Detoxification is reliant upon healthy liver, kidney, bowel, digestive, lung and immune function. Heavy metal toxicity, chemical toxicity, nutrient deficiencies or imbalances in the mineral ratios within the body can significantly impair any of these.

A healthy liver is required for a healthy bowel and good digestion. And, the better the liver works, the less stress there will be on the kidneys. The liver is also an important but often not recognised part of the immune system network, so you can see why it is so critial to take care of it.

The Symptoms of a Dysfunctional Liver 

Abnormal metabolism of fats:

• Abnormalities in the level of fats in the blood stream e.g. elevated LDL cholesterol and reduced HDL cholesterol and elevated triglycerides.

• Arteries blocked with fat, leading to high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.

• Fatty liver and build up of fat in other body organs.

• Obesity and /or inability to lose weight

• Sluggish metabolism Nervous System

• Depression

• Mood changes such as anger and irritability

• Poor concentration and “foggy brain”

• Overheating

• Recurrent headaches associated with nausea

External signs

• Coated tongue, especially yellowish

• Bad breath

• Red palms and soles

• Flushed facial appearance or excessive facial blood vessels (capillaries/veins)

• Acne, Rosacea

• Yellow conjunctiva on the eyes

• Red swollen itchy eyes (allergic eyes)

• Dark circles under the eyes

• Brownish spots and blemishes on the skin (liver spots)

Immune System

• Rashes and itchy skin (pruritis) Immune dysfunction

• Allergies- sinus, hay fever, asthma, dermatitis, hives, etc.

• Skin rashes and inflammations

• Chemical and food sensitivities

• Auto-immune diseases

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

• Recurrent viral, bacterial and parasitic infections

Digestive Problems

• Gall stones and gall bladder disease

• Intolerance to fatty foods

• Intolerance to alcohol

• Indigestion

• Reflux

• Nausea

• Abdominal bloating

• Constipation

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Haemorrhoids

Blood Sugar Problems

• Craving for sugar

• Hypoglycaemia

• Mature onset diabetes is common in those with a fatty liver Hormonal imbalance

• Intolerance to hormone replacement therapy (e.g. side effects)

• Menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes may be more severe

• Pre-menstrual syndrome may be more severe

What Does Your Liver Actually Do?

The liver has a number of important functions, some of the main ones being:

  • Detoxification of heavy metals and potentially toxic chemicals that originate from both inside and outside of the body including drugs, alcohol and toxins from intestinal microbes. This is accomplished with antioxidant nutrients and enzymes. The liver detoxifies harmful substances by a complex series of chemical reactions. The role of the various enzyme activities in the liver is to convert toxins into water soluble substances that can be excreted in the urine or the bile depending on the particular characteristics of the end product.
  • Storage of sugar as ‘glycogen’ and the conversion of glycogen to glucose when blood sugar levels drop. The liver is vital to the regulation of blood sugar levels.
  • Production and storage of proteins as well as the regulation of many substances involved in protein metabolism. This affects hormonal balance and brain chemistry because protein is required to build hormones and brain chemicals. It is also required for body repair and the immune function.
  • Production of bile which is essential for the digestion of fats and protein. Bile is the primary excretion tool for many of the chemical and hormonal wastes our bodies need to remove on a daily basis.
  • Production of blood proteins, clotting factors and substances important to the production of red blood cells.
  • Regulation and detoxification of a number of hormones.
  • Neutralization of ‘free-radicals’. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can damage tissues, mitochodria (the cell power-houses) and DNA.
  • Storage of vitamins and minerals, mainly iron, copper, B12, vitamins A, D, E and K.
  • Digestion. The liver plays an important role in digestion (breaking nutrients down).
  • Repair. It is involved with assimilation (building up body tissues).
  • Recycling. Red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen around the body, are recycled in the liver.

