 IU of vitamin A daily on an ongoing basis, and avoid cod liver oil. Do not take more than 1,500 mg of niacin daily.





  • CONSIDERATIONS

  • Animal studies indicate that the typical American diet is damaging to the liver. Improper diet results in allergies, digestive disorders, a low energy level, and an inability to detoxify harmful substances.


  • The four basic reasons for poor liver function are:
    • 1. The presence of cumulative poisons. Insecticides, preservatives, and other toxins can build up in and impair the liver. Even though a particular toxin may not accumulate in the liver, liver function may suffer if the functioning of other organs, especially the pancreas and/or kidneys, is adversely affected by the toxin.

      2. An improper diet. A diet that is low in protein and high in carbohydrates and fats, especially saturated fats, fried foods, and hydrogenated fats, is hard on the liver and may not provide sufficient protein building blocks necessary for repair. Poor food choices include processed foods, junk foods, refined white flour products, white sugar products, and imitation foods that are designed to appear and taste like an original product but that have been robbed of natural vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.

      3. Overeating. Overeating is probably the most common cause of liver malfunction. Overeating creates excess work for the liver, resulting in liver fatigue. In addition, the liver must detoxify all of the various chemicals present in our food supply today. When the liver is overworked, it may not detoxify harmful substances properly.

      4. Drugs. Drugs put a great strain on the liver. Drugs are substances that are foreign and unnatural to the body. These foreign substances cause the liver to work overtime in excreting these toxins. The liver neutralizes the effects of drugs on the body. Alcohol is particularly toxic to the liver. When excessive amounts of alcohol enter the liver, the liver begins to lose its functioning capacity. Other substances that can contribute to liver malfunction include oral contraceptives and caffeine.





    NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

    The following nutrients are important for healing once appropriate local treatment has been administered. Unless otherwise specified, the following recommended doses are for those over the age of 18. For a child between 12 and 17 years old, reduce the dose to 3/4 the recommended amount. For a child between 6 and 12 years old, use 1/2 the recommended dose, and for a child under 6, use 1/4 the recommended amount.

    NUTRIENTS
    Supplement Suggested Dosage Comments
    Important
    Coenzyme Q-10 60 mg daily. Helps circulation and healing of tissue. Free radical scavenger that also increases the supply of oxygen to the cells and supplies oxygen to the liver. A potent liver protector.
    CoQ10, Vegetarian Coenzyme, NOW Foods, 30 mg, 60 VCaps,
    CoQ10, Now Foods, 400 mg, 60 Softgels
    Free-Form Amino Acid Complex As directed on label. Take on empty stomach. A good source of protein that is easy on the liver because it has already been broken down.
    Amino 1000 Complete, NOW Foods, 120 Caps,
    Amino 1500, Chewable Blend of 20 Amino Acids, Predigested, NOW Foods, 150 Tabs
    L-Cysteine
    And
    L-Methionine
    As directed on label, on an empty stomach. Take with water or juice. Do not take with milk. Take with 50 mg vitamin B-6 and 100 mg of vitamin C for better absorption. To aid in liver detoxification and protect the liver cells. See Amino Acids for more information.
    L-Cysteine Structural Support With Vitamin B-6 & C, Vegetarian, NOW Foods, 500 mg, 100 Tabs,
    NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine), NOW Foods, Selenium, Molybdenum, 600 mg, 100 Caps,
    L-Methionine Plus B-6, NOW Foods, 500 mg/10 mg, 100 Caps
    Plus
    L-Glutathione
    100 mg daily, before meals. To aid in liver detoxification and protect the liver cells.
    L-Glutathione, NOW Foods, 250 mg, 60 Caps,
    ThioDox Glutathione Complex, Hypoallergenic, Allergy Research Group / Nutricology, 90 Tabs,
    Glutathione With Vitamin C, Hypoallergenic, Allergy Research Group / Nutricology, 60 Caps
    Lecithin Granules
    Or
    Capsules
    1 tablespoon 3 times daily, before meals.

