One of the organs that doesn’t get enough accolades, at least not for being more than a “detox” champ, is our liver. In fact, it is the gut that is getting most of the current scientific research and clinical headlines. More precisely, the spotlight has shined most brightly on the diverse roles that the microbial populations that inhabit our digestive tract (the gut microbiome) have on our health.
Admittingly, this is for good reason. Until recently, scientists had been unaware of how almost every disease process, and organ system, is linked to the microbiome. The microorganisms in our gastrointestinal tract impact everything. This includes immunity, neurotransmitter production, detoxification and excretion, hormone metabolism, digestion, assimilation, and the synthesis of nutrients.
As a result, the gut-brain axis, the gut-thyroid link, and various other gut-organ connections have become quite popular paradigms. Thankfully, the bidirectional relationship between the gut and liver is also starting to gain more attention.
In my opinion, the last pair-up is paramount. Our liver is responsible for regulating over 500 different functions while also interacting with virtually every organ in your body. Our digestive, hormonal, cardiovascular, immune, and detoxification functioning all rely on the health of our liver.
Therefore, it’s not enough to just “treat the gut” when there are hormonal, mood, digestive, or any other symptoms. You also need to examine the liver. Furthermore, you cannot have a healthy liver if your gastrointestinal tract, its lining, and microbiota are dysfunctional.
In my latest post and video, I provide insight on how a breakdown in our digestive tract specifically affects the liver, leads to liver disease, and ultimately negatively affects the whole body. On a more positive note, I also provide some naturopathic and functional medicine interventions that benefit gut-liver health.
Topics include:
- a quick summary of the liver-gut axis from part I
- microbial imbalances and liver-gut dysfunction
- liver diseases resulting from an unhealthy gut-liver axis
- conventional and functional medicine tests to assess gut-liver function
- the role of probiotics, nutraceuticals, and lifestyle for a healthy liver-gut relationship
By promoting both intestinal and liver health, one can positively influences many health outcomes and wellness parameters.
Click here to learn more about how you can optimize the gut-liver link for better brain, hormone, and mind-body balance.
Naturopathic Medicine and Holistic Resources for Hormonal, Mood, and Digestive Support
- Free resources and more education on essential oils and mind-body wellness are available to you here.
- Tools for coping with isolation and separation.
- An Integrative Mental Health and Stress Resource Guide.
- My free online essential oils database.
Stay Connected! Sign-up for my weekly newsletter.
Disclaimer: This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.