Many factors determine whether the liver performs its critical functions well. Too much pressure on the liver from overeating rich or poor-quality food, blood sugar crashes, overwork or emotional stress can cause liver overload. The symptoms of a sluggish or overtaxed liver are varied and can include any combination of the above symptoms. The symptoms are likely to manifest in the weakest parts of your body.

The Liver Phases 

Your liver is one of your most important organs of detoxification and continuously processes many different substances from your digestive tract and the rest of your body throughout the day. It has to deal with numerous compounds, some of which are very toxic and others which are beneficial, and to decide what to do with them. Your liver is very good at deciding what needs to be kept and what needs to be removed. It functions like a massive chemical plant that manufactures certain substances, detoxifies dangerous compounds, and sends its by-products all over the body for use, storage or excretion.

Your liver makes use of two pathways in order to carry out its detoxification work. These are called the phase 1 and phase 2 pathways. You could think of phase 1 as being the preparation department, and phase 2 as the packaging department. These are the routes by which things get to leave the liver and eventually, the body.

Phase 1 in the liver is the first stage of detoxification. You could think of the byproducts from phase 1 as many freshly laid and fragile eggs from different birds that are churned out every second in the phase 1 factory. These eggs need to be quickly organised and sent down the correct phase 2 conveyor belt before they back-up and create a huge mess. Chicken eggs must go down the chicken egg conveyor belt, and geese eggs down the geese egg conveyor belt. The eggs are swiftly organised on to specific phase 2 conveyor belts where the workers (phase 2 enzymes) add certain “special substances” to create boxes and bubble wrap (taurine, glycine,sulphate, glutathione and methyl) which stabilise the eggs and make them ready for transport out of the body.

You could think of the phase 2 pathways as being conveyor belts in constant motion extending outwards from a central point. This is where the phase 1 pathway empties its byproducts. Each phase 2 conveyor belt adds specific substances to those byproducts, enabling  the toxins to be passed either through the kidneys (urine) or the bowel (bile) and removed from the body safely. If one of the phase 2 conveyor belts is not working well the liver will try to shunt toxins down another one, but this is not always possible.

There are times when the process goes wrong. In Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) for example, phase 1 has gone into overdrive and the phase 1 birds are making way too many eggs, while the phase 2 workers are overwhelmed and can’t keep up with the packing. This creates a bottle-neck at the beginning of the phase 2 conveyor belt and the eggs spill over, making a mess. The toxic metabolites that are bottle-necked at the beginning of phase 2 start to circulate in the blood stream and can cause a lot of damage throughout the body. People who are chemical sensitive need help to slow down their phase 1 pathways and to increase their phase 2. The key trace minerals required are all in Essential Detox Minerals. Chemically sensitive people are sometimes referred to as “Pathological Detoxifiers” and can be identified as those individuals who are highly sensitive to fumes – petrol, solvents, paints and perfumes, react adversely to various pharmaceutical drugs or supplements and may have a reaction to drinking caffeine or alcohol.

Phase 1 can become easily over stimulated by chemicals, caffeine, alcohol and other types of toxic compounds. Phase 2 enzymes can struggle to meet the increase of phase 1 activity especially when the proteins, vitamins and minerals they rely on are not available in abundance. Heavy metals in particular can make the phase 2 enzymes dysfunctional by occupying sites within the enzyme that beneficial minerals should be filling.

Phase 1’s speed of metabolism can also affected by things like genetics, exercise and the presence or absence of certain foods, substances, drugs or supplements that either speed it up or slow it down. Phase 2 MUST be working well enough to keep up with phase 1.

The efficiency of liver enzymes decreases as we age. Aging also decreases blood flow through the liver, further aggravating the problem. Lack of physical activity necessary for good circulation, combined with the poor nutrition adds up to a significant impairment of detoxification capacity, which is typically found in aging individuals. This helps to explain why toxic reactions to drugs are seen so commonly in the elderly.

Individual Variance

Genetic quirks and other factors can change the amount of each nutrient required by the liver, or can affect the way the body converts some of the raw materials it is given. These can affect both phase 1 and phase 2.

