Our bodies are so incredible. Even as you're sitting here reading this sentence, a nearly unthinkable amount of events are happening - cells are being created, chemical reactions are occurring, nerves are being stimulated, food is being processed, you get the idea. This, of course, is a lot of work, which is why it's so important for us to take care of our bodies just as they take care of us. One of the most fascinating, and often neglected, organs we have in our hardworking bodies is the liver. When we take care of our livers, they can help flush out the "bad stuff" we ingest and detox the body. When we don't, not only does the liver suffer, so does our overall health.

 

The liver helps filter out the toxins from our bodies by excreting a yellowish-green substance called bile that carries waste products away from the liver. This process occurs after the substances we put in our bodies are passed through the blood that leaves our stomach and intestines. While the liver is vital for processing and flushing out toxins from the body, it also plays a vital role in other parts of the body as well. In fact, it plays a role in over 500 other functions in the body, according to Columbia Surgery's Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, including: 

 

 

• Albumin Production: Albumin is a protein that keeps fluids in the bloodstream from leaking into the surrounding tissue. It also carries hormones, vitamins, and enzymes through the body.
• Filters Blood: All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver, which removes toxins, byproducts, and other harmful substances.
• Regulates Amino Acids: The production of proteins depends on amino acids. The liver makes sure amino acid levels in the bloodstream remain healthy.
• Regulates Blood Clotting: Blood clotting coagulants are created using vitamin K, which can only be absorbed with the help of bile, a fluid the liver produces.
• Resists Infections: As part of the filtering process, the liver also removes bacteria from the bloodstream. 
• Stores Vitamins and Minerals: The liver stores significant amounts of vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, as well as iron and copper.
• Processes Glucose: The liver removes excess glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream and stores it as glycogen. As needed, it can convert glycogen back into glucose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Liver cancer - One of the most common liver cancers is called hepatocellular carcinoma, and is usually found after cirrhosis occurs. 
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) - According to the Mayo Clinic, "Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an umbrella term for a range of liver conditions affecting people who drink little to no alcohol." Essentially, there are too many fatty liver cells being stored in the liver which may result in something called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can lead to inflammation of the liver, cirrhosis, and liver failure. This damage is similar to those who have a history of heavy drinking. 
• Hemochromatosis - Hemochromatosis allows iron to build up in the liver, which damages the organ. It also allows the iron to be deposited in other areas of the body, which can result in other health problems.

 

 

 

 

 

Genetics, environmental factors, and medications also have a significant impact on the health of the liver, but with appropriate precautions, maintaining a healthy liver is an attainable goal. 

5. Limit Alcohol Consumption - Our livers can only break down so much alcohol in an hour, beyond that, alcohol consumption begins to damage liver cells and may lead to inflammation of the liver and cirrhosis in addition to other overall health concerns. How much alcohol one can consume safely depends on a variety of factors including body weight, genetics, sex, and metabolism, but if you are to drink alcohol, it is recommended that men limit their consumption to two drinks a day, and women one drink a day. A "standard" drink is considered: 

 

• one ordinary beer
• one small glass of wine or
• a small shot of whiskey

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Exercise Regularly - Physical activity helps to burn triglycerides, a type of fat found in the bloodstream that is used by the body for fuel. Triglycerides can be stored throughout the body when not used, including the liver, which increases levels of liver fat that may lead to fatty liver disease. Regular exercise also helps to reduce obesity, which can impact liver health. It is recommended that adults get 150 minutes of physical activity every week by the CDC to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

 

7. Follow All Medication Directions - When medications are improperly mixed, or taken at the wrong dosage, our livers suffer. Closely follow all directions and warnings found on prescribed, over-the-counter, and natural supplement medications and never consume alcohol while taking medications to avoid unintentional liver damage. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about the medications (don't forget vitamins and supplements!) you're currently taking so that they can help you avoid any harmful combinations. It's also important to ONLY take medications or supplements from reputable suppliers to avoid ingesting potential toxins or heavy metals. Overuse of traditional medications such as Advil or ibuprofen has also been linked to liver damage. 

 

 

• Milk Thistle
• Turmeric Curcumin
• Picorhiza Root Extract
• Boldo Leaf Extract
• Burdock Root Extract
• Dandelion Leaf Extract
• Alpha Lipoic Acid
• Yellow Dock Root
• Magnesium
• Taurine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus, all of 1 Body's supplements are manufactured in the USA at our cGMP certified facility (enforced by the FDA) and made with absolutely no sugar, salt, dairy, wheat, gluten, soy, preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors.