Understanding and improving the function of the liver.
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*Standard disclaimer that this does not constitute medical advice*
Let's start with the basics.
The liver is the second-largest organ in your body which is located in the upper right-hand part of your abdominal cavity underneath your diaphragm, right lung and rib.
Let's start with the basics.
The liver is the second-largest organ in your body which is located in the upper right-hand part of your abdominal cavity underneath your diaphragm, right lung and rib.
It is made up of two main lobes which are made up of thousands of tiny lobules and each is made up of numerous hepatocytes.
These line up and between each row there are small blood vessels that diffuse oxygen and nutrients called sinusoids.
These line up and between each row there are small blood vessels that diffuse oxygen and nutrients called sinusoids.
We can divide liver lobules into 3 metabolic zones: zones 1, 2, and 3.
Zone I hepatocytes are specialized for functions such as cholesterol synthesis, b-oxidation of fatty acids, and gluconeogenesis.
Zone II are crucial for liver homeostasis.
Zone I hepatocytes are specialized for functions such as cholesterol synthesis, b-oxidation of fatty acids, and gluconeogenesis.
Zone II are crucial for liver homeostasis.
Zone III are crucial for detoxifying based on cytochrome P-450, glycolysis and lipogenesis.
Now a portal triad/area/canal/tract or field, is an arrangement within lobules that consists of:
Now a portal triad/area/canal/tract or field, is an arrangement within lobules that consists of:
The proper hepatic artery ( a branch of the hepatic artery) which supplies the left and right lobes of the liver (not only that but the gallbladder and a part of the stomach as well).
The hepatic portal vein which carries blood from the pancreas, intestines, gallbladder and spleen to the liver.
To the liver, not from the liver, the hepatic vein does this, not the hepatic portal vein.
The hepatic portal vein which carries blood from the pancreas, intestines, gallbladder and spleen to the liver.
To the liver, not from the liver, the hepatic vein does this, not the hepatic portal vein.
Bile ducts which are multiple thin tubes that go from the liver to the small intestine which carry bile from the liver and gallbladder, through the pancreas, and into the small intestine.
Now obviously there are more cell types that reside in the liver besides hepatocytes such as kupffer and endothelial cells.
If you want to be healthy, you're going to need a healthy liver by default.
Now obviously there are more cell types that reside in the liver besides hepatocytes such as kupffer and endothelial cells.
If you want to be healthy, you're going to need a healthy liver by default.
Some functions of the liver include:
-Detoxification.
-Synthesis of bile salts which break down fats in the small intestine (and carry away waste).
-The 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.
-Lipid and protein metabolism.
-Detoxification.
-Synthesis of bile salts which break down fats in the small intestine (and carry away waste).
-The 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.
-Lipid and protein metabolism.
-Storing the fat soluble vitamins.
-Phagocytosis.
-Regulating blood clotting.
-Regulating blood levels of amino acids.
-Processing of hemoglobin for use of its iron content (the liver stores iron)
-Conversion of ammonia to urea (urea is an end product of protein metabolism and is excreted in the urine)
-Clearance of bilirubin.
And this is not even the tip of the ice berg.
Some of the common types of liver disease are things such as hepatitis, gallstones, ascites, liver cancer, cirrhosis and hemochromatosis.
-Phagocytosis.
-Regulating blood clotting.
-Regulating blood levels of amino acids.
-Processing of hemoglobin for use of its iron content (the liver stores iron)
-Conversion of ammonia to urea (urea is an end product of protein metabolism and is excreted in the urine)
-Clearance of bilirubin.
And this is not even the tip of the ice berg.
Some of the common types of liver disease are things such as hepatitis, gallstones, ascites, liver cancer, cirrhosis and hemochromatosis.
Now if you want to check out the health of your liver, you can check:
1. A basic liver panel
2. Serum endotoxin levels
3. Bilirubin
4. Ammonia
5. Albumin
6. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
7. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
1. A basic liver panel
2. Serum endotoxin levels
3. Bilirubin
4. Ammonia
5. Albumin
6. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
7. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Now let's move on to the main point of this which is how you can protect your liver.
Suggestion number 1: Limit the number of toxins that you're exposing yourself to.
