Liver Health & The Circadian Rhythm
Oxidative damage and inflammation, increased levels of toxins in the body, lack of energy and accumulated fat in the liver can disturb the liver’s natural rhythm. When this rhythm is disturbed the organ becomes less efficient and increasingly overwhelmed, unable to carry out its function. Improving hepatic (liver) circadian rhythm involves optimizing the timing and function of liver activities that align with the body's internal clock.
Taking a Something for Liver Health, designed to support liver health can help enhance this rhythm in several ways:
Antioxidant Support:
Oxidative damage is a natural occurrence as a result of processes of the cell, like respiration for making energy or immune reactions. It can also be exacerbated by environmental pollutants, smoking, diet or radiation. When these reactions take place, tiny electrons, called free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) may escape the reaction site and collide with other structures in the cell causing them to lose stability. Problems such as inflammation, cell death, accelerated aging or chronic diseases can begin to arise when oxidative stress increases in the body, especially due to damage to DNA, protein or lipids. Antioxidants act directly to neutralize these free radicals or ROS, maintaining cellular integrity and function.
Glutathione acts as a major antioxidant within liver cells protecting liver cells from oxidative damage. It also regenerates other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, enhancing the overall antioxidant defence system in the liver.
Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is specialised in converting the superoxide radical, a highly reactive molecule which causes oxidative damage.
CoQ10 is an enzyme which functions in the mitochondria, helping to produce ATP, the cell’s energy currency. As an antioxidant, it protects mitochondrial membranes from oxidative damage. Healthy mitochondria are essential for energy and growth and repair processes which help maintain the circadian rhythm of the liver.
Selenium: A key component of enzymes critical in the protection of cells from oxidative damage. This reduction in oxidative stress helps the liver maintain its regular functions and rhythm.
Silybin exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and reduces oxidative stress. It also enhances the activity of antioxidant enzymes.
Sulforaphane also reduces the inflammatory response.
Detoxification:
As we know, the liver is responsible for processing and eliminating toxins and waste products found in the bloodstream. Having an excellent detoxification function will help the liver keep it’s internal timings and free up energy for other functions such as hormone regulation.
Sulforaphane can activate the production of enzymes essential for the neutralisation of toxins.
Artichoke contains cynarin and other compounds that stimulate bile production. Bile is essential for the elimination of fats and any toxins that may be dissolved in these fats.
Glutathione conjugates with toxins to form water-soluble compounds that can be excreted through urine or bile.
Energy Production:
The liver as the body’s operations & logistics power house needs sufficient energy to carry out all its functions efficiently. Therefore it is important to get enough rest and enough fuel for a constant circadian rhythm.
CoQ10 is integral to the production of energy in the mitochondria. Adequate ATP levels are necessary for the liver to perform its numerous metabolic tasks.
Choline is involved in the production and maintenance of important cellular structures like the cell membrane and lipoproteins. It also supports mitochondrial function and energy production.
Fat Metabolism:
A liver which has accumulated fat is an increasingly sick liver. Abnormal and overwhelming levels of fat can hinder the function of the mitochondria, can increase the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in the cells, it can disturb the levels of glucose and fat distribution in the body. All these imbalances can disturb normal liver functions and their timing.
Choline prevents the accumulation of fat in the liver by promoting the export of triglycerides from the organ. This is crucial because hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) can impair liver function and its circadian regulation.
Silybin, found in milk thistle, enhances liver cell regeneration and repairs damaged hepatocytes, maintaining optimum liver function and rhythm.
By supporting these various aspects of liver health, Something for Liver health helps to optimize the liver's performance, aligning it with the body's circadian rhythms. This comprehensive support ensures that the liver can efficiently carry out its metabolic, detoxifying, and regulatory functions in sync with the body's natural cycles
