Detoxification
Your liver — the detoxification specialist
Knowing more about your liver function
When there is a problem, conventional medical tests can help determine if a person
has liver damage or dysfunction. These tests can only identify a condition like
liver failure or some of type of major abnormality. Conventional providers screen
for the “big” things like hepatitis or alcoholism, but if your tests
come back “normal,” they might tell you everything is fine, when it
really isn’t.
Practitioners of functional medicine use a series of “compound challenge tests”
to evaluate a person’s ability to detoxify. These techniques look for markers
of detoxification, and sometimes for remainders of the toxins themselves. They can
also reveal even slight changes in enzyme levels and may help pinpoint an imbalance
between phase I and phase II detox. You may have good function during phase I that
falls off during phase II, leaving you in a highly toxic state. Or you may have
low detox ability in both phases — a sign that you can’t detox fast
enough to meet your system’s needs.
If I have a patient who doesn’t feel well and has specific symptoms, such
as extreme sensitivity or reaction to fragrances or common chemicals, it tells me
we need to investigate what else is going on. I try to identify which toxins and
health conditions are likely risk factors for a patient and use this information
to develop effective treatment protocols. But if any tests reveal abnormal liver
enzymes, it’s a signal that she should have a full work-up and medical evaluation
to find out what’s behind these abnormalities.
How to support the liver and its ability to detoxify
Your diet is the single most important element for liver health, so we encourage
you to eat healthy, organic, low-glycemic foods, including lots of plant foods and
adequate protein. Drink plenty of water, of course, and choose filtered, spring,
or mineral water. Regular aerobic exercise is important too.
Avoiding exposure to toxins is advised whenever possible. This includes limiting
alcohol intake and taking only the prescribed dosage of prescription medication,
vitamins, minerals, or supplements. The jury is still out on vaccinations against
hepatitis A and B, but if you have an elevated risk for hepatitis, talk to a functional
medicine practitioner about your options.
The health of your entire body is dependent on good liver function. Here are some
liver-supporting practices and supplements:
Liver-supporting dietary practices
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables — plants are rich in nutrients that support
liver detox.
- Choose sulfur-rich foods, like eggs and cruciferous vegetables. They contain molecules
like methionine and cysteine, which help convert fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble
ones.
- Increase fiber intake — the main fuel for healthy gut flora.
- Avoid fried, smoked, or cured foods.
- Use alternative seasonings: lemon/lime juice, onion, vinegar, pepper, mustard, cloves,
sage, and thyme. They have detox-boosting phytonutrients, antioxidants, and alkalizing
minerals.
Our Personal Program is a great place to start
The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional supplements,
our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and optional
phone consultations with our Nurse–Educators. It is a convenient, at-home
version of what we recommend to all our patients at the clinic.
If you have questions, don't hesitate to call us toll-free at
1-800-798-7902. We're here to listen and help.
Related to this article:
References & further reading your liver
Last Modified Date: 04/18/2011
Principal Author: Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP