The liver is a remarkable, yet largely unappreciated, organ in daily life and is the primary organ that treats toxic substances and prepares them to be eliminated from the body. In fact, the liver is the second largest organ in your body (next to skin) and is the largest gland. More importantly, the liver keeps you alive.  Here are some of the other critical functions of the liver:

• Metabolizes carbohydrate, protein, and fat
• Creates enzymes, cholesterol, amino acids and protein
• Produces bile to digest fat and carry toxins out of the body
• Filters about 2 quarts of blood every minute to keep out unwanted substances
• Stores blood to be released to the body when needed.
• Maintains electrolytes and water balance
• Stores vitamins and iron
• Serves as a defense center for the immune system
• Detoxifies the body from hormones, waste products, heavy metals, chemicals, and other toxins

Signs of a “Sluggish Liver”:

Although medical doctors use groups of blood tests to look for liver damage in cases of infectious liver diseases or alcohol-related damage, these tests are not effective in showing the liver’s functional capability; loss of functional capability may not show up in conventional liver-blood screening tests.  Naturopathic physicians identify when a liver is sluggish.  Although it can continue to function off its reserve, poor digestion, poor nutrition, poor excretion of bile, genetic weakness, and excessive exposure to toxins can impair liver function and deplete the functional reserves.  Here are some signs of a “sluggish liver”:

• Poor skin tone
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Yellow-coated tongue
• Yellow skin color
• Bitter taste in the mouth
• Headaches
• Irritability and anger
• Low energy
• Abdominal bloating and constipation
• Pain under the right rib cage
• Premenstrual tension
• Arthritis
• Indigestion after eating high fat meals

Common Health Issues Attributed to Liver Problems:

Liver function is commonly stressed by alcohol and recreational drug use. However, excess hormone production, especially the adrenal hormone cortisol (which is constantly being created by the body in response to the stress of modern lifestyles). Sometimes the liver can store certain hormones for up to a year; this can lead to emotional imbalances such as depression, anger, and poor immune function.

Several of the common health issues attributed to liver problems include:

• PMS
• Menopause
• Cirrhosis
• Hepatitis
• Pale and greasy Stools
• Several digestive problems

Many of these health conditions improve when the liver function improves; this is why many natural health programs always include improving the health and function of the liver.  If you are showing signs of a “sluggish liver” or other health issues associated with liver problems, it may be time to consider undergoing a detoxification process.

Source: 10 Weeks to Wellness™, Paul Ratte, ND