WARNING! What you should know about your Liver Heath

The Truth about your Liver Health

 

 

  ”All disease begins in the gut.”
             – Hippocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine   

 

Background

Gut microbiota plays an important role in health and disease. Changes to healthy intestinal balance may result in the development of liver disorders including fatty liver disease, hepatic encephalopathy, and liver cirrhosis. Restoration and modulation of intestinal flora with probiotics is an emerging therapeutic strategy. There is mounting evidence that probiotics are effective in the treatment to improve liver health. 

This invasion of bad bacteria plays a role in many diseases and can pierce the gut wall, and cause hepatic and systemic inflammation (“leaky gut syndrome”).  A gut imbalance can also disrupt the powerful interdependence between the liver and the intestines.  It’s an important connection, since the liver gets about 75 percent of its blood supply from the portal vein that carries oxygen and nutrients from the intestines back to the liver for processing.  

 

There is a strong relationship between liver and the gut—the so-called “Liver-Gut” axis. The gut supplies blood to the portal system and intestinal blood content activates liver functions. Going the other way, the liver secretes bile and influences intestinal function. The close interaction of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver and the fact that the nutrients absorbed by the gut first reach the liver have developed into the term “Liver-Gut” axis. Changes in microbiota have also been reported in hepatic encephalopathy, alcohol-related liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Gut microbiota may cause NAFLD, causing a leaky gut and metabolic endotoxemia, or by metabolizing choline, which is no longer available for the liver. The liver is a hub for removing toxins from the blood and plays an important role in the body's processes for converting food into energy. Since it is "downstream" of the gastrointestinal tract in the digestive process, it makes sense that the composition of bacteria in the gut could affect the functioning of the liver.

  

Liver damage can occur in three stages:

      Steatosis (fatty liver) is an early stage, reversible condition in which                     the liver thickens and gets fatter. Often people with steatosis have no                   symptoms (some may feel tired or bloated).

       Hepatitis is acute inflammation of the liver.  This condition can lead to cell            and organ damage and progress to cirrhosis. People with hepatitis often              need hospitalization; symptoms can include severe abdominal pain, fever,            swelling, gastrointestinal bleeding and jaundice.  Severe cases may lead to          liver failure or death.

        Cirrhosis is the most advanced stage of liver damage.  Thick fibrous                     tissue permanently scars the liver, replacing healthy soft tissue and                       restricting blood flow from the liver to the heart.  Fluid buildup in the                       can make the cirrhotic patient appear pregnant, and difficulty in breathing             can occur.

Many overweight patients have both alcoholic and non-alcoholic obesity-related Liver Disease (LD), however LD is prevalent in 20% of non-obese patients.  Up to 80% of obese people have the disease and up to 20% normal-weight people might develop it.

Patients with more advanced LD are regularly malnourished, which can be global protein-calorie malnutrition, or deficiencies in selected micronutrients such as zinc.  If these patients are consuming inadequate amounts of protein or food calories, nutritional supplements such as daily probiotic are recommended to restore healthy gut bacteria.  Adequate sleep is also necessary for healthy liver function (and a problem for many patients with chronic liver disease, who report difficulty sleeping).

Lifestyle changes are also essential.  Take steps to manage chronic stress, exercise daily and ask your doctor about following a low-salt diet (< 2,000 mg. sodium per day) to avoid life-threatening fluid buildup.  Good nutrition is especially critical for people with LD.  Experts recommend a diverse diet of nutrient-dense foods (think “clean eating” – whole foods in their natural, non-processed state, which reduce the toxic load on the liver).

 

Probiotics

Probiotics stimulate the growth of protective bacteria in the intestines.  A healthy gut, in turn, has a huge impact on overall well-being – boosting your ability to fight infection, regulate metabolism and reduce toxins and inflammation associated with liver disease.

​ Probiotics- Mechanisms of Benefit: 

​           1) suppression of growth, epithelial binding, or invasion by pathogenic                       bacteria.

           2) Improvement of intestinal barrier function.

           3) Modulation of the immune system; these include the inducement of                       protective cytokines such  as IL-10 and TGF-beta and suppression of                   proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF suppression of T-Helper 1                         cells migration has also been described.

           4) Modulation of intestinal pain perception by inducing expression of                         micro-opioid and cannabinoid receptors.

