Happy Monday and the start of the final week if you kicked off with me on the 20th March.
It´s been wonderful seeing so many inspiring photos of soups and juices on the page. Thank you for sharing and continuing to inspire your fellow cleansers 👊
For those who have finished their programme, I hope to see you back for an Autumn ”Cleanse” later in September 2023.
More on BILE
As you all know from watching my webinars on the website the liver filters, breaks down, converts, and stores various substances so that your body can use or remove them. One essential component to this process is BILE.
- After filtering the blood, the liver produces bile. In fact bile production is one of the top functions of the liver.
- It is made from bile acids (or salts), cholesterol, phospholipids and water.
- Both the liver and your gallbladder are involved with the formation of bile and healthy bile flow is absolutely essential for your overall health.
- It plays an important role in the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine as well as flushing the liver of toxins.
- Bile, also known as gall, is a thick and sticky, yellow-green fluid stored in the gallbladder. Bile also works as a signalling molecule both inside and outside of the liver. The liver produces about 800 to 1,000 milliliters (27 to 34 fluid ounces) of bile each day.
- Healthy bile is filled with vitamins minerals and chemical compounds that work overtime to heal the inner lining of the gallbladder
How does bile support toxin removal:
When bile is secreted into the small intestine, fat soluble toxins are absorbed by the bile (including heavy metals, moulds and bacterial toxins) and then fibre absorbs the toxin-saturated bile carrying it through the intestines to be eliminated in stool. This is why pooping is so important and why constipation needs to be addressed.
Unfortunately many have a low bile production due to sluggish and weakened livers. With this the liver has to curb bile acid production because it has so many other critical functions to perform, so it will provide just enough, but almost operate at 50% capacity. A healthier liver produces stronger bile and more of it which supports effective toxin elimination.
When the liver is chronically congested, sediment often settles out of the bile and accumulates in clumps that resemble stones or sand in the gallbladder. As a result, the gallbladder can become clogged as well. Pre-existing stones can further aggravate the situation as they become lodged in the bile duct leading to the small intestine. It is common for those with some form of adrenal fatigue sufferers to complain of discomfort in the gallbladder area, especially after a meal.
Cortisol and the gallbladder
Cortisol also has a strong and direct effect on the gallbladder and bile production. When we are hungry, cortisol, is released from the adrenal glands. Upon reaching the liver, cortisol receptors are activated, and the gallbladder prepares for the imminent food intake. After a meal, bile is released from the gallbladder into the intestine. Bile acids contained in bile are critical for fat digestion. They breakdown fats into smaller constituents so it can be absorbed. After that job is completed, bile is recycled through the blood back to storage in the gallbladder. Our body recovers ninety-five percent of bile acids from the bowel content. This important recycling process is controlled in part by cortisol.
If the cortisol level is off balance or dysregulated, our gallbladder function will automatically be affected negatively. Symptoms can include liver/gallbladder discomfort after a meal, improper digestion with food particles in the stool, and signs of toxic overload such as brain fog, fatigue, and lethargy after a meal.
The following may also be affected:
BOWEL MOVEMENTS: Bile lubricates the small intestines and stool. Less lubrication can result in constipation and too much can lead to diarrhoea. A blockage in this area also increases the accumulation of toxins in the body, which creates oxidative stress, backing up waste matter. When too much food is left in the intestine, it ferments, which leads to leaky gut due to toxic gasses penetrating the intestinal lining.
WEIGHT STAGNATION: Bile salts break down fats, so adequate bile is required for processing fats and, as such, are essential for weight loss.
DRY HAIR; SKIN & NAILS: Bile helps the intestines absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Fat soluble vitamins, like vitamins A, D, E and K can only be broken down in the body if there is adequate bile.
STONE FORMATION: If bile is not continually being produced and flowing, cholesterol stones can result.
Eating bitters first or apple cider vinegar in water, eating mindfully and chewing food well, giving time to relax with your meal will all help with digestive capabilities.
The use of bitter herbs such as choleretics and cholagogues, may help to increase both the production and flow of bile, and also support the healthy resorption of bile.
A note for those in menopause:
The hormone oestrogen works on the liver to regulate lipid metabolism and maintain a healthy lipid profile. So when menopause begins and oestrogen levels go down, your body’s ability to maintain that healthy lipid profile can be affected. That can lead to increases in cholesterol.
