poor liver function = weight gain

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The hidden cause of unexplained weight gain may be poor liver function

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 by: Derrell

http://www.naturalnews.com/035305_weight_gain_fatty_liver_obesity.html#ixzz1plSN\

TVIL

(NaturalNews) The issue of weight is a prevalent source of discontent

especially in western cultures. It seems that we havewoken upand realized

that weight control is about much more than keeping up appearances. Obesity

rates have skyrocketed along with the associated adverse health conditions.

Each year more and more people choose to eat right and exercise but still

struggle with weight issues and chronic degenerative conditions such as high

blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, etc. A seldom-discussed

yet extremely important aspect of weight loss is liver function. Traditional

diets see-saw between high fat, nutritionally void foods and weight loss

gimmicks and products that actually causes people to gain weight in the long

run. In the middle of all this is a liver that grows, quite literally,

fattier and more sluggish by the day.

The liver has two distinct and highly important functions. First, it is the

body's chief blood detoxifier. Secondly, the liver is the body's primary fat

metabolizer. Once the liver becomes sluggish and fatty it performs neither

job well and we begin to pack on the pounds in earnest and have great

difficulty losing the weight once it is on.

What are some causes of a fatty liver

A high fat diet (primarily animal fat) will most likely cause the liver to

malfunction over time. (non-organic) Animal fats tend to contain toxic

materials that were trapped by the animals body. When we ingest these fats

the toxins are released in the liver where they have the ability to cause

damage, inducing poor liver function.

Another cause of fatty liver is artificial sweetener use. Artificial

sweeteners have been touted by industry as a zero calorie marvel that will

help consumers reduce calories and lose weight. What is not revealed is that

artificial sweeteners generally lead to long term weight gain. How, do you

ask? Artificial sweeteners completely bypass the normal digestive stages and

are immediately taken into the liver. The liver basically shuts down all

other metabolic processes, including metabolizing fat, to contend with the

sweetener. The fats in the liver are either released - without being fully

metabolized - into the blood stream to be stored as unprocessed material or

they attach themselves to the liver. Either way,this is bad news for your

weight and health.

An additional prevalent culprit behind fatty liver is excessive alcohol use.

Before the alcohol causes cirrhosis it makes the liver fatty, which is the

beginning of the road to dysfunctional health and weight gain.

Finally, prescription and over-the-counter medications have adverse effects

on the liver. Notice that almost all of the pharmaceutical commercials

mention the liver and liver function. It is because they know how

detrimental their medications are to the liver and the health dysfunctions,

like weight gain, cirrhosis and liver failure that will occur when using

their products. Continue taking your prescriptions but seek a holistic

health professional who can assist with eliminating the underlying cause(s)

of your condition which would eliminate the need for the medication.

How to avoid or reverse a fatty liver

Here are a few helpful tips that can get you started or keep you on the road

to healthy liver function.

.. Avoid artificial sweetener use

.. Restrict or eliminate alcohol consumption

.. Nourish the liver with fresh citrus juices, milk thistle, and licorice. A

mixture of cayenne and lemon juice or cayenne and vegetable juice is a great

liver nutritive

.. Detoxify the colon to keep the digestive system flowing which increases

metabolism and aids the liver in its proper functioning

It is clear that poor liver function will most likely lead to a

malfunctioning and fatty liver, in turnmaking weight gain probable and

weight loss unlikely. If you are working diligently at exercising and eating

right but still struggle to lose weight have your liver function checked to

shed light on this little-known aspect of weight management.

Sources for this article include:

Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide, Trivieri & p.264

http://www.savvypatients.com/sweeteners.htm

http://www.majidali.com/fatty_liver.htm