    1,200 mg 3 times daily, before meals.
    Prevents fatty buildup in the liver.
    Lecithin Vegetarian Granules, 97% Phosphatides, Pure & Fresh, Now Foods, 1 lb.,
    Lecithin Vegetarian Granules, 97% Phosphatides, Identity Preserved Non-GE, NOW Foods, 1 lb.,
    Liquid Lecithin, Vegetarian, NOW Foods, 16 fl. oz.,
    Lecithin, Fine Vegetarian Granules, 97% Phosphatides, Pure & Fresh, NOW Foods, 1 lb.,
    Lecithin Concentrate, Nature's Way, 400 mg, 100 Softgels,
    Lecithin Supplement, Nature's Way, 1200 mg, 100 Softgels
    Liver Extract Plus B-12 Injections
    Or
    Desiccated Liver
    Injections: As prescribed by health care provider.

    As directed on label.
    To supply needed B vitamins, iron, and other nutrients that help to rebuild the liver cells.

    Use liver from organically raised beef.
    Vitamin B Complex 50 mg of each B vitamin daily, with meals 3 times daily (amounts of individual vitamins in a complex will vary). Necessary for normal cell division and function and tissue repair. A sublingual form is best.
    Ultimate B (Vitamin B Complex), Nature's Secret, 60 Tabs,
    Liquid Yeast B Complex, Twinlab, 16 Fl oz.,
    Vitamin B-100 Complex, W/ Coenzyme B-2, Nature's Way, 631 mg, 100 Caps,
    Vitamin B=50 Complex, W/ Coenzyme B-2, Nature's Way, 330 mg, 100 Caps,
    And/Or
    Brewer's Yeast
    As directed on label. A good source of B vitamins.
    Brewer's Yeast, Debittered, NOW Foods, 1 lb.,
    Brewer's Yeast, NOW Foods, 650 mg, 200 Tabs
    Vitamin B-12 1,000 mcg twice daily. Needed for protein synthesis and cell formation. Use a lozenge or sublingual form.
    Vitamin B-12 Complex Liquid, NOW Foods, 2 fl. oz.,
    Vitamin B-12, Nature's Way, 2000 mcg, 100 Sublingual Lozenges,
    Vitamin B-12 Liquid Supplement, 50 mcg, With Vitamin B-9 (Folic Acid), 400 mcg, 1 oz.,
    Vitamin B-12, California Natural, 1000 mcg, 60 Tabs,
    Vitamin B-12 LipoSpray, NOW Foods, 2 fl. oz.
    Multi-Enzyme Complex As directed on label. Aids in digestion. Relieves the liver of some of its burden.
    MetabolicZyme (Hypoallergenic), Allergy Research Group / Nutricology, 900 Tabs,
    Plant Enzymes, NOW Foods, Vegetarian, 120 VCaps,
    Enzymes, All Complete, 250 mg, 90 Caps,
    Multi-Enzyme Complex As directed on label. Aids in digestion. Relieves the liver of some of its burden.
    MetabolicZyme (Hypoallergenic), Allergy Research Group / Nutricology, 900 Tabs,
    Plant Enzymes, NOW Foods, Vegetarian, 120 VCaps,
    Enzymes, All Complete, 250 mg, 90 Caps,
    Infla-Zyme Forte
    From American Biologics
    As directed on label. Take between meals. Reduces inflammation.
    With
    Ox Bile
    As directed on label. Ox bile is a suitable supplement to the liver's production of bile.
    Ox Bile, Hypoallergenic, Allergy Research Group / Nutricology, 100 Caps
    Multi-Vitamin & Mineral Complex As directed on label. To improve overall health and assure proper nutrition. All nutrients are needed in balance for healing and repair of tissues and for immune response.
    Multi-Vitamin With Minerals, Hi-Tech, 90 Caps,
