The air we breathe is often saturated with pollution and toxins. We live and work amid plastics and artificial substances and foods and medications are laden with chemicals, preservatives and artificial coloring. These toxins are inhaled, ingested and absorbed through pores into our the body. Other toxins are the result of natural body reactions and mechanisms. No matter what lifestyle and daily habits there are, everyone can benefit from a detoxifying cleanse involving the bowel, liver and blood at least once a year.
The kidneys, bowels, lungs and skin support the liver in its efforts to eliminate the multitude of toxins, but they too can become overwhelmed and unable to cope. This can cause symptoms of fatigue, tiredness, low energy, feeling ill, headaches, skin conditions and feeling ill.
The Liver is the Main Detoxifying Organ
The liver is the primary organ responsible for cleansing the body of pollutants and toxins.
This large organ works tirelessly to detoxify, inactivate and excrete toxic substances, drugs, hormones as well as dead and damaged cells from the body.
But an overload of toxins can leave the liver overworked and exhausted, allowing toxic and waste material to enter the blood and body. This causes symptoms such as hormone imbalances, fatigue and weakens the immune system. Physical symptoms such as allergies, indigestion, bloating, eye problems (spots, red or watery eyes), headaches, hot flushes, insomnia, PMS, muscular pain, head pain and neck tension can occur.
The Liver is Important in Metabolism and Nutrient Storage
The liver also plays an important role in metabolism and is involved in fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism and vitamin and mineral storage. Additionally, it is a major blood reservoir, filtering over 1.4 liter of blood per minute. Every day the liver manufactures and secretes almost a liter of bile. Bile is necessary for the absorption of fat-soluble material from the intestines, including many vitamins, and its secretion helps eliminate many toxic substances.
Islamic Medicine considers the liver the organ most strongly affected by emotions and stress. Conversely, Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes that when the liver is stressed, anger, depression and irritability are more likely to arise.
Many factors determine whether the liver performs its critical functions well. Too much pressure on the liver from overeating, too much rich or poor-quality food, environmental stresses, overwork or emotional stress can cause liver overload, leading to a decreased ability to clear toxins and hormones and manufacture bile.
For more information see these related articles:
- Foods to Detox the Liver
- How Mothers Can Boost Babys' Immune System
- How to Stop Chronic Fatigue and Tiredness
Reference:
Immunobiology - The Immune System in Health and Disease, by Charles Janeway, Jr. and Paul Travers. Garland Publishing, Inc. Fifth edition, 2001.
Noreen Kassem - Noreen Kassem is a hospital doctor based in London, UK. She has extensive experience in clinical research and an undergraduate honors ...