The gut-liver axis provides for an interaction between bacterial components like lipopolysaccharide and hepatic receptors (Toll-like receptors). Dysbiosis and altered intestinal permeability may modulate this interaction and therefore result in hepatic disorders or worsening of hepatic disorders. Administration of health-promoting microbial strains may help ameliorate these harmful interactions and hepatic disorders. There is, however, evidence that various probiotic preparations have a role in various stages of hepatic encephalopathy.  Preoperative and postoperative use of probiotics in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent tumor resection was associated with a lower inflammatory markers and quicker recovery of hepatic function. Data from clinical studies have also indicated that modulating gut microbiota with prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiotic preparations has a beneficial effect on NAFLD.

A larger study compared probiotics and FructoOligoSaccharides (FOS) to life style changes in NAFLD with the probiotics arm significantly reducing TNF-α, CRP, serum AST levels, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, serum endotoxin, steatosis, and the NASH activity index. Long term use of probiotics may significantly reduce liver fat and serum aspartate aminotransferases. Taking into account these newer studies, a recent meta-analysis concluded that probiotic therapies can reduce liver aminotransferases, total cholesterol, and TNF-α and improve insulin resistance in NAFLD patients.

Healthy Gut, Healthy Liver  “The Battle between Good & Bad Bacteria”

 

Probiotics and Liver Fat


Changes in microbiota have also been reported in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).  NAFLD is an acronym for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. It is defined as a chronic condition with more than 5 to 10% of extra fat in the liver. Some amount of fat is normal, but the amounts in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can lead more serious diagnoses of NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, meaning liver inflammation) and cirrhosis (scarring in the liver which can lead to liver failure).

It used to be thought that only alcoholics got fatty livers. Now we know better. As a matter of fact, you may have it and not even know it. Based on the Dallas Heart Study report, 31% of US adults are affected by it.  The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has been increasing, to becoming a worldwide public health problem. Risk factors for fatty liver are Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic genetics and family history of alcohol consumption. 

A few non-invasive methods to identify advanced fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease include the NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS). The NFS is based on six variables (age, BMI, hyperglycemia, platelet count, albumin, AST/ALT ratio) that are obtained during a physical exam and blood test. You can go to a clinic for the test, or a home diagnostic liver check can be one of the tests used in diagnosing NAFLD.

Prescription medications are prescribed to patients with fatty liver disease, however may lead to unwanted side effects.  There are many diet and lifestyle interventions which can be helpful, including intervention with probiotics. In several randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies, probiotic consumption revealed significant reductions in TNF-alpha, C-reactive protein, AST, insulin resistance and beta-cell function HOMA scores, liver fat accumulation, and the NAFLD Fibrosis Score.

The human gastrointestinal tract contains bacterial species that, among other functions, maintain a microbial barrier against potential pathogens and help regulate the immune response in the human body. The composition of gut microbiota and its variations hold an important role in the development of liver diseases. Under pathological conditions, bacterial components are released into the liver–gut axis and cause proinflammatory and autoimmune responses in the liver; these responses can initiate direct damage to liver cells. Probiotics have been shown to have favorable effects when used to treat several liver diseases by reducing the production of bacterial toxins and by modulating autoimmune responses, intestinal permeability, and the inflammatory response.

Disruption of the gut barrier is an opportunity for the previously excluded antigens and lipopolysaccharides to enter the enterocytes and systemic circulation.8 This situation has been described as a leaky gut and the resulting phenomenon as metabolic endotoxemia.  There seem to be two mechanisms underlying endotoxemia and initiation of inflammation: bacterial overgrowth and alteration of intestinal permeability (leaky gut).

Research studies show that alcohol-dependent patients treated with probiotics had significantly lower AST and ALT enzyme levels – two of the key markers for detecting liver injury. An analysis of nine randomized controlled studies found a reduction in plasma ammonia concentrations among ALD patients treated with probiotics (World Journal of Gastroenterology, Feb. 2015).  The results are notable, since higher ammonia blood levels are often detected in patients with acute liver failure.

 


Take the steps to control Liver Disease

  • Lose weight. If you're overweight or obese, reduce the number of calories you eat each day and increase your physical activity in order to lose weight. Calorie reduction is the key to losing weight and managing this disease. If you have tried to lose weight in the past and have been unsuccessful, ask your doctor for help.

  • Choose a healthy diet. Eat a healthy diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and keep track of all calories you take in.

