Of all our detoxifying organs, the liver is the largest and provides more than 500 functions. Everything we eat, drink, inhale, or put on our skin is filtered by the liver. It even attempts to absorb stress and anxiety. Comprised of a network of ducts, cells and blood vessels, the liver retains about 13% of our blood supply, cleanses 3 pints a minute, adds nourishment, and then delivers the blood back into circulation. Our bodies and brains cannot remain healthy unless the liver is functioning properly.
Similar to an oil filter, the liver functions as a warehouse, a transformer and a recycling station. A dirty or clogged oil filter increases wear, and if a filter is not changed periodically it will eventually cause engine seizure. The liver breaks down everything that can’t be used, eliminates what it can, and stores the rest. In today’s toxic environment, the liver is under constant duress from ultra-processed foods, viruses, bacteria, microplastics, drugs and alcohol, medications, excess fat, pollution, toxins and the proliferation of chemical cocktails. People have been found to have ten to twenty pounds of excess waste stored in their liver.
Operating like a complex chemistry lab, the liver produces blood and bile, regulates glucose, stores vitamins, processes nutrients, synthesizes protein and regulates hormone levels. Simultaneously, it metabolizes drugs and alcohol, removes bacteria, digests fat, isolates and neutralizes harmful substances, and then excretes the unwanted materials into the bile or blood to be eliminated through the urine or intestines. The health of the liver also affects our mental health. If we need energy, the liver meets the demand by releasing stored fats, sugars, nutrients and vitamins as needed. Remarkably, if 75% of the liver were to be removed, it would continue to work and grow back in 8 to 15 days.
Our bodies are made of natural elements that come from the earth, air, fire and water. As like recognizes like, the liver recognizes natural elements, but it does not recognize synthetic chemicals or other unnatural debris. The liver can take a lot of abuse and will send no alarm signals until considerable damage has been done. Symptoms denoting liver toxicity include headaches, heartburn, gas, menstrual irregularities, bodily pain, tired burning feet, back pain, as well as emotional breakdowns like depression. When the liver is overwhelmed it will malfunction and send waste into other parts of the body where a sickness or chronic disease may develop. A blood sugar imbalance may also occur, resulting in diabetes.
In today’s toxic world, we are continually inundated with unnatural debris and poisonous chemicals. In response, periodic liver cleanses and short, proactive juice fasts are highly recommended. If the liver is overly contaminated, cleansing should be done in stages. If contemplating a serious fast, it is wise to detoxify the liver first so that we aren’t inundated with the accumulated poisons that will be flushed into the bloodstream during the first few days of the fast. A smart, preventative lifestyle is key to maintaining a healthy liver. Eat organic food, drink purified water, keep poisons out of your immediate environment, and practice periodic cleanses.
All things fasting, organ cleanses and detox formulas can be found in Fasting Firepower by Marjan. Additional articles can be found at www.marjanbooks.com.
