25 Jul To Your Health: Liver Health & Biohacking – Liver Cleansers, Do They Work?
Welcome back to the series which offers a deep dive into the world of health, wellness, and disease prevention with Telluride local Dr. Alan Safdi.
Dr. Alan is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology, and a respected leader in healthcare. His blogs have featured and will continue to showcase the most current information in his fields: health, wellness and longevity. During Covid, Dr. Alan went radio silent – until recently. Now Dr. Alan is back in action with “To Your Health.”
In this installment of “To Your Heath, Dr. Alan introduces the first episode in his biohacking series in which he will explore the science behind optimizing human performance and health. First up is a deep into one of our body’s most hardworking organs – the liver – examining the truth behind the countless liver cleansers flooding the market.
Scroll down to read the salient details and listen to the podcast to find out more.
Go here for more health and wellness insights from Dr. Alan.
What Is Biohacking?
Biohacking is the practice of using science, technology, and lifestyle modifications to optimize your body’s biological functions. It’s about taking control of your health through evidence-based approaches, not quick fixes or miracle cures.
This series will separate legitimate biohacking strategies from potentially harmful fads.
Your Liver: The Ultimate Multitasker:
Your liver is nothing short of extraordinary. This three-pound powerhouse performs over 500 vital functions that keep you alive and thriving. It’s your body’s primary detoxification center, processing everything from the food you eat to the medications you take. The liver produces bile to help digest fats, stores glucose for energy, manufactures essential proteins including those crucial for blood clotting, and metabolizes hormones. It also plays a key role in immune function and helps regulate our body’s cholesterol levels.
Perhaps most remarkably, our liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself. Even if up to 75% of liver tissue is damaged, it can grow back – but only if the underlying cause of damage is addressed.
The Growing Crisis of Liver Disease:
We’re facing an unprecedented epidemic of liver disease, and it’s largely preventable. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more severe form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), now affect nearly 25% of the global population. These conditions are closely linked to obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome – diseases that have skyrocketed in recent decades.
Alcohol-related liver disease remains a significant concern, particularly as alcohol consumption patterns have shifted during recent years. Even moderate drinking can contribute to liver inflammation and fatty deposits over time.
Viral hepatitis, including hepatitis B and C, continues to affect millions worldwide, though we now have effective treatments for hepatitis C and vaccines for hepatitis B. However, many people remain undiagnosed and untreated.
We’re also seeing rising rates of autoimmune liver diseases, drug-induced liver injury from both prescription and over-the-counter medications, and liver damage from environmental toxins.
Why Liver Health Matters Now More Than Ever:
Your liver health directly impacts your energy levels, mental clarity, skin health, digestive function, and overall vitality. When your liver is overwhelmed or damaged, you might experience fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, and increased susceptibility to infections.
The modern world places unprecedented demands on our livers. We’re exposed to more processed foods, environmental toxins, medications, and stressors than ever before. This makes understanding how to truly support liver health – not through expensive cleanses, but through evidence-based strategies – more crucial than ever.
Podcast Overview:
This episode examines the booming liver cleanse industry, explores why there’s no definitive scientific evidence supporting these products, and discuss the potential risks they pose. Natural, research-backed approaches to supporting your liver’s incredible ability to heal and regenerate itself are also discussed.
Remember, your liver doesn’t need expensive supplements to detoxify – it needs the right environment and nutrients to do what it already does brilliantly.
Tune in and explore how to create that optimal environment through real biohacking, not marketing hype.
Dr. Alan, more:
Dr. Alan Safdi is board-certified in Internal Medicine and in Gastroenterology and a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology. A proven leader in the healthcare arena, he has been featured on the national program, “Medical Crossfire” and authored or co-authored numerous medical articles and abstracts.
Safdi, a long-time Telluride local, has been involved in grant-based and clinical research for four decades. He is passionate about disease prevention and wellness, not just fixing what has gone wrong.
Dr. Alan is an international lecturer on the subjects of wellness, nutrition and gastroenterology and now in partnership on an AI project with Stanford and the Mayo Clinic.
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