  • Exercise and be more active. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. If you're trying to lose weight, you might find that more exercise is helpful. But if you don't already exercise regularly, get your doctor's OK first and start slowly.

  • Control your diabetes. Follow your doctor's instructions to stay in control of your diabetes. Take your medications as directed and closely monitor your blood sugar.

  • Lower your cholesterol. A healthy plant-based diet, exercise and supplements can help keep your cholesterol and your triglycerides at healthy levels.

  • Protect your liver.  For instance, don't drink alcohol, limit medications and over-the-counter drugs. Avoid things that will put extra stress on your liver.

  • Take daily Probiotics.  Research has shown the beneficial effect of probiotics on liver function in cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and alcoholic liver disease.

 

Relationship: The Role of Probiotics, Enzymes & Liver Health

The beneficial effect of probiotics also extends to liver function in cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and alcoholic liver disease.  Probiotics may beneficially influence several of the functions of the intestinal microbiota and modulate several pathogenic alterations in the induction and progression of chronic liver disease

The Synbiotics (Probiotic & Prebiotics) contained in the Probiotic Pack™ helps to balance the immune system, promote nutrient absorption and healthy microbiome. Serrapeptase, a main Ingredient in The Probiotic Pack™, helps immensely as it clears out all of the inflammation and dead tissue. By alleviating the inflammation and clearing away this problem tissue it relieves the symptoms and allows the healing system to rapidly repair the problem.

​The Probiotic Pack™ contains quality systemic enzymes that work synergistically with the Synbiotics. Because of their variety of origins and substrates, wide ranges of optimal temperatures and pH levels, increased percentage of absorption, and increased level of effectiveness, enzyme blends have a wider range of advantages than do individual enzymes. Additionally, when enzymes are taken in combination with probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and herbs, the combination improves absorption and bioavailability of the ingredients.

​It is recommended to take high-quality multi-strain probiotic formula, with at least 11 strains to balance gut bacteria and promote a healthy digestive system. The best probiotics can withstand stomach acids and enable the bacteria reach the gut alive to perform their health-enhancing benefits.  In terms of reducing inflammation, relieving symptoms and reducing or slowing the progressiveness of a disease, the Probiotic Pack™ is a great natural alternative for improving Liver Health.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Probiotic Enzymes

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References

Cesaro, Claudia et al. “Gut microbiota and probiotics in chronic liver diseases” Digestive and Liver Disease , Volume 43 , Issue 6 , 431 – 438, 2011

Compare D, Coccoli P, Rocco A, et al. Gut-liver axis: the impact of gut microbiotaon non alcoholic fatty liver disease. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2012Jun;22(6):471-6.

 Lau, E., et al. “Gut Microbiota: Association with NAFLD and Metabolic Disturbances.” BioMed Research International, vol. 2015, 2015, pp. 1–9., doi:10.1155/2015/979515.

Leung, Christopher, et al. “The Role of the Gut Microbiota in NAFLD.” Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, vol. 13, no. 7, Aug. 2016, pp. 412–425., doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2016.85.

Nitin, Jagtap, et al. “Liver Diseases: The Role of Gut Microbiota and Probiotics.” Journal of Probiotics & Health, vol. 04, no. 03, 2016

Norberto C. Chávez-Tapia,Leticia, et al. “Current evidence on the use of probiotics in liver diseases.” Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 17, August 2015, Pages 137-151, Elsevier, August 2015

Robert S. Lo, Andrew S. Austin, and Jan G. Freeman, “Is There a Role for Probiotics in Liver Disease?,” The Scientific World Journal, vol. 2014, Article ID 874768, 7 pages, 2014.

Sharma, Vishal. “Probiotics and Liver Disease.” The Permanente Journal, vol. 17, no. 4, Feb. 2013, pp. 62–67., doi:10.7812/tpp/12-144.

​Younossi, Zobair; Anstee, Quentin M.; Marietti, Milena; Hardy, Timothy; Henry, Linda; Eslam, Mohammed; George, Jacob; Bugianesi, Elisabetta (20 September 2017). "Global burden of NAFLD and NASH: trends, predictions, risk factors and prevention". Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 15 (1): 11–20. 

 *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Testimonials are Individual Results. Your results may vary. Copyright © 2018 FitCube Nutrition. All rights reserved Terms & Conditions.