This one is simply common sense since the greater the toxic burden that your liver is exposed to, the more unhealthy it will be.
The main things that you need to identify and try your best to avoid if you want a healthy liver are the following:
Suggestion number 1: Limit the number of toxins that you're exposing yourself to.
This one is simply common sense since the greater the toxic burden that your liver is exposed to, the more unhealthy it will be.
The main things that you need to identify and try your best to avoid if you want a healthy liver are the following:
1. Xenoestrogens
This means that you should mainly try to avoid:
Plastic.
Most plastic products can release chemicals that act like estrogen even in products that don't contain BPA. (BPA is a weak synthetic estrogen).
BPA is an endocrine disruptor, numerous studies have found that animals which were exposed to even low levels of BPA, had elevated rates of prostate cancer, decreased sperm count, diabetes, low testosterone and neurological problems.
Plastic also contains phthalates which are associated with increased prenatal mortality, reduced growth and birth weight.
Some plastic products also contain benzophenones but these are a bigger threat in personal care products since they come in direct contact with our skin.
Note: some product’s labels might say “BPA free” but most of them include BPS which you should also avoid. Just say no to plastic as much as possible. It’s good for the environment too.
This means that you should mainly try to avoid:
Plastic.
Most plastic products can release chemicals that act like estrogen even in products that don't contain BPA. (BPA is a weak synthetic estrogen).
BPA is an endocrine disruptor, numerous studies have found that animals which were exposed to even low levels of BPA, had elevated rates of prostate cancer, decreased sperm count, diabetes, low testosterone and neurological problems.
Plastic also contains phthalates which are associated with increased prenatal mortality, reduced growth and birth weight.
Some plastic products also contain benzophenones but these are a bigger threat in personal care products since they come in direct contact with our skin.
Note: some product’s labels might say “BPA free” but most of them include BPS which you should also avoid. Just say no to plastic as much as possible. It’s good for the environment too.
Synthetic fragrances.
The chemicals used in order to make “fragrances” are classified as allergens , hormone disruptors , asthma triggers , neurotoxins , carcinogens and they also contain phthalates, which are a serious endocrine disruption. Fragrances frequently cause allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and reproductive problems.
Triclosan.
Triclosan is also an endocrine disruptor which the FDA has banned from soaps but not toothpastes and has shown to decrease some thyroid hormones.
Parabens.
Parabens are the mother of all xenoestrogens since they are absorbed so quickly by your skin. Parabens are associated with increased risk of breast cancer and they can be found in makeup, body washes, deodorants, shampoos and facial cleansers. So you basically need to get rid of all the toxic feeled shampoos , moisturizers , sunscreens , fragrances, toothpastes, shaving creams and cleaning products.
The chemicals used in order to make “fragrances” are classified as allergens , hormone disruptors , asthma triggers , neurotoxins , carcinogens and they also contain phthalates, which are a serious endocrine disruption. Fragrances frequently cause allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and reproductive problems.
Triclosan.
Triclosan is also an endocrine disruptor which the FDA has banned from soaps but not toothpastes and has shown to decrease some thyroid hormones.
Parabens.
Parabens are the mother of all xenoestrogens since they are absorbed so quickly by your skin. Parabens are associated with increased risk of breast cancer and they can be found in makeup, body washes, deodorants, shampoos and facial cleansers. So you basically need to get rid of all the toxic feeled shampoos , moisturizers , sunscreens , fragrances, toothpastes, shaving creams and cleaning products.
PFAS/PFCS
PFAS are used to create non-stick surfaces mostly and are toxic and when heated they release perfluorooctanoic acid which is linked to thyroid disease, infertility, and a lot of reproductive problems.
The US EPA has aruled perfluorinated compounds PFCs as "likely carcinogens. PFCs are used to create heat-resistant and non-stick coatings as well.
Phytoestrogens and tap water
PFAS are used to create non-stick surfaces mostly and are toxic and when heated they release perfluorooctanoic acid which is linked to thyroid disease, infertility, and a lot of reproductive problems.
The US EPA has aruled perfluorinated compounds PFCs as "likely carcinogens. PFCs are used to create heat-resistant and non-stick coatings as well.
