Is Poor Bile Flow Causing High Cholesterol, Toxins Overload and Potential Gallbladder Issues?

Bile is a vital body fluid that plays an important role in the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine as well as flushing the liver of toxins. Bile is continuously produced in the liver by cholesterol oxidation and conjugated to glycine and taurine, and subsequently stored in the gallbladder. Bile also works as a signalling molecule both inside and outside of the liver.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the root cause of the majority of imbalances in the body is liver dysfunction. In TCM, the liver is known as the "master organ" as it is the causative factor in many of the body’s ailments. The liver helps with detoxification, enzyme production, bile production, hormone production, immune cell activation and the storage of vitamins and iron.

How Does the Liver Function?

A critical function of the liver is the excretion of bile. A healthy liver also plays an important role in nutrient distribution by effectively metabolising energy as well as storing vitamins and minerals for later use. In fact, everything that enters the body via the mouth is processed by the liver.

In modern society, livers are often overburdened and cannot perform their essential functions. This breakdown of function can lead to disease. Blockages in the gallbladder (such as gallstones and bile duct stones) can increase the amount of daily nutrition required, due to the lack of nutrients being absorbed. Additionally these stones can hinder bile’s ability to remove toxins. A non-optimally functioning liver produces less bile, which can result in digestive issues such as bloating, constipation and stomach pain.  

The Importance of Bile

Bile has many functions; one of these functions is to lubricate the small intestines and stool. Less lubrication can result in constipation and too much can lead to diarrhea. 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.

Bile salts break down fats, so adequate bile is required for processing fats and, as such, is essential for weight loss. Bile also transports toxins out of the liver into the faeces and keeps everything flowing. If bile is not continually being produced and flowing, cholesterol stones can result.

Fat soluble vitamins, like vitamins A, D, E and K can only be broken down in the body if there is adequate bile. Clients that have had their gallbladder removed must be aware that they have no bile storage system, and, therefore, must manage bile production.

Liver Function is Important for Hormonal Balance

The liver and thyroid have a synergistic relationship because T4 is converted to T3 by bile in the liver. T3 is the more potent thyroid hormone, metabolised from iodine. A thyroid problem may actually be the result of a bile or liver malfunction rather than anything to do with the thyroid. The liver also metabolises many other hormones such as insulin-like growth factor and plays a major role in the inactivation of excess hormones.

Signs of Liver Imbalance

Bile cannot be produced effectively by an unhealthy liver. There is a wide range of symptoms of liver imbalance that could be contributing to low bile output including:

  •       Gas, bloating, constipation

  •       Leaky gut

  •       Haemorrhoids

  •       PMS

  •       Irritability

  •       Sleeplessness

  •       Poor fat digestion

  •       Irregular stool

How to Support the Liver to Produce More Bile

1.    Remove Causative Factors

First, remove causative factors that may be harming the liver. For example, avoid anything that increases lactate, such as coffee, sugar, alcohol and processed foods. The liver is the primary organ for lactate clearance, therefore, it’s important to ease the burden as much as possible.

2.    Eat Foods that Support the Liver

Liver-supporting foods include bitter greens, dandelion, milk thistle, berries, and beetroot. Artichokes also promote healthy liver and bile production. To optimise the effectiveness of liver-supporting foods, it’s best to choose organic, which lowers the toxin burden on the liver. 

3.    Practice Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises

An interesting area of research in supporting the liver is diaphragmatic breathing exercises. The liver is positioned just below the diaphragm, and many people have shallow breathing. During deep diaphragmatic breathing, the diaphragm pushes down and massages the liver, stimulating bile production.

Diaphragmatic breathing is said to help activate the liver and its detoxification pathways. When stressed the breath is shallow, which keeps stress producing toxins inside the liver. The relaxation response (RR) via deep breathing has been studied in recent trials with positive results.

4.    Try Intermittent Fasting

Bile is continuously produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder when not eating.  Intermittent fasting can be a good way to increase the bile that is concentrated in the gallbladder.

5.    Reduce Stress

Emotional stress is detrimental to health and it creates a flow of fight or flight hormones, such as cortisol, nitric oxide and adrenaline. This puts a huge strain on the organs of the body, but especially the liver as it’s responsible for the removal of excess toxins and hormones. 

When it comes to the liver, it’s the bile that keeps the energy moving and releases waste products into the faeces. Nitric oxide and cortisol get trapped inside the liver if there is no way for it to flow out with adequate bile.

Lowering stress and increasing bile production improves the body’s ability to detoxify and balance hormones including oestrogen as well as removing cholesterol. Increasing bile production also optimises the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K in the small intestine.

Supplements to support bile flow and liver detoxification -

  • PCH Detox - My Detox supplement supports our bodies with the right balance of vitamins and minerals needed to optimise the detoxification process

  • PCH Magnesium Complex - My Magnesium Complex is a unique formula which contains 3 key forms of magnesium needed for optimal health. It also contains taurine, glutamine and zinc.

Supplements to support the stress response -

  • PCH Chill - My CHILL relaxation & stress formula is a unique product containing a patented organic saffron extract, L-theanine, vitamin B6 (in the bioactive P5P form)

  • PCH Just Ashwagandha - Ashwagandha has been used for over 3000 years to relieve stress and anxiety - and boost energy levels. My Just Ashwagandha supplement provides immune-boosting and thyroid-balancing properties and can be taken daily.

  • PCH Magnesium Complex - My Magnesium Complex includes magnesium bisglycinate which is excellent at promoting mental calm, relaxation and good quality sleep and it also contains glutamine and zinc which help reduce the symptoms of stress.

Health, Nutrition, Dieting, ProductsPippa Campbell