The liver is the main detoxifying organ of the physical body. In the light (or is it darkness?) of the substantial amounts of toxic substances in the food we eat, the city water we drink, the air we breathe, the out gassing of formaldehyde and other toxins by many building materials, new carpeting, furniture, clothing, etc., the liver in most people needs a lot of help. Aside from detoxifying these external toxins, the liver also detoxifies excess hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, etc., partly digested proteins, ammonia from the breakdown of protein, and other toxins produced internally. In some cases, the chemicals produced in the liver's detoxification of certain substances are themselves toxins, e.g., chemicals made in detoxifying alcohol consumed in large amounts and over a long time period can destroy the liver. The liver has over 500 other known functions, of which we mention only a few.

 

Liver dysfunction has many causes besides the toxic foods we eat and the use of drugs, most of which tax the liver. Prolonged constipation is one major cause. Diets high in protein such as meat, gluten, isolated soy protein, etc., overwork the liver, as do fried foods, excess animal fats, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable fats (margarine, etc.), roasted nuts, tannic acid in tea, artificial sweeteners, refined sugars, alcohol, tobacco and deficiencies of B vitamins. 

These are only a few reasons why you need that reddish-brown 3-pound organ located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity. You can do fairly well with only one-sixth of your liver functioning. If 50% of your liver were surgically removed (or taken by those aliens in their spaceships), the liver would normally grow back to full size in something like 3 months. What all this means is that it is often hard to find out if the liver is malfunctioning until the damage is well underway.

According to Ayurvedic principles, the liver is the principal site of agni (bodily fire) and provides energy for all other functions of the body. Similarly, in Chinese Medicine, the liver is responsible for the smooth flow of qi, or energy, around the body. In these 3,000-year-old medicinal systems, The Liver is King! There is no doubt that this, the largest internal organ, plays a crucial role in our health and wellbeing. In Chinese Medicine, the liver is either in Deficiency or in Excess. Also, the liver and immune system are intimately connected. Therefore, if the liver is sluggish, inevitably the immune system will be weakened, and the body becomes prone to infections and illnesses.

Not only is it the major fat-burning organ in the body, but the liver is also responsible for maintaining blood sugar levels, storing important vitamins, iron and copper, regulating the proteins that cause the blood to clot when necessary and detoxifying harmful substances. Keeping the liver from becoming sluggish can be a prevention to a large number of ailments.

A correctly functioning liver will buffer or regulate swings in blood sugar levels by as much as 65%. So, what this all means is that the liver's number one enemies are toxins, fat and alcohol; And liver loves proper hydration, good sources of minerals and nutrients, and safe ways to expel toxins so to not harm other vital organs. 

 

Dr. Linus Pauling, American biochemist and chemical engineer, and two-time Nobel Prize winner advocates that minerals are often called the "spark plugs" of our bodies and carry out essential functions, including transporting nutrients, aiding in digestion, providing co-factors for enzyme reactions, and maintaining proper pH levels; all of which are essential for a healthy liver.

There are a few esoteric views that fold into a liver and how it absorbs emotions and its need for emotional healing. According to Dr Christiane Northrup MD, the liver, as it falls into the area of the third chakra, is part of the emotional center of the body and therefore relates to emotional center type issues. These include taking care of yourself rather than everybody else, body acceptance and self-esteem. And Louise Hay, an American self-help author and esoteric messenger, ascribes liver problems to anger, primitive emotions, chronic complaining and justifying fault-finding to deceive yourself. She suggests continued use of affirmations, such as "Love and peace and joy are what I know." Or "I choose to live through the open space in my heart." Or " I look for love and find it everywhere." 

A few simple aids to cleanse the liver for Spring and everyday include eating dark green vegetables, red skinned apples, black radish, cruciferous vegetables, asparagus, beets and drinking water with the juice of a half lemon upon waking, lots of water with lemon throughout the day and physically exercising.

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"Your liver and body seek the minerals and nutrients in animal meat derived from the plant life that animal ate" - Dr. Mark Houliff, PhD Nutrition

"You can trace every sickness, every disease and every ailment to mineral deficiency." — Dr. Linus Pauling, American biochemist and chemical engineer, and two-time Nobel Prize winner.

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1) Drink 16oz (pint) of water on empty stomach with half lemon or lime squeezed first thing in the morning, after brushing teeth.

2) Don't eat anything with fat until lunch. And/or eat fruit all morning!

3) Red skinned apples are your liver's favorite fruit. The darker the red the better. Think minerals! An apple keeps the doctor away!

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Works Cited from: Dr Joel Furhman MD, Dr Christiane Northrup MD, Dr Mark Houliff PhD, Dr Linus Pauling, Anthony William and Louise Hay