Liver Toxicity: The Effects, How to Prevent and How to Repair

By: Dr Michelle Honda Ph.D.

Each day we expose our liver to thousands of toxic chemicals. In the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink and from our homes and workplaces. A healthy, well functioning liver with adequate antioxidant capacity is our body’s best defense and essentially determines whether or not a foreign substance has a toxic effect. Free radial formation is associated with degenerative disease and aging. Antioxidants kill free radials. Glutathione is our livers main antioxidant.

THE STEPS OF LIVER TOXICITY TO VENO OCCLUSIVE DISEASE

Lets look at what happens when we ingest a substance that becomes toxic to our liver which otherwise would not be so if we had sufficient glutathione in our liver. For example, the herb comfrey can potentially have a toxic impact on someone’s liver.

Comfrey like a hundred other plants or so contains pyrrolizadine alkaloids which are not toxic unto themselves. When we ingest comfrey, ideally enzymes called ester-razors break off certain ester compounds and it renders them non toxic. However some will always remain. The remaining pyrrolizadine alkaloids go through the Cytochrome P-450 enzymes. This is phase one detoxification.

Initially what happens is the body wants to make them more water soluble and remove them through the bile or the kidneys. Or, they may be converted into these compounds called Pyroles. Once you have pyroles in your liver; if you have adequate glutathione in your liver – no problem. The pyroles bind to glutathione and are removed through the bile or the kidneys.

However, if you have insufficient levels of glutathione in your body, they cannot be conjugated as its known and they actually hang about in the cells and bind to DNA and kill the cells. In the livers effort to repair itself, it forms scar tissue. This is veno occlusive disease and that’s the liver toxicity. So you see, it’s not the pyrrolizadine alkaloids that are toxic, it’s the compounds produced - the pyroles.

* Conjugation: The union of two microorganisms in which genetic material (DNA) passes from one organism to the other. 

WHICH NATURAL MEDICINE ENHANCES GLUTATHIONE IN THE LIVER?

Milk thistle, Alpha lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine, Ascorbic acid (1000mg) and Schisandra are all natural medicines that enhance glutathione in the liver.

LIVER TOXICITY IS LINKED TO MANY DISEASES

Since the 1940’s, the liver has been overloaded with all sorts of harmful synthetic substances, prescription medications, recreational drugs, cigarettes, heavy metals and inorganic minerals. The liver cannot function well once filled with toxic substances.
The liver easily accumulates and stores fats and fat soluble chemicals such as pesticides, hydrogenated fats (margarine), cholesterol and rancid fats. This weakening liver leads to all kinds of conditions; high cholesterol, clinical depression, mental illness, headaches, gallstones, skin disorders, low libido, fibromyalgia, cancer and chronic fatigue.

ONLY FOODS AND HERBS CAN HELP REPAIR A DAMAGED LIVER

The liver has enormous capacity to heal itself when toxins are removed. Only foods and herbs can help repair a damaged liver. The toxicity process can be reversed at any time by creating a healthy environment for the liver. This environment includes healthy foods, juices and herbs to help clean out toxins. For instance, start the day with freshly squeezed lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and water. Include liver enhancing herbs as part of your regular dietary regime such as barberry, rosemary, licorice, ginger, curcumin, milk thistle, dandelion, garlic, sage tea and Oregon grape root.

LIPOTROPIC FACTORS (INOSITOL), PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE, METHIONINE) prevent fatty deposits and help with their removal. Folic acid and B 12 support liver function and Coenzyme Q10 helps with most liver disorders. Bitter foods are natural liver tonics and stimulate bile flow and should be consumed regularly; artichokes, turmeric, black radish, Chinese red and white radish, bitter melon and rhubarb.

=== IN CONCLUSION ===

Enhancing liver detoxification will maintain health or regain health. When a chronic disease exists or does not respond to treatment, consider herbs to heal the liver before toxicity increases and manifests an even worse disease.

To learn more about ways to improve your health and wellness from Dr Michelle Honda or to learn more about Acai Nutritional Special Blend Beverage, visit http://www.michellehonda.com Dr. Michelle Honda is Holistic Doctor (natural and preventative medicine) in private practice at Renew You Holistic Health in Ancaster - Hamilton Ontario Canada. She holds a Ph.D. D.Sc. in holistic health sciences, holds an advanced nutrition degree (RNCP), is a Master Herbalist and an IIPA Certified Iridologist. In her private practice, she is available via telephone for health  consultations. For more details visit http://www.renewyou.ca or call the clinic at 1-905-304-0111. Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved. Reprints are acceptable ONLY if the entire article remains intact, including the author resource box!