By Kay Leaman, Health Architect
These two organs are part of our digestive system and are often forgotten in our quest for better gut health. They are responsible for absorption and elimination and many diseases can be traced to the failure of these functions. We normally don’t even think about them until symptoms develop. So let’s take a brief look at these two critical organs.
The liver consists of 2 lobes. It works with the gallbladder, pancreas and intestines to digest, absorb and process food. It’s main jobs are:
• Making bile
• Filtering blood coming from the digestive tract before passing it to the rest of the body
• Detoxifying chemicals and metabolizing drugs
• Making proteins used for blood clotting and other functions
The gallbladder sits under the liver and stores the bile sent to it by the liver. The gallbladder is triggered when we start to eat releasing the bile into the biliary ducts and ends up in the duodenum, the upper section of our small intestines. (If you’ve had your gallbladder removed and would like information on what you can take to improve your digestion and nutrient absorption (especially calcium) email me with ‘Gallbladder Aids’ in the subject line.)
The bile is responsible for processing fats and absorbing the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K and Beta Carotene. It’s also responsible for gallstones which consist of bile material. (This is why, if you’ve had your gallbladder removed, you can still get ‘gallstones’.) These stones can be found in the gallbladder, biliary ducts and liver.
Failure to care for these organs can lead to more serious conditions such as liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, biliary cholangitis (clogged bile ducts which creates scarring in the liver), cholecystitis (inflammation of gallbladder) or chronic acalculous (natural movements of gallbladder are diminished and fails to empty), etc. Besides maintaining a healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet, decreasing your toxic load, regular exercise and stress management we can also go through a natural Liver and Gallbladder Cleanse. Proponents of this cleanse cite that it can improve digestion, boost energy levels and reduce symptoms such as bloating, gas and indigestion.
This cleanse is something a person needs to seriously consider as it is not for everyone. It requires you to follow a specific healthy diet leading up to the actual cleanse. It’s also an opportunity to upgrade your understanding of your health and habits.
To learn more about this cleanse and get a better understanding of how you can take control of your health email info@bestbody4life.ca with Article on Cleanse in the subject line. Linda Murphy, RHN, NNCP and Natalie Stratton, Lifestyle and Health Coach will be your expert health and motivational coaches and are offering informational sessions over Zoom in March. They’ll be held on Wednesdays (8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th) at 7:30pm. The informational sessions are free and offers you an opportunity to ask questions.
You are also welcome to email me (succeed.hdhl@gmail.com) with your intent to attend and I can send you the registration link. Here’s to Health!
