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What are lipotropics?
Lipotropics are any number of substances that help to prevent the
accumulation of abnormal or excessive fats in the liver, control blood sugar
levels and enhance fat and carbohydrate metabolism.
Commonly used lipotropics include:
Choline is a member of the B
complex. Best known as a fat emulsifier (lipotropic), it works well with
inositol and is one of the few substances that can cross the blood-brain
barrier to produce brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that aid in memory –
in particular acetylcholine. Choline helps to regulate fat metabolism (both
the good and bad) & cholesterol metabolism in the liver and gallbladder,
breaking them down into smaller particles which makes it easier for your
body reduce their accumulation. Since healthy fats play a large role in
hormone formation, choline can thus help optimize hormone levels in both men
and women. It is commonly recommended by natural health care practitioners
for a variety of different therapeutic applications, including: fatty
liver, cardiovascular health, depression, poor concentration, and
neurological diseases such as MS, Tardive Dyskinesia, and Parkinson’s
disease.
Inositol is a member of the B complex. It is known as a fat
emulsifier (lipotropic) and it works well with choline. Inositol helps to
regulate both fat metabolism (both the good and bad) & cholesterol
metabolism in the liver and gallbladder, breaking them down into smaller
particles, which makes it easier for