Phytoestrogens and tap water
2. Alcohol
Alcohol, is a literal poison that your liver has to filter and each time that it does, some of the liver cells literally die.
Now obviously the liver can regenerate, but we are surrounded by so many toxins, that adding alcohol on top of them is not a good idea.
Alcohol, is a literal poison that your liver has to filter and each time that it does, some of the liver cells literally die.
Now obviously the liver can regenerate, but we are surrounded by so many toxins, that adding alcohol on top of them is not a good idea.
3. Bad fats
I need to state here, that they negatively affect the liver both directly, but also indirectly by damaging the pancreas which reduces the ability of the liver to remove toxins but also to properly store glycogen.
So do your liver (and health) in general a favor by…
I need to state here, that they negatively affect the liver both directly, but also indirectly by damaging the pancreas which reduces the ability of the liver to remove toxins but also to properly store glycogen.
So do your liver (and health) in general a favor by…
4. Pesticides and herbicides
If you can invest in your food quality, invest in it, now.
Both herbicides and pesticides will damage your liver especially if you live in the States where the limits that are allowed are way higher compared to other nations.
The maximum level of…
If you can invest in your food quality, invest in it, now.
Both herbicides and pesticides will damage your liver especially if you live in the States where the limits that are allowed are way higher compared to other nations.
The maximum level of…
5. Foods fortified with inorganic iron
Inorganic iron will overload the liver so you will need to avoid foods that are commonly fortified with iron such as grains and milk.
Also if you have a baby and you are feeding it a formula, please read the ingredients and make sure that…
Inorganic iron will overload the liver so you will need to avoid foods that are commonly fortified with iron such as grains and milk.
Also if you have a baby and you are feeding it a formula, please read the ingredients and make sure that…
6. The mindless usage of medications (anabolic steroids included) and supplements
Commonly used medications such as NSAIDs, ibuprofen, Tylenol, statins and even H1 negatively affect the liver (among multiple other things) and you should never pop them like candy.
The same…
Commonly used medications such as NSAIDs, ibuprofen, Tylenol, statins and even H1 negatively affect the liver (among multiple other things) and you should never pop them like candy.
The same…
7. Processed foods
From PUFAs, to food additives such as gums, to colorings, to microplastics, to soy and so on, processed foods will be a bomb of toxins every time.
So stick to whole foods (they taste better too).
From PUFAs, to food additives such as gums, to colorings, to microplastics, to soy and so on, processed foods will be a bomb of toxins every time.
So stick to whole foods (they taste better too).
8. Heavy metals
Suggestion number 2: Take VERY good care of your gut.
The gut can affect the liver in multiple ways (check the gut-liver axis here: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) but one of them is the portal vein which transports gut-derived products to the liver.
So, take good care of your gut.
The gut can affect the liver in multiple ways (check the gut-liver axis here: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) but one of them is the portal vein which transports gut-derived products to the liver.
So, take good care of your gut.
Suggestion number 3: The right type of nutrition
There are certain nutrients that your liver needs in order to be able to do its job correctly.
The main ones are:
Bioavailable protein (obviously do not over do it, but if you do, thiamine can help)
B vitamins
Magnesium…
There are certain nutrients that your liver needs in order to be able to do its job correctly.
The main ones are:
Bioavailable protein (obviously do not over do it, but if you do, thiamine can help)
B vitamins
Magnesium…
Suggestion number 4: Lose excessive body fat and resistance train
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Suggestion number 5: Lower excessive serotonin
Reasoning: nature.com
Now some tools that you can use in order to battle excessive serotonin are the following:
Reasoning: nature.com
Now some tools that you can use in order to battle excessive serotonin are the following:
-Ginger
-Raw carrots
-Ginkgo
-Grass fed (beef) gelatin
-Raw carrots
-Ginkgo
-Grass fed (beef) gelatin
Suggestion number 6: Optimize glutathione
Suggestion number 7: Keep in mind the following liver protective tools (this does not mean use them (and especially all of them at once), just keep them in mind)
Thiamine
Milk thistle
Glycine
Taurine (not for more than a few weeks)
TUDCA (not for more than a few weeks)…
Thiamine
Milk thistle
Glycine
Taurine (not for more than a few weeks)
TUDCA (not for more than a few weeks)…
That was it.
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