Weight Gain + Toxic Overload = Stressed Liver (2)

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Weight Gain + Toxic Overload = Stressed Liver (2)

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Written by Emeka Aginam

Sunday, 27 April 2008

 

Liver stressors and detox solution. The liver is by far the most versatile

organ in the body and one of the most important. Weighing between 2.5 and 4

pounds in adults, the liver is the largest internal organ as well; between 3

and 4 pints of blood flow through it every minute.

 

It has been estimated by researchers that the liver performs nearly 400

different jobs. It is the body's most important organ, functioning as a liver

filter to cleanse the system of toxins, metabolize protein, control hormonal

balance and produce immune-boosting factors. Many of these functions are

essential to your overall health. My focus is how the liver plays a vital role

in

weight loss and helps reduce toxicity.

 

A FAT BURNING MACHINE:

Each day your liver produces a quantity of a yellowish green liquid called

bile that emulsifies and absorbs fats in the small intestine. Bile contains

water, bile acids and pigments, cholesterol liquids, potassium, sodium and

chloride.

 

This liquid is stored near the liver in the gallbladder from where it is

transported to the intestine as needed during digestion. Bile is the real key

to

the liver's ability to digest and assimilate fats. It can be hampered from

doing it's job because of bile nutrients, congestion, or even clogged bile

ducts, which hamper bile flow and result in less bile production.

 

If there is not enough bile produced, fat cannot be emulsified. If you have

a roll of fat at your waistline, you may have what is commonly called a

" FATTY LIVER " . Your liver has stopped processing fat and begins to store it. It

is

only when you bring your liver back to full function that you will lose this

fat. The liver metabolizes not only fats, but also carbohydrates and

proteins for use in your body.

 

The organ plays a triple role in carbohydrates metabolism. First, it

converts glucose, fructose and galactose into glycogen, which it stores.

Second,

when your blood sugar level drops and no new carbohydrates are available, the

liver converts stored glycogen into glucose and releases it into your blood

stream. Thirdly, if your diet is regularly low in carbohydrate, the liver will

convert fat or protein into glucose to maintain your blood sugar level.

 

The liver converts amino acid from food into various proteins that may have

a direct or indirect impact on your weight. Many proteins, for example,

transport hormones through the bloodstream. Hormones balance is crucial to

avoid

water retention, bloating and craving, as well as other health problems.

 

Proteins also help transport wastes such as damaged cholesterol and used

estrogen and insulin to the liver for detoxification and elimination through

the

kidneys. The liver's most important function and the one that puts it at

greatest risk of damage is to detoxify the myriad toxins that assault our

bodies

daily.

 

A toxin is any substance that irritates or creates harmful effects in the

body. Some toxins called endotoxins are the natural by-products of body

processes. For example, during protein metabolism, ammonia is formed, which the

liver breaks down to urea to be excreated through the kidneys. Other toxins are

the ones you consume by choice such as alcohol, caffeine and prescription

drugs.

 

There are also thousands of toxic chemicals that we breathe, consume or

touch in our enviroment (pesticide, car exhaust, second-hand smoke, chemical

food

additives and other indoor pollutants from paints, carpets and cleaners.).

 

Under ordinary circumstances, your body handles toxins by:

 

1. Neutralizing them, as anti-oxidants neutralize free radicals.

2. Tranforming them, as fat-soluble chemicals are transformed to

water-soluble ones.

3. Eliminating them through urine, faeces, sweat, mucus and breath. Working

with your lungs, skin, kidneys and intestine, a healthy liver detoxifies many

harmful substances and eliminates them without contaminating the blood

stream.

 

WHEN THE LIVER IS OVERLOADED.

The liver is a work horse that can even regenerate its own damaged cells.

However, it is not invincible. When it lacks essential nutrients or when it is

overwhelmed by toxins, it no longer performs as it should; hormone imbalance

may develop. Fat may accumulate in the liver and then just under the skin or

in other organs. Toxins build up and get into the blood stream.

 

Among the signs of toxic liver are:

 

1. Weight gain, especially around the abdomen.

2. Cellulite.

3. Abdominal bloating.

4. Indigestion.

5. High-blood pressure.

6. Elevated cholesterol.

7. Fatigue.

8. Mood swings.

9. Depression.

10. Dull skin and rashes.

 

When your liver is sluggish, every organ in your body is affected, and your

weight-loss effort is blocked. Blood vessels enlarge and blood flow becomes

restricted. A toxic liver is unable to break down the adrenal hormone,

aldosterone, which accumulates to retain sodium (and water) and suppresses

potassium. This can raise your blood pressure.

