By Shannon Roznay
When it comes to promoting long term health and avoiding chronic illnesses, your liver is of the utmost importance. It helps to modify and neutralize toxins, plays a major role in digestion and absorption, and works to regulate blood sugar around the clock. At this moment in history our livers are working harder than ever before! We are currently exposed to multiple toxic substances every day and are ingesting chemicals through our food supply, water sources, the air we breathe, and the products we use on and around our bodies. As such, it has never been more important to pamper your liver and give it the help it needs to run smoothly for years to come.
In the medical world they test liver enzymes in the blood and may also look to identify fatty liver disease via an ultrasound. Also known as “hepatic steatosis,” fatty liver disease is a condition characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver cells. Any elevation in liver enzymes should be considered cause for concern, as this indicates damage to the cells. Inflammatory processes and fatty liver can eventually lead to more severe conditions like liver fibrosis and cirrhosis if left untreated.
Most people do not know without testing if their liver is stressed but some common symptoms that would suggest a problem include environmental allergies, skin rashes, cracked skin (usually on the heels), yellowing of the skin or eyes, itchy skin with no visible rash, periodic pain under the right ribcage, right shoulder pain, and digestive disturbances to name a few.
Understanding the major causes of fatty liver stress and fatty liver is crucial for prevention and effective management. Furthermore, adopting dietary and lifestyle changes, along with exploring holistic treatment options, can significantly aid in reversing the disease. There is NO standard medical treatment for liver damage, and in fact one of the main causes of damage to liver tissue includes medications, both prescription and over the counter.
Excess body weight, especially fat around the abdomen, increases the risk of fat accumulation in the liver. Insulin resistance, commonly associated with obesity, leads to elevated insulin levels in the blood, promoting fat deposition in the liver. Strive to keep your fasting glucose levels at 85 or under—this is more stringent of a level than is recommended on standard blood work but it’s a worthwhile goal to prevent issues with insulin resistance. Additionally, have your fasting insulin tested. We do this with our patients and often see the red flag of elevated insulin before any other numbers show a problem.
Of course, the best way to keep blood glucose and insulin levels low is to avoid foods high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, and refined oils. High fructose corn syrup is a major contributor to excess fat accumulation and is unfortunately given to many children in the form of juices and soda, and many snack foods. This has led to a high number of children showing signs of liver disease as well! Artificial sweeteners like Nutrasweet or Splenda should also be avoided, as the body will still react by raising blood sugar even though these sweeteners do not contain sugar.
Alcohol consumption is a well-known cause for liver disease, as it raises insulin levels as well as being a toxin that needs to be neutralized. Alcohol should be used in moderation, and avoided completely if you already have signs of any liver stress.
What should we do instead to promote a healthy liver?
Eating a diet rich in omega 3 fats, high quality protein, organic vegetables and fruits, and limit refined, sugary foods and high fructose corn syrup is key.
Regular exercise and activity is excellent for keeping sugar levels balanced and also promotes lymphatic movement which allows toxins to be circulated through the liver to be neutralized.
Include foods rich in B vitamins, as the liver needs these to complete its processes effectively. This can include nutritional yeast, eggs, and eating liver as well. A high-quality B vitamin supplement is also helpful. Beets and beet greens also contain compounds that support liver health.
Home remedies that promote liver health include supplements or teas such as milk thistle, dandelion root, and turmeric.
Using an organic castor oil pack over the liver has been a long-standing recommendation of natural health providers and has recently become trendy thanks to social media. It’s an extremely effective way to reduce inflammation and promote healthy liver function. We carry these in our office and countless women have also reported improvement in their hormonal balance after using them—the liver has to clear excess hormones as well as other chemicals, so the outside hormones we’re exposed to through diet and plastics can affect our health as well.
Coffee enemas have also been a tried and true remedy for helping increase liver function and promote production of glutathione—a powerful antioxidant made in the liver.
In our office, we identify any specific toxins, food sensitivities, microbes, or other factors that may be negatively affecting an individual’s liver in order to determine if there are specific nutrients or herbs that may be useful in their case.
Liver stress and fatty liver disease are complex conditions with multiple contributing factors, but the liver is the most easily regenerated and healed tissue in the body, so adopting the above strategies will absolutely yield results. Exploring holistic treatment options is also essential which may include working closely with an alternative healthcare professional to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.
Dr. Shannon Roznay, D.C. has been practicing in Ann Arbor since 2005 at Thrive Wellness Center. She has specialized in holistic nutitional care since 2006 and teaching other practitioners since 2008. Learn more by calling (734) 470-6766 or visit online at thrive-wellness-center.com.
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When it comes to promoting long term health and avoiding chronic illnesses, your liver is of the utmost importance. It helps to modify and neutralize toxins, plays a major role in digestion and absorption, and works to regulate blood sugar around the clock. At this moment in history our livers are working harder than ever before!