Liver health tied to brain function

[LNN]

Always amazes me when I come across a mainstream article that seems so amazed by the things we here already know - that the health of the rest of the body directly effects the mind. That there's no such things as "mental health" or "mental illness" - the brain is an organ just like the rest of the body and is influenced by the health of the rest of the body. For some reason, the presence of the blood/brain barrier has caused science to squander 50 years thinking there's no connection, that the brain is an island.

 

Anyway, thought some of you might find this an interesting read...a shame they don't mention that detoxing the liver, with say a milk thistle pill that costs $0.50 a day, might be an alternative to the liver transplants they allude to.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/06/16/liver.disease.ep/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1

[MomWithOCDSon]

Thanks, LLM. Based on your recommendation, DS and I have been taking milk thistle for the last couple of weeks. I do think I'm feeling better, and it may be pure coincidence . . . or a combination of this therapy along with everything else we've been after . . . but DS is actually doing better now than he's done in the last two years.

 

Curious, though, if you've read papers or been given guidance from a professional regarding an appropriate dosage? DS and I are just taking one, 175 mg. capsule daily. It's noted as containing 80% silymarin, which I understand to be the active ingredient. Just wondering if we should be taking more (or possibly less, though what I've found thus far suggests no discernable threat of toxicity)?

[LNN]

Thought this article might strike a chord, Nancy.

No - don't have articles on dosage. DS and I take something like 280 mg. Just bought a Vitamin Shoppe brand that has 380? but it doesn't seem to work as well. Has a strange odor when you take the cap off the bottle, darker color than the two other brands we've used. So despite the cost savings, don't think I'll be ordering this brand again. Also used one from Solaray which was fine but so far, the one I think I like best is NOW brand. Could be because that's the one we used first and it made the biggest impact because we needed it more back then. IDK.

 

But we each only take one pill/day and it seems to help. Like you, could be placebo, but when I've skipped days, I tend to feel a little bogged down. So placebo or not, it's become part of our daily regimen. Have an LLMD appt this week and will be reviewing doses of everything. Will let you know if he weighs in on the matter.

[sptcmom]

The liver is the only major organ that can regenerate. It has over 500 documented funstions including both the phases of detox and is the predominant organ in the gut. The gut is also known as the second brain in DAN and holistic circles.Most neurotransmitters and/or their precursors are manufactured in the gut and yes, gut health, esp liver will affect brain function and how messages are transmitted thru out the body, hormonal regulation etc.

Lovely article, good info.

 

LLM, long time no hear, hope all is well.

 

Jodie

[mkur]

QUOTE "Liver enzyme tests are sometimes normal, and even ultrasounds and CT scans don't always pick up on the disease."

 

This is a similar problem for PANDAS - lab tests are normal - CT scans and MRI are normal. But there still is a problem!!

 

Thanks for posting.

[LNN]

Jodie,

Thanks for the check-in. We did testing for HLA, MSH and minerals (to check if magnesium levels were contributing to tics, and I suppose to see if zinc levels warranted or ruled out HPU investigation). Will hopefully get results this week at LLMD appt. So we've been in a holding pattern. Stopped tindamax and A-Bart 6 weeks ago and have seen steady improvement but had to resort to daily Aleve for 3 weeks to get thru the day (still boggles my mind after all these times of seeing it help).

 

Am thinking major herx then triggered a biotoxin tsunami and cytokine storm/Pandas flair. Things are mostly calmed down, but now have to figure out how to attack the lyme without triggering Pandas.

 

So, much on my mind and not too much to say in the way of offering advice these days. Mostly lurking. Hope to be able to post an update on the lyme forum next week.

 

Thanks for asking,

Laura

[bws]

Hi

 

I was gonna write about this, just did not yet formulate my thoughts!!

 

I have known for a long time that alternative doctors believe that mental illness is linked to a weakened liver. You can read about this here http://www.pbiv.com/liver.html This guy has taken off many people from mental health meds with supplements. I personally took his liver balance and liked it alot. Unfortunately for those taking milk thistle, He claims milk thistle is not good for liver function, so check it out.

 

My two cents? Because the liver is so overwhelmed, it cannot effectively fight the strep in our kids bodies, which again, causes liver overload, causing these symptoms.

 

PS I treated a child with this supplement before I ever heard of Pandas with good results. He had had tics. Now, after reading about pandas a getting a dx for my other daughter there is no doubt that this child has or had Pandas as well.

[JAG10]

Laura- We've stopped everything, all meds, supplements, vitamins....since June 2 trying to bring down dd11's liver enzymes and it is working as they dropped dramatically in two weeks time. So glad doc periodically runs liver check, or we would have had no idea. It does appear as if her nausea and headaches could have been related to liver distress since this have since stopped, but who knows for sure. Interesting articles. Jill

Edited June 21, 2011 by JAG10