When asked to name the body's most important organ, most people name the brain or the heart, a few mention the lungs or skin, and some savvy respondents point out that any organ you cannot live without is pretty important, so it's impossible to chose just one. This is true.

Still, some organs get plenty of press; we hear about them all the time. Especially the heart and lungs. But according to Dr. Mehmet Oz, author of "You: The Owner's Manual," the most important organ in the human body in terms of workload garners little respect. It really is the Rodney Dangerfield of internal organs: the liver. And that's a shame considering the biological miracles that the liver performs each and every day.

The liver is the largest organ in the body. It is also the most complex.

The liver has several very important functions that provide use with good health and vitality.  These functions include:

• A major reservoir of blood. The liver filters over one quart of blood per minute, everything that we eat drink and breath into our bodies passes threw the liver.
• Metabolism.  The liver then metabolizes, nutrients found in food into carbohydrates, fats, and protein, also producing bile that is needed to break down fat soluble substances found in our food, including fat soluble vitamins.
• The liver must also break down toxins from alcohol, drugs and chemicals found in our food and our environment.

The problem is in our modern day world.  There are too many things that are detrimental to the liver, including: viral infection, drugs and alcohol abuse, and the on-going environmental exposure to chemicals and toxins.   All of these overwork the liver and decrease the ability of the liver to do it's job.  The good news is that the liver is one of the few organs that has the ability to regenerate and repair itself.  It just needs a little help.

Simple Liver-Loving Solutions:

• Go easy on the alcohol. If you're regularly consuming more than five alcoholic beverages a week, or more than three in a single sitting, you're at risk of overworking your liver. A lot of us are doing just this. More than half the alcohol consumed in America is consumed by only ten percent of the population. One in three Americans is a heavy drinker. Simply put, heavy drinking wrecks livers.
• Eat beets. One of the healthiest foods for the liver is beets, preferably organically grown. Beets and beet tops are the richest sources of betaine, which is a natural bile thinner. The root contains pigments called betalins which support the detoxifiation process. Beets also contain other health-promoting elements, like fiber, folate, iron, anti-oxidants, and pectin. Your liver loves beets!
• Take your Vitamin C. A University of Michigan Medical School study has shown that Vitamin C protects the liver. Even doses as low as 500 milligrams per day help prevent fatty build-up and cirrhosis.
• Avoid high fructose corn syrup. Many independent studies have linked HFCS to obesity, but recent research from Duke University Medical Center found that "increased consumption of high fructose corn syrup was associated with scarring the liver, or fibrosis, among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)." As many as 30 percent of adult Americans have NAFLD, possibly from a diet containing too much HFCS. According to Duke researcher Manal Abdelmalek, "High fructose corn syrup, which is predominately in soft drinks and processed foods, may not be as benign as we think. Our findings suggest we may need to go back to healthier diets which are more holistic."
• Exercise. There is no cure for fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but some studies suggest that exercise can put the brakes on the development of NAFLD. After seven days of walking on a treadmill for one hour daily, 84% of participants bumped up their adiponectin levels and had better insulin sensitivity. Lead author Jacob Haus of the Cleveland Clinic says, "the participants were also burning more fat, which may in turn reduce damage from fatty liver disease."
• Go Natural! Even though you cannot see them, you are constantly being exposed to chemicals. Of the 80,000 commercial chemicals in use, very few have been tested adequately for safety. These chemicals are in the air we breathe, the water we drink and bathe in, the food we consume, and they are a huge burden on our liver. Reduce them by eating organic fresh foods (without pesticides or food additives), using natural products around the home and the garden, using natural cosmetics and toiletries, avoiding plastics, and of course, avoiding tobacco.
• Consume more greens and other veggies. The fiber and abundant nutrients in vegetables are a sure way to improve the health of nearly every organ you can name, but especially the liver.

Some Herbal Assistance for Liver-Loving

Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is the most extensively studied herbal preparation for enhanced liver health. The herb is used extensively in Europe, and provides excellent support for the liver, especially combined with other natural therapies. Many clinical trials have demonstrated that Milk Thistle provides antioxidant protection against free radicals and other toxins that normally enter into the liver and cause damage to the liver cells.

More Information:

• Milk Thistle Organic Vegetarian Capsules
• Milk Thistle Organic Extract
• Milk Thistle Alcohol-Free
• Milk Thistle seed whole, Organic

Dandelion root 

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root is regarded as a liver tonic, a substance believed to support the liver in an unspecified way. Preliminary studies do suggest that Dandelion root stimulates the liver to increase bile flow. Once bile is released by the liver, its two main functions are to carry away waste and to break down fats during digestion.

More Information:

• Dandelion root Organic Vegetarian Capsules
• Dandelion root Organic Extract
• Dandelion root c/s, Organic

Bitters

Extensively used in Europe to promote healthy nutrient absorption and aid in the digestion of fats. Bitters are especially helpful after consuming fatty, heavy meals to speed the digestion process and eliminate feelings of bloating. The increased stimulation of bile supports the body's natural cleansing process, especially if digestion is sluggish.

More Information:

• Digestive Bitters, Organic

Can We Help?

In short, showing the liver a little bit of love is bound to have a positive effect on virtually every other organ. Outside the United States, people have a much higher regard for this vital organ - so much so that in some foreign countries, it is the liver that the groom promises to his bride, rather than his heart! Also keep in mind that nearly every instance of cancer begins in the liver, even when it shows up elsewhere. When the liver is toxic, your body is more toxic, and the kidneys carry a heavier load, and...  it's just not good. Detoxifying your liver is a good step to take toward preventing serious disease and maintaining optimal overall health.