    Liquid Multi-Vitamin & Mineral Complex With Trace Minerals, Orange Mango, 32 fl. oz.,
    Liquid Multi-Vitamin & Mineral, Strawberry-Raspberry, Trace Minerals, 32 fl. oz.,
    Multi-Vitamin Mineral Complete, Trace Minerals, 120 Tabs,
    Maxi Multi-Vitamin With Trace Minerals Liquid, 32 fl. oz.,
    Alive! Whole Food Energizer, Liquid Multi-Vitamin, Trace Minerals, Citrus Flavor, Nature's Way, 30 oz.,
    Super Multi-Vitamin & Multi-Mineral, Pure Vital Earth, 32 fl. oz. (98% Bio-Available for Absorption),
    Damage Control Master Formula, High Potency, Multi-Vitamin & Mineral, 60 Packets (30 Day Supply)
    Phosphatidyl-Choline As directed on labels. For preventing fatty buildup and is important for energy production in the liver.
    Phosphatidyl-Choline, Derived From Soy, Allergy Research Group / Nutricology, 100 Softgels
    Selenium 200 mcg daily. If you are pregnant, do not exceed 40 mcg daily. A good detoxifier. Provides antioxidant protection at the cellular level. Powerful free radical scavenger and protector against cancer. Aids in protein digestion and protects against UV damage. Caution:Consult a health care provider before taking supplemental selenium if you are pregnant or have heart, kidney, or liver disease.
    Selenium Supplement, Yeast Free, NOW Foods, 200 mcg, 180 Caps,
    Selenium Ionic Mineral Supplement, Fully Absorbable, 50 +/- ppm, 16 fl. oz.,
    Ionic Selenium, Trace Minerals, 300 mcg, 2 fl. oz.,
    Selenium, 100% Natural, Nature's way, 200 mcg, 100 Caps
    Vitamin C
    With
    Bioflavonoids
    5,000 mg daily, in divided doses. An important antioxidant. An immune enhancer. Neutralizes toxic substances.
    Vitamin C Liquid w/ Rose Hips & Bioflavonoids, Kosher, Natural Citrus Flavor, Dynamic Health, 1000 mg, 16 fl. oz.,
    Ester C With Bioflavonoids, Nature's Way, 1000 mg, 90 Tabs,
    Vitamin C 1000 With Bioflavonoids, Nature's Way, 100% Natural, 1000 mg, 250 VCaps,
    The Right C, Nature's Way, 1000 mg, 120 Tabs
    Vitamin E 200-600 IU daily. A powerful antioxidant. Protects the liver from damage.
    Ester E Natural Vitamin E, California Natural, 400 IU, 60 Softgels,
    Vitamin E, 400 IU, 100% Natural, NOW Foods, 100 Gels,
    Vitamin E-1000, NOW Foods, 1000 IU, 100 Gels,
    Vitamin E, d-alpha-tocopherol, 400 IU, 100 Softgels,
    Vitamin E Skin Cream With Bee Pollen & Manuka Honey, 100 gm,
    Vitamin E Oil, 80% Mixed Tocopherols, Vegetarian, NOW Foods, 4 fl. oz.,
    Vitamin E Oil, D-Alpha, Vegetarian, 32,000 IU, NOW Foods, 1 oz.
    Zinc 30 mg daily. Do not exceed a total of 100 mg daily from all supplements. Boosts the immune system, cell division, enzyme activity, and needed for growth and healing of tissues. Use zinc gluconate lozenges or zinc methionate (Optizinc) for best absorption.
    Zinc Ionic Mineral Supplement, Fully Absorbable, 100 +/- ppm, 16 fl. oz.,
    Colloidal Silver & Zinc Lozenges, Silva Solution, 90 Lozenges,
    Zinc Lozenges W/ Echinacea & Vitamin C, Nature's Way, 23 mg, 60 Lozenges,
    Zinc (Chelated), 100% Natural, Nature's Way, 30 mg, 100 Caps




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