For example sulphites are metabolised through several steps in order to produce sulphate, but some people are unable to complete the conversion of sulphites into sulphate efficiently due to faulty, overloaded or poisoned enzymes in their sulphation pathway. In order to keep the sulphation pathway in phase 2 moving, more molybdenum and zinc may be required for these people than the average person.

As another example, a person with “Gilbert’s Disease” may be able to correct this condition if they increase the nutrients required for their glucaronidation pathway. Different people may have problems with different pathways.

Minerals and Enzymes

All of the body including the liver,  runs on enzymes and relies on these to carry out house keeping, energy production, and to make substances that keep the body running such as hormones and neurotransmittors. Enzymes enable the cells to live, and must have the right vitamins and minerals available to enable them to work properly. Chemicals and metals increase the amount of detoxification work our bodies need to do daily, and detoxification takes nutrients. If we lived in a world without regular chemical or heavy metal exposure, it is possible that a healthy diet would meet our need for vitamins and minerals. However this is generally not the case.

The health of the digestion is heavily reliant upon the availability of zinc, B1, B6 and cobalt as part of B12. If the digestion in the stomach is weakened through a lack of zinc or becasue zinc is being blocked by mercury or another metal, the trigger from the stomach to the liver and gall bladder weakens resulting in less bile release into the small bowel. Because bile is a major detoxification tool, less bile means more toxic waste sitting around. 

Heavy Metals and Enzymes

Every enzyme system has preferred minerals it is designed to work with such as zinc, magnesium, molybdenum, iodine or selenium. If these are not present in the required quantities when needed, the body will opt to use metals or minerals that carry a similar electrical charge but which may reduce the speed at which the enzyme works or poison it all together. This is why heavy metals have such profound effects in the body and can cause such a wide range of symptoms. 

Minerals work in pairs or three-somes and many are affected by competition with other minerals. Zinc for example, will be thrown out if there is too much copper. Calcium will be replaced in the bones by lead if lead is high. Mercury will disrupt the use of zinc and selenium. Chlorine and Fluorine will stop iodine from being used correctly. Low potassium in the cells will inhibit the absorption of calcium. These are only a few examples of metal and mineral competition.

Heavy metals and chemicals will lodge in tissues throughout the body when they are unable to be excreted and can cause significant chronic health problems. This is especially so if they have an affinity for the liver and kidneys because the health of the body relies upon a healthy liver, bowel and kidney function to remove them. The enzymes in the liver for example, are reliant upon minerals such as selenium, germanium, zinc, molybdenum, magnesium, manganese, cobalt and iron to keep running and all of these can be displaced by toxic metals. 

Bile Excretion

Each day the liver manufactures approximately 1 litre of bile which serves as a carrier for the many toxic substances which are dumped into the intestines. In the intestines, the bile and its toxic load are absorbed by fiber and excreted as a bowel motion. However, a diet low in fiber can result in inadequate binding and re-absorption of the toxins from the bowel back into the blood stream. The problem is also magnified when unfriendly bacteria in the intestine modify these toxins to more damaging forms.

When the excretion of bile is inhibited, toxins stay in the liver longer where they can potentially do damage to the liver cells. This is usually due to obstruction of the bile ducts and impairment of bile flow within the liver and is often a result of weak digestion over many years.

The most common cause of obstruction of the bile ducts is the presence of gallstones. Gall stones may be hard (calcified) which show up on scans, or they may be soft fatty deposits of congealed, sticky bile which do not show on scans. The soft ones are more common and most people who’ve eaten a typical NZ diet at any time in their life will usually have some. When they are excreted they are easily identified by their bilious green colour which comes from the copper-rich bile salts they carry.

