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QUEST FOR ADVANCED CONDITION Liver Detox - Liver Cleanse |
Liver Cleanse - Liver Problems: A Serious Health ConcernLiver Problems: How do toxins get into my body? Exotoxins come from outside the body. These are inhaled, absorbed through the skin and ingested every day from polluted air, water, and soil. Our exposure to toxins is increased through smoking, overindulging in alcohol, taking medications, making poor dietary decisions, not drinking enough water, and using household chemicals. Toxins are passed from the intestines to the liver (via the portal vein), where they can be detoxified. Endotoxins are toxins that are generated inside our bodies. When digestion is poor, batercia in the gut act upon undigested food particles and create toxins. These toxins, in turn, can damage the mucosal lining of the intestine, which increases its permeability and allows toxins to enter the bloodstream an gain systemic access to all areas of the body. How is the Liver Involved in Detoxification? The liver performs more than 500 unique functions with one of its primary functions being to management of the detoxification process. The liver is one of the major organs of elimination in the body, along with the colon, kidneys, skin and lungs. The liver's role in detoxification is to change or detoxify harmful toxins into substances that can be safely eliminated from the body. Bile secretion is one of the liver's most important functions. A healthy liver will manufacture approximately one quart of bile per day. Bile serves as a carrier medium for the elimination of toxins from the body. If the liver is not working properly and is sluggish due to toxic overload, toxins build up and cause inflammation and oxidative stress. The body is thus subjected to cell damage from free radicals (highly reactive and damaging chemical compounds). Toxins are up re-circulated and eventually stored in fatty tissues, including the cells of the brain and central nervous system. The slow release of these toxins into the bloodstream is a major factor in the development of chronic disease. How does the Liver Detoxify Harmful Substances? The liver transforms fat-soluble toxins into a water-soluble form so they can be released through the kidneys (for elimination through the urine) and into the bile (for elimination through the colon). This transformation occurs through a two-phase enzyme process. In Phase I of detoxification, 50 to 100 enzymes metabolize or chemically break down toxins absorbed from the intestinal tract, as well as hormones, alcohol, nicotine, drugs and a wide variety of chemicals from food and water. In Phase 1, one of three things happen to toxins when they are metabolized they are: 1. Neutralized and released into bile. 2. Made water-soluble so the kidneys can excrete them in urine. 3. Converted to a more chemically active form called active intermediaries (pharmaceutical drugs are examples of toxins that require conversion to become active intermediaries). These molecular intermediaries are often even more toxic than the original substance and therefore, can do significant damage if they're not promptly eliminated. In Phase II, the next phase of liver detoxification, the active intermediaries must be converted a second time where they are combined with mineral compounds, amino acids or other biochemicals that are water-soluble. It is only after the additional Phase II conversion that they can safely be excreted in the urine and the bile. Toxins may build up in the body if either phase of detoxifications is inefficient or overloaded. People most likely to experience liver-related health problems are those who have rapid Phase I activity, but depressed Phase II function. Here active intermediaries accumulate, often causing more damage than the original toxins due to their increased toxicity level. People with this particular pattern of dysfunction tend to develop environmental sensitivities and drug intolerances. Both Phase I and Phase II detoxification processes are dependent upon availability of specific nutrients. In the absence of any of these nutrients, the liver's detoxification ability is impaired. The liver can continue functioning when as much as 70% of its capacity is lost. Amazingly, people often consider themselves to be in good health, despite the fact that they may exhibit symptoms that are often not recognized as liver-related. Such symptoms may include: Nutrients That the Liver Needs» Please note that this information does not intend to diagnose or prescribe medical advice. QFAC.com. does not directly nor indirectly dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of diet, fasting, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, nutritional supplementations, or anything else as a form of treatment for sickness without medical approval. If you are pregnant or nursing, under the age of 18, have a medical condition or are taking a prescription drug, consult your physician. In the event that you use any of the information presented within this article which is presented as research and opinion only - that you prescribe for yourself, remains your constitutional right. QFAC.com. assumes no responsibility. 
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