 

A toxic liver is unable to process toxins, allowing them to escape into your

blood stream and set off an immune system response. With repeated assaults

from escaped toxins, your immune system becomes overworked. Fluid accumulates,

and you may develop one or more auto-immune diseases such as arthritis and

lupus. A liver over-loaded with pollutants and toxins cannot efficiently burn

body fat and, thus, will sabotage your weight-loss efforts.

 

LIVER STRESSORS:

Nothing you do to your weight is as important as keeping your liver healthy.

This means avoiding as many of the damaging elements (like alcohol) as

possible while embracing liver boosters. Among the stressors are caffeine,

sugar,

sweetners, trans fat, medications and inadequate fibers.

 

SUGAR:

Annually, people consume over 150 pounds of sweetners and another 15 to 20

pounds of artificial sweetners per person. The truth is that most people don't

know they are consuming sugar. Food producers don't use it just for

sweetening. Sugar helps retain colour in foods; it gives a brown crust to bread

and

rolls, and adds body to soft drinks.

 

Ciggaretes, toothpastes, aspirin, even hair spray and postage stamps contain

sugar. Sugar, a simple carbohydrate, comes in many forms; not all of which

you may recognise in an ingredients lists: Glucoseb. Fructosec. Sucrosed.

Maltosee.

 

Lactosef.

Raw sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar. Molassis, maple syrup, sugar, honey,

corn syrup, high fructose corn syrub. Synthetic sugars: sorbitol, mannitol

and xylitol, aspartaine (all found in most " sugar-free- gum " ).

 

Note that one of the most widely used sweeteners in commercial foods comes

from corn, which is is a very sugary vegetable. Its ingredients include such

things as corn syrup, fructose, high fructose corn syrub, corn starch, dextose

and maltodextrin; thus you are eating and drinking sugar. Start looking at

ingredients labels and checking for words that end in -ose to sniff out the

sugar.

 

Be suspicious of anything " NATURALLY SWEETENED " . Rice syrup and can juice;

they are all sugar. Keep an eye on drinks. The source of most sugar intakes is

soda or energy drinks. Try to cut them out including the diet kinds; which

has fake chemical sweeteners. And, they could be very addictive. Beware of

sport drinks, energy drinks, vitamin waters and iced teas. They can be

dangerously high in sugar.

 

NOTE:

Do not substitute artificial sweetener for real sugar. The chemicals found

in saccharin, aspartaine and sucrolose can often be worse than the sugar

itself. Aspartaine (found mostly in diet sodas and energy drinks) is a chemical

that has been linked to neurological disorders, brain tumors, liver problems

and serious diseases.

 

Using artificial sweeteners can disrupt the body's appetite regulatory

system, which is expecting a rise in blood sugar from the sweet food but not

getting any evidence that nourishnent is happenning. Sugar contributes to early

aging and wrinkling, and is amongst the number 1 liver stressors. In the

process of sugar being metabolized, they rob your body valuable nutrients. Some

of

these such as zinc are essential for liver function. Sugar also inhibits your

liver's production of enzymes needed in the detoxification process.

 

CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.

 

TRY THESE LIVER CLEANSERS.

1. Miracle detox: A fat flush cocktail that cleanses the liver, expels

toxins, helps with abdominal fat and gives a glowing skin. (call: 08025660293

and

080724445137)

 

2. Apple Cider Vinegar: A functional health drink used for fighting

infection, improves digestion, burns fat and cleanses the liver. (Please, make

sure

it is the CIDER with " THE MOTHER " )

 

3. OOLONG TEA: A powerful anti-oxidant and fat flush drink.

 

4. NEGATIVE IONS DETOX: An electrical device used in cleansing the entire

system.

 

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[Guest guest]

I know I've put weight on since I started eating the NEW additives in

foods (Gums, HFCS,sea salt, & Carrageenan)and so has my husband. Many

are preservatives that are made from algae. For me this is a serious

problem.

Seems like chemists can't get enough algae to play around with. Maybe

they need a vacation from the lab......

I've had total blood tests recently which showed my liver was

functioning normally. What test do I need to get to show it's

overloaded with toxins?

llaci

[Guest guest]

Hi - just because a test shows your liver is functioning 'normally'

does not means it's functioning optimally....

 

Perhaps you need to cut out artificial 'foods' and try a liver detox -

you'll probably see a difference.

[Guest guest]

I can't say this surprises me (although all the extra info is

interesting and helpful): I have been doing a liver detox the past

couple of months and have lost a few pounds - all around the middle.

And it wasn't my main goal - but nice that it's happened.