Liver Function Testing

Alterations of liver function in laboratory tests signify that cellular damage is occurring. However, relying on these tests alone to evaluate liver function is not adequate because in the initial or subclinical stages of liver dysfunction, laboratory values remain normal. “Fatty Liver” affects more than 50% of people over the age of 50 but it is not until it is fairly advanced that blood testing will reflect it. Common causes of fatty liver are incorrect diet, excessive alcohol intake, adverse reactions to drugs and toxic chemicals, and viral hepatitis. 80% of people do not know that they have uncalcified gallstones. 50% of children have uncalcified gallstones. Approximately 80% of all gallstones show no symptoms and may remain “silent” for years – their presence showing as generalised liver dysfunction and bowel problems.

Tips for a Healthy Liver

  • Eat organically produced foods as much as possible to avoid toxic chemical residues.
  • Avoid all artificial flavorings and preservatives.
  • Avoid damaged fats such as the hydrogenated fats and trans-fats found in many processed foods.
  • Use minimal cold pressed oils and do not use them for cooking. Only a little butter, ghee, duck fat or coconut oil should be used for cooking. Cooking with olive oil is still controversial. If used, do not heat it to a high temperature, or add water to the pan regularly. Try to use water rather than oil in cooking – i.e. poach rather than pan fry.
  • Make sure your nuts and seeds are really fresh and keep the serving size small. Ones in shells are the best.
  • Avoid excess saturated animal fat like sausage, bacon, salami, hot dogs, high fat dairy products like ice cream and cheese.
  • Alcohol is known to be a powerful toxin that will damage the liver. Even a small amount on a regular basis can create a problem when your liver is already overloaded. It is best to remove it while repairing your liver function.

Treating your liver well by following the above advice will have a huge impact on your health and longevity.

Infections and Parasites

The major percentage of blood being filtered by the liver is from the portal vein which carries blood from the intestines. The liver can remove a broad spectrum of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites from the blood which is desirable, as we certainly do not want these building up in the blood and invading deeper parts of the body.

Infections and parasites often come from contaminated water supplies and old piping, even those found in large cities. This can cause chronic infections and poor health. The safest thing to do is drink water that has been filtered using a high quality filter.

High loads of unhealthy microorganisms can also come from foods prepared in conditions of poor hygiene by persons who are carrying bacteria, viruses or parasites on their skin. Foods, especially meats that are not fresh or which are preserved such as deli meats, luncheon or ham also contain a higher bacterial load which will overwork the liver if they are eaten regularly.

Toxin Storage

Many of the toxic chemicals that enter the body are fat-soluble, which means they dissolve only in fatty or oily solutions and not in water. This makes them difficult for the body to excrete. Fat soluble chemicals have a high affinity for fat tissues and cell membranes which are composed of fatty acids and proteins. In the fatty tissues of the body toxins may be stored for years, being released during times of exercise, stress or fasting. During the release of these toxins, several symptoms such as headaches, poor memory, stomach pain, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and palpitations can occur. The use of coffee enemas and Purely Earth clay can remove significant amounts of both heavy metals and chemical toxins from the body in a safe and gentle manner. 

General Liver Detoxification Using Foods and Nutrients

Vegetable foods and many herbs are helpful to the liver. This is because they are a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins and benficial minerals. It is best to eat spray-free produce for obvious reasons. 

  • Beetroot and artichoke: both help with liver drainage.
  • Protein: fish, sea foods, lean meats, eggs, poultry, raw dairy, unpasteurized whey, rice or pea protein powders provide essential amino acids without which the liver cannot operate correctly.
  • Radishes, watercress, broccoli sprouts, garlic, onions, leeks, mustard sprouts, all Brassica vegetables, turnips, eggs, sardines: these are all rich in sulphur which is vital for detoxification. 
  • High fiber foods such as whole grains, psyllium, ground flax seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables: fiber binds toxins and eliminates them through the bowel. Kelp provides many beneficial minerals and alginate which helps to bind toxic metals in the gut.
  • Apples contain pectin which helps to bind and excrete heavy metals right off the intestines. This directly helps to reduce the load of filtration on the liver.
  • Beets, carrots, red onions, colourful capsicums and aubergine (eggplant) contain flavonoids and beta-carotene which are potent antioxidants.
  • Garlic contains allicin and the mineral selenium, both antioxidants. It assists the removal of heavy metals from the liver.
  • Eggs, brown rice and unprocessed whole grains, broccoli, spinach and other green vegetables/herbs contain B-complex vitamins which improve liver function and promote liver decongestion.
  • Brassica vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Bok Choy, kale, watercress, radishes, and turnips contain glucosinolates (as well as sulphur) which help the liver produce enzymes for detoxification.
  • Bitter vegetables such as bitter gourd, dandelion greens, mustard greens and chicory promote the production and flow of bile. Bitter teas such as dandelion, burdock and chicory are also good.

