Most health conditions can be traced right back to the governing organ of the body, the Liver. It’s called the “live-r” for a reason, we need it to live! It is hands down the most important organ in the boy; as a detoxification, digestive organ and part of the endocrine system, the liver is responsible for some of the most vital physiological functions in the body, including:
- Converting the nutrients in our diets into substances that the body can use
- Stores nutrients (b12, vitamin K2) and energy, and supplies cells with them when needed.
- Detoxification (takes toxic substances and converts them into harmless substances to be released from the body.)
- Releases bile to breakdown and digest fats and neutralize stomach acid.
- Produces glycogen (the body’s primary fuel source; fatty acids being the secondary fuel source. Most organs, sub-organs and the cells cannot sub-in or poorly utilize fatty acids for energy).
- Manufactures immune substances such as interferon and interleukin.
- Makes antioxidants glutathione and SOD.
- Synthesizes and metabolizes hormones
If you would like to lose weight, healing the liver is critical.
OXIDATIVE STRESS & WEIGHT GAIN
Oxidative stress is a type of biochemical stress that occurs at the cellular level. Oxidative stress is a term that describes the chemical reactions that occur as a result of insufficient oxidative metabolism, which damages the cells and DNA, ultimately aging the body.
Oxidative stress comes from:
- Reactive Oxygen Species (Free radicals)
- Environmental toxins (including poor diet, PUFA, air pollutants, heavy metals, pathogens, etc.)
- Poor Digestion (leaky gut and SIBO especially)
- Metabolic wastes from sluggish metabolism
- Inflammation Byproducts
All of these things can generate oxidative stress, which leads to cellular damage, disease and aging. When oxidative stress occurs, it down regulates liver function, specifically the enzymatic activity. This can cause the liver to become insulin resistant, fatty and impaired, leading to many other problems of metabolism. Excessive oxidative stress in the liver can lead to fatty liver disease and even the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
In fact, 80% of people with type 2 diabetes are also obese, while 75% of people who are obese or type 2 diabetes also have fatty liver disease.
WHERE TO DO: MITIGATING OXIDATIVE STRESS
If your goal is weight loss, you have to understand that losing weight isn’t just about counting calories or avoiding certain foods. As you can see, oxidative stress is a major underlying factor that leads to poor metabolism and weight problems. And there are many factors involved with oxidative stress.
Therefore, an effective, healthy weight loss program will depend on several interconnected factors, including:
- A stress-free liver
- Healthy digestion
- A healthy gut
- Hormonal balance
AS mentioned, these systems are interrelated, so we can help the body achieve balance in all of these areas simultaneously.
We can promote hormonal balance by minimizing our exposure to oxidative stress. We can minimize our exposure to oxidative stress by caring for our gut and liver. The health of the liver relies on the health of the gut, vice versa. An impaired liver can weaken digestion but poor digestion can congest the liver.
The liver receives about 70 percent of its blood supply from the intestine. After the intestinal wall, the liver is the next line of defense against food irritants, environmental toxins, and harmful microbes. So, if the gut becomes permeable or “leaky,” this puts more pressure than ever on the liver to filter toxins and leads to oxidative stress.
So, what can be done about it? Here’s a short list of things you can do:
- Antioxidants – One way to inhibit or reduce oxidative stress is with the use of specific antioxidants. Now the term anti-oxidant is quiet backwards, as we want oxidation to occur. However, certain “anti-oxidants” are able to promote cellular oxidation at the forefront, and limit inflammation. Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals and protect against oxidative stress. You’ll find antioxidants in bright ripe fruits and vegetables; and herbs like milk thistle, reishi, nettle, parsley and cilantro. Fresh orange juice is also a great source of a powerful antioxidant known as naringenin.
- Promote Digestion – Curating a healthy gut relies on many factors, including getting a handle on mental and emotional stress, eating an easy to digest diet, sufficient digestive enzymes, cultivate a healthy intestinal landscape by eliminating endotoxins. You might also consider going on a “detox” by eliminating harsh environmental toxins and promoting digestive function. If your digestive system is working, detoxification will occur naturally. I recommend checking out my online course Perfect Digestion to learn more. For the short term, I recommend the Digestive Care Multi, which helps to gentle cleanse the liver, eliminating toxins, replenishing beneficial bacteria and yeast, and improving digestion.
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