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Celiac And Liver Health

Green12

By Green12
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

Green12 Enthusiast
Green12
Posted

Just curious as to if there is a known connection between the health of the liver and celiac, or other auto-immune conditions.

Does anyone know of any natural liver regenerators?? I know about milk thistle, but I am very sensitive to supplements at this time. Are there any foods that can naturally cleanse and build the liver?

Any information is appreciated :)

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trents Grand Master
trents
Posted

It is well-known that many Celiacs have elevated liver enzymes (think, "hepatitis"); infact, about 20% according to one expert I read. This was the smyptom that led to the Celiac diagnosis in my case. It is not known with certainty what the connection is but most feel it is the incompletely digested food compounds that leak across the damaged mucosa of the gut and then get into the blood stream that are the culprit. As far as the liver is concerned, they are toxic and create stress. Others feel it may be due to vitamine/mineral malabsorption.

In most cases, the liver heals quite well once the person gets on a gluten-free dient. In some cases, however, the liver remains damaged. In my case, I had elevated liver enzymes for 12 or 13 years before I got the Celiac diagnosis. Now that I am gluten free, my liver enzymes are normal but albumin/total protein serum levels remain depressed, even after 2 1/2 years. This suggests to me there was some permanent damage as the liver is the factory for albumin and other serum proteins.

I know I will get jumped on for saying this by other forum members, but scientific studies have not shown those liver detox agents to be effective.

Steve

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
I know I will get jumped on for saying this by other forum members, but scientific studies have not shown those liver detox agents to be effective.

I havent seen the results of any studies re: this but I would have to agree w/ you Steve that they probably arent effective.

I had elevated enzymes also...probably still do. Its only been a couple months since my test showed they were elevated. I've never been dx'd Celiac and I dont think I have it because I'm lacking the main genes. I could fall into the small percentage without a main gene but I highly doubt it. I believe that any food or chemical that the body is reacting to can cause a toxic overload. It puts stress on the liver....especially when there are many intolerances involved.

Oh yeah Julie, Have you ever been to CureZone forums? They talk alot about cleanses and stuff like that over there. They give instructions for liver cleanses and some people swear by them but I myself have never tried it.

lorka150 Collaborator
lorka150
Posted

When I was at my sickest, my liver levels were 800+. (they should be below 40).

Now they are around 150 (I am getting a biopsy in a few weeks to check that out because they aren't going down).

chrissy Collaborator
chrissy
Posted

my sister has an autoimmune liver disease and will eventually need a transplant. i think that her gi has said not to do liver cleanses.

phakephur Apprentice
phakephur
Posted

Hi juliem,

I've done those liver cleanses many times with good results.

I started doing them because I developed multiple chemical sensitivity and ultimately had to quit my office job. MCS kept me from doing basic things - like go to a store or be with friends (modern first world humans are awash in chemicals). Also I was very sick with flu like symptoms, localized infections, hair loss, insurmountable fatigue. The liver cleanse improved my liver function and gave me my life back. I can still smell someone's fabric softener from 10 feet away, but it doesn't put me in bed for 2 days.

If you don't have a specific medical reason not to do it, it might be very beneficial to you.

Sarah

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted
Just curious as to if there is a known connection between the health of the liver and celiac, or other auto-immune conditions.

Does anyone know of any natural liver regenerators?? I know about milk thistle, but I am very sensitive to supplements at this time. Are there any foods that can naturally cleanse and build the liver?

Any information is appreciated :)

Julie-

Do you have a liver issue/disease? As was said here, most Celiacs have elevated liver enzymes. For the majority of Celiacs, those numbers return to normal after some time on the gluten-free diet. I would approach liver "cleanses" very carefully. Some of those end up causing more damage/stress to the body. As the study below says, most enzymes return to normal and most are not linked to serious liver disease. What exactly is your concern is for your liver or your symptoms, length of symptoms etc...

Read this: https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1323 and this study: Open Original Shared Link

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Green12 Enthusiast
Green12
Posted
  • Author
Julie-

Do you have a liver issue/disease? As was said here, most Celiacs have elevated liver enzymes. For the majority of Celiacs, those numbers return to normal after some time on the gluten-free diet. I would approach liver "cleanses" very carefully. Some of those end up causing more damage/stress to the body. As the study below says, most enzymes return to normal and most are not linked to serious liver disease. What exactly is your concern is for your liver or your symptoms, length of symptoms etc...