Supplements

You may be given supplements by your practitioner to increase the level of nutrients available to your liver and to help correct breakdowns in the various pathways. Some of these may be required long term due to genetic “quirks” you may have, or common depletions in our food supply.

B vitamins – B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12 all play a major role, acting as co-factors for many enzyme systems including those of liver detoxification. Making sure you consume enough of the B complex group of vitamins is of prime importance for optimum detoxification. Including plenty of green vegetables as well as taking a quality B complex supplement will aid the liver in this crucial role.

Vitamin C – A lack of vitamin C can impair the detoxification process. Vitamin C also prevents free radical formation. It is found in citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables. However in order to obtain optimum amounts, supplementation is usually required. I recommend 1-3 grams of pure vitamin C per day.

Vitamin E and selenium are co-factors for glutathione peroxidase activity as well as being powerful antioxidants. (Vitamin E also works synergistically with vitamin C.) Today, our diets are very low in selenium due to the depletion of the soil of this vital mineral. Vitamin E is also typically low in most diets due to food processing. Supplementation is often important and Essential Detox Minerals is an excellent source of bio available selenium.

Sulphur – See the list above of high sulphur foods above. These enhance phase I and phase 2 activities. N-Acetyl Cysteine and methionine are also excellent sources but can be over-stimulating in many people with a high toxic load. These should be used under the supervision of a practitioner. 

Vitamin B12 helps to metabolize fats and improves liver health. Cobalt is the “backbone” of B12 and is in our Essential Detox Minerals.  

Zinc is another essential nutrient and acts as a co-factor for many enzyme systems. Zinc deficiency can cause a whole range of consequences in digestion, detoxification, brain function, hormonal balance, immune function and tissue repair.  

Molybdenum is a major trace mineral required to run the sulphation pathway in phase 2. Without enough of it, chemicals, metals and hormones are not detoxified properly. Essential Detox Minerals is an excellent source of this little-recognised mineral.

Magnesium, Manganese and Iron are essential for many pathways in the liver, especially sulphation. Iron should always be tested for before supplementing because too much iron can be highly oxidative. Essential Detox Minerals are an excellent source of bio available Manganese. 

Choline and omega 3 fats are also required to support healthy liver function and the production of bile.

Filtering the Blood

One of the liver’s primary functions is filtering the blood. Almost 2 quarts of blood pass through the liver every minute for detoxification. Filtration of toxins is absolutely critical as the blood from the intestines contains high levels of bacteria, bacterial endotoxins, antigen-antibody complexes, and various other toxic substances. When working properly, the liver clears 99% of the bacteria and other toxins during the first pass. However, when the liver is damaged or overloaded, the effect of toxins increases by over a factor of 10.

Purely Earth’s Essential Detox Minerals are specifically formulated to ensure efficient and healthy liver function by providing the right balance of the key minerals needed in the liver pathways. They are also in a form the digestive system can easily absorb.

Where a high toxin exposure is known or suspected, we recommend getting a metal and mineral analysis done as metals will block the uptake of some minerals, thereby affecting their function in the tissue.  Knowing what you are working with ensures the best outcome. See our information on Heavy Metal Analysis.