The Liver – Hepatic System
The hepatic system plays a massive role in our health, and its function for the body is huge. Maintaining a healthy liver is crucial to overall health. Learn tips to keep your hepatic system healthy and supplements to support it.
The hepatic system consists of the liver and gallbladder. The liver is the largest organ in the human body and is situated under the right side of the rib cage. It weighs between 3 and 4 pounds and has two lobes, the left and right lobes, with the right lobe being the larger of the two. It has two vital roles.
- Making or processing chemicals
- Neutralizing poisons and wastes.
Functions of the Liver are performed by its creative cells known as hepatocytes. These cells are equipped to handle the basic substances (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) our bodies run on. Our blood carries these substances into the liver in one form, and the hepatocytes process them, after which they are carried out of the liver in a form that the body can use.
Main Functions of the Hepatic System
Protein Processing
The liver processes raw proteins from animal and vegetable sources into proteins that are acceptable to the body, excreting the waste. Proteins in the body are essential for the renewal and creation of cells, including the formation of hormones (the body’s chemical messengers) and the making of enzymes.
Carbohydrate Processing:
Carbohydrates are the fundamental building blocks of all physical matter and are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates are typically found in foods that are sweet and/or starchy. Our bodies use carbohydrates for energy. Our muscles burn sugar-like substances for energy. The liver converts carbohydrates into glucose and stores it as glycogen. Glucose is used immediately for energy, and glycogen (or extra sugar) is stored for later use as energy. A balanced blood sugar level is essential for the body to maintain. A shortage can cause brain damage. The liver stores excess sugar and helps the pancreas and adrenal glands maintain blood sugar levels.
Fat Processing:
The liver also converts fats into usable forms, and fats are transported by lipoproteins (aka cholesterol). LDL transports fats to the cells while HDL transports fats back to the liver for elimination. This usable form of fat is necessary for building or renewing existing fatty tissue. This fatty tissue is typically located beneath the skin and also serves as a shock absorber for the body.
Waste Disposal / Detoxification
Other cells, known as Kupffer cells, “vacuum clean” the blood of its impurities. Some of these impurities are bacteria, excess red blood cells, and ammonia (which is produced when breaking down proteins). Fat (including cholesterol) and blood waste products exit the liver through bile. Bile is stored in the gallbladder until it is needed to play its part in the digestive process, which primarily deals with the digestion of fatty foods.
The Liver and Herbalism
The liver has many functions, and herbalists place a great deal of importance on it. The Cherokee considered it to be the seat of healing. The Chinese believe the it is the source of life, the ruler of the blood, and the organ that harmonizes the functions of all the other organs. Traditional Chinese Medicine associates the element of “wood” with the liver and gallbladder. The wood element represents the ability to grow, expand, and live. Inflammation and stress can also impact it.
Because it has so many vital functions. Traditional Chinese Medicine places a significant emphasis on the role the liver plays in overall wellness. With this thought in mind, it is easy to understand when it becomes toxic or sluggish, it can relate to some of the following physical problems:
Digestive Symptoms
- Constipation – Bile acts as a natural laxative. If you are tight and restricted or lack bile, this can be an issue.
- Food allergies – This could be due to a lack of digestive enzymes or an overburdened liver that struggles to process certain nutrients.
- High cholesterol levels – Most of the body’s cholesterol is manufactured by the liver. Cholesterol is used by the body to bind with environmental toxins. Excess cholesterol is then removed through bile. If it becomes sluggish due to a lack of fiber or water, it could lead to elevated cholesterol levels.
- Intestinal gas bloating and stress – These symptoms could also signal mild dysfunction or sluggishness.
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea could be caused by the liver dumping excess toxins into the intestinal tract.
- Severe Body Odor – A General sign of body toxicity, and some feel it is time for some cleansing. Usually related to digestive sluggishness.
Metabolic Concerns
- Diabetes – The liver works with other organs to maintain blood sugar levels.
- Hormonal imbalances and PMS – one of the responsibilities is to break down excess hormones. If you have problems with liver enzymes due to sluggishness, you may not be able to break down the hormones, causing an imbalance.
- Hyperactivity – Irritation in the liver can make a person feel on edge and may even contribute to hyperactivity in children.
- Hyperglycemia – Inadequate stores of glycogen in the liver due to it being overburdened or sluggish.
- Insomnia – Traditional Chinese Medicine suggests that the liver is most active around midnight. If you feel restless in the evening and are unable to fall asleep, it may be due to liver issues, especially if you wake up feeling groggy.
Other Concerns
- Flushing of the face and hot flashes – According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver is believed to be the cause of the sensation of heat.
- Groggy, sluggish feelings, including brain fog – These feelings may also be associated with a sluggish liver, indicating that our system is becoming toxic and struggling to eliminate these toxins.
- Hay fever or allergy-induced asthma – The liver breaks down extra histamine through its enzymatic detoxification process. If this process becomes sluggish, histamine reactions can occur more frequently in the body, causing some people to experience respiratory problems.
- Headaches or migraines – If the liver is sluggish or you are dehydrated, making it difficult to flush out toxins, you may experience frequent headaches or migraines.
- Skin Disorders – In Western Herbalism, skin disorders (such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rashes) are believed to be caused by impure blood. They are treated with herbs known as blood purifiers. Most of these herbs also improve the liver and the lymphatic system.
- Varicose veins – usually, if one has sluggish venous circulation, they have a sluggish liver.
The Hepatic System and Emotions
Some people believe that the following emotional problems are also associated:
- Anger, irritability, and defensiveness – Traditional Chinese Medicine sees the liver as the seat of anger. Anger is the emotion that allows us to stand up and protect ourselves. If you relieve congestion, you will lose your anger.
- Depression and discouragement – A sluggish liver can create these feelings.
Just because you have some of these physical or emotional symptoms does not mean you have a sluggish or congested liver. It is merely to educate you on how much of a role it plays in so many of the body’s processes.
Lifestyle Tips and Supplements for the Liver
- Reduce the amount of chemicals from pesticides and food, including alcohol, that you intake.
- If you work around chemicals, make sure to wear protective clothing
- Use natural household cleaning products to avoid heavy metals and chemical solvents like formaldehyde
- Try to limit your exposure to environmental toxins
- Drink lots of water
- Dry Skin Brush to Promote Detoxification
- Suppose you choose to add supplements to support your health. My favorite overall support is Milk Thistle Combination from Nature’s Sunshine Products. If you want a gentle cleanse, I like the Liver Cleanse. For a deeper cleanse, the Tiao He 15-Day Cleanse is highly effective.
You can also take our Brilliant Body Health Assessment to help you determine which body system is in most need of support.
Reference: Steven Horne