Read this: https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1323 and this study: Open Original Shared Link

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I don't have any specific liver disease, that I know of anyway. I did have elevated liver enzymes at the beginning of my auto-immune illness (circa 1991). But I haven't been to a medical doctor since then to have any follow up tests done.

I'm just doing some detective work on my own. Doctors haven't helped me with a rare and mystery condition that I have, that I think possibly involves the liver, and I'm trying to figure it all out and get myself better.

I have done liver flushes in the past, but I do worry about doing them without some kind of professional supervision. I know there are supplements that cleanse and build the liver but I am not handling supplementation at this time.

I was looking for a more gentler natural way, possibly through foods, to cleanse the liver. I found a beet liver cleanse that involves adding a little shredded beets and lemon juice to your diet.

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

I posted on foods that are naturally "detoxing" but can't find it now. I do remember using this article though: Open Original Shared Link I think psyllium is also an excellent cleanser that is safe--really cleans out old stools etc. from bowels.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
Thanks everyone for your replies.

I don't have any specific liver disease, that I know of anyway. I did have elevated liver enzymes at the beginning of my auto-immune illness (circa 1991). But I haven't been to a medical doctor since then to have any follow up tests done.

I'm just doing some detective work on my own. Doctors haven't helped me with a rare and mystery condition that I have, that I think possibly involves the liver, and I'm trying to figure it all out and get myself better.

I have done liver flushes in the past, but I do worry about doing them without some kind of professional supervision. I know there are supplements that cleanse and build the liver but I am not handling supplementation at this time.

I was looking for a more gentler natural way, possibly through foods, to cleanse the liver. I found a beet liver cleanse that involves adding a little shredded beets and lemon juice to your diet.

I would go with the beet juice if you really feel you need to do this. However do it very cautiously. Start out with only about 2 oz of beet juice at the most and mix it with another juice. If the drink makes you nauseous you used too much beet juice. The liver cleansers take the toxins out of the liver and throw them into the bloodstream, this can have nasty effects.

mommida Enthusiast
mommida
Posted

My daughter's ped gastro said there was a link to an auto-immune liver disease. Sorry no other further information on that, but start some research on that. I tried looking into that and the only thing I could find was the auto-immune cirrosis(spelled that completely wrong).

lindalee Enthusiast
lindalee
Posted
Just curious as to if there is a known connection between the health of the liver and celiac, or other auto-immune conditions.

Does anyone know of any natural liver regenerators?? I know about milk thistle, but I am very sensitive to supplements at this time. Are there any foods that can naturally cleanse and build the liver?

Any information is appreciated :)

I watch "your health" dr. becker and this is what he says. Being overweight puts a lot of stress on the liver and loosing weight if overweight will heal the fatty liver. He reccommends probiotics, oil of oregano, noni juice, proteins, antioxidants, b12, calcium , ginko and milk thistle. I'll see if I can find out more. LindaLee

Green12 Enthusiast
Green12
Posted
  • Author
My daughter's ped gastro said there was a link to an auto-immune liver disease. Sorry no other further information on that, but start some research on that. I tried looking into that and the only thing I could find was the auto-immune cirrosis(spelled that completely wrong).

This is all very fascinating, thanks for the link Jenvan.

I would like to research it more mommida too. It's interesting you mention auto-immune cirrhosis. I have been looking into cirrhosis more recently, and then the article jenvan linked me to talks about it as well, celiac and cirrhosis.

ravenwoodglass,

thanks for the advice, good to know :)

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
This is all very fascinating, thanks for the link Jenvan.

