If you have a fatty liver, you are more likely to suffer with viral and bacterial infections. It is also more difficult for your immune system to overcome infections, causing a more severe illness. Keeping your immune system strong means paying attention to liver health. Not enough people are aware of this critical link.

Your liver carries out more functions in your body than any other organ. Your liver cells are called hepatocytes. They are responsible for the production of 80 to 90 percent of the circulating immune proteins in your body. A type of immune cell called Kupffer cells live inside the liver. They are a macrophage, meaning a white blood cell that engulfs and destroys foreign matter, toxins and worn out old cells. Another type of immune cell called Natural Killer cells also reside in the liver.

Natural killer cells are vital for helping your body fight infections, and these cells also destroy any cancer cells that may be present in the body.

Having a healthy liver means you’ll have more powerful immune cells that survey your body and remove harmful invaders.

The adaptive immune system in your liver helps your body deal with a harmful substance like a viral infection such as a cold or flu, which causes the body to make antibodies. The liver filter (comprised of the reticulo-endothelial system) contains many immunologically active cells, acting as a 'sieve' for antigens carried to it from the intestinal blood. The liver filter is altered by many factors such as oxidative stress, smoking, alcohol, aging, dysbiosis, diabetes and pesticides. An excessively permeable liver sieve plays a part in immune tolerance and cancer. Anyone with an immune system disease must improve their liver function to reduce the overload on the immune system.

Selenium is a great detoxifier

This is because it is required for the production and action of glutathione peroxidase in the liver. Glutathione peroxidase is an antioxidant enzyme necessary for detoxification and protection of the liver against free radical damage.  This is why I have included selenium in the Livatone Plus formula. Some studies have shown that selenium levels appear to be severely depleted in patients suffering with liver disease, especially cirrhosis and different types of hepatitis.

Milk thistle (also known as St Mary’s thistle) helps reduce and normalize liver enzymes in patients with liver damage. The active component is called silymarin and is found in the clinically proven dose in Livatone Plus. It has antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, liver regenerating and immunomodulating effects. Silymarin behaves like a gatekeeper, protecting the liver from toxins and free radicals. Another important function of milk thistle is to increase your body’s production of glutathione, the master antioxidant and the one most present in the liver.

Zinc has powerful anti viral effects in the body

It is necessary for healthy function of the thymus gland, where immune cells are made, as well as natural killer cells. Zinc stimulates interferon production, which enables your body to fight infections. Zinc deficiency is common in people with a fatty liver and poor gut heath because those conditions impair zinc absorption. Meat and seafood are a rich source of zinc. A supplement may be necessary to reach optimal levels.

Poor liver health weakens the immune system

Individuals with a fatty liver are more likely to experience a severe version of influenza that can progress to pneumonia or land them in hospital. Having elevated blood sugar (diabetes or pre-diabetes) also contributes. The immune system struggles to produce antibodies against infections. Fatty liver causes worse fatigue following infections and the fatigue can linger for many months.

Many people who have a fatty liver do not know they have this problem, as there may be no symptoms, but an ultrasound scan of the liver will pick it up. If you feel unwell and/or are overweight and cannot lose weight, I recommend you have a scan of your liver. You do not have to drink any alcohol to have a fatty liver, and it is usually caused by excess consumption of foods high in carbohydrates.

For more information, see my book titled Fatty Liver You Can Reverse It.

Reference

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.