I would like to research it more mommida too. It's interesting you mention auto-immune cirrhosis. I have been looking into cirrhosis more recently, and then the article jenvan linked me to talks about it as well, celiac and cirrhosis.

ravenwoodglass,

thanks for the advice, good to know :)

My twin died as a result of autoimmune cirrosis. The doctor said that his liver had been deterioriating since birth. He started drinking at a young age and by 15 his liver was gone. I am not saying this to scare you and only recently found out about a possible connection between celiac and liver disease myself but have not researched it a lot. Please be sure not to drink at all or use any OTC products that are metabelized (sp) by the liver like Tylenol if you have any doubt about the statis of your liver health.

lindalee Enthusiast
lindalee
Posted
My twin died as a result of autoimmune cirrosis. The doctor said that his liver had been deterioriating since birth. He started drinking at a young age and by 15 his liver was gone. I am not saying this to scare you and only recently found out about a possible connection between celiac and liver disease myself but have not researched it a lot. Please be sure not to drink at all or use any OTC products that are metabelized (sp) by the liver like Tylenol if you have any doubt about the statis of your liver health.

So sorry about your brother. You are right. This liver business is something we have to be concerned about. I wish I knew what dr. to go to. I'm just trying to heal and get my energy back. Glad you said that about the drinking. I had a small glass of wine tonight gluten-free but I guess I'll stop that too. The list is sure getting longer. LindaLee

Green12 Enthusiast
Green12
Posted
  • Author
My twin died as a result of autoimmune cirrosis. The doctor said that his liver had been deterioriating since birth. He started drinking at a young age and by 15 his liver was gone. I am not saying this to scare you and only recently found out about a possible connection between celiac and liver disease myself but have not researched it a lot. Please be sure not to drink at all or use any OTC products that are metabelized (sp) by the liver like Tylenol if you have any doubt about the statis of your liver health.

ravenwoodglass,

I'm very sorry for your loss. Thanks for the warning, it is very serious. It just drives home how serious auto-immune conditions are, can be, and the damage they do in our bodies.

I don't drink, so that isn't a problem for me. My concern is I took a lot of ibuprofen for the last 10-12 years every single month for debilitating menstrual cramping. I have researched the toll ibuprofen takes on the body and it isn't good news, being very hard on the liver included.

plantime Contributor
plantime
Posted

I have a sluggish liver. My enzymes are low, which is good, but my liver just doesn't work like it should. I have used milk thistle, but it caused painful bowel cramps. I have used dandelion tea, which is bitter, but ok. Now I take cat's claw and hawthorn berry capsules, one of each with each meal. My sides have quit hurting, I have more energy, and I just overall feel so much better! I know if I forget to take them, as I start feeling rundown and achy all over again. These are natural herbs, I don't get the ones with anything else in them, they work together to nourish and support the liver, they do not cleanse it. Dandelion and milk thistle cleanse it.

Green12 Enthusiast
Green12
Posted
  • Author
I have a sluggish liver. My enzymes are low, which is good, but my liver just doesn't work like it should. I have used milk thistle, but it caused painful bowel cramps. I have used dandelion tea, which is bitter, but ok. Now I take cat's claw and hawthorn berry capsules, one of each with each meal. My sides have quit hurting, I have more energy, and I just overall feel so much better! I know if I forget to take them, as I start feeling rundown and achy all over again. These are natural herbs, I don't get the ones with anything else in them, they work together to nourish and support the liver, they do not cleanse it. Dandelion and milk thistle cleanse it.

Thanks for sharing this plantime, I might be interested in this time at just supporting the liver and strengthening it rather that cleansing it. These herbs you mentioned sound like they do just that.

plantime Contributor
plantime
Posted

That's why I use the cat's claw and hawthorn berry. They provide nutrients the liver needs, but do not cleanse it or anything like that. Since celiac causes malabsorption, I figured I just needed more of the good stuff!

lindalee Enthusiast
lindalee
Posted
Just curious as to if there is a known connection between the health of the liver and celiac, or other auto-immune conditions.

Does anyone know of any natural liver regenerators?? I know about milk thistle, but I am very sensitive to supplements at this time. Are there any foods that can naturally cleanse and build the liver?

Any information is appreciated :)

another thought- Microwaving - I heard that it destroys the enzymes in food. I am not microwaving now. LindaLee

Green12 Enthusiast
Green12
Posted
  • Author
another thought- Microwaving - I heard that it destroys the enzymes in food. I am not microwaving now. LindaLee

I haven't used a microwave for 12 years, that was the first thing my naturopath told me to do away with. It was hard to adjust to at first because we have become such a fast lane convenience society, and it's habit. But now, I don't even give it a second thought.

Microwave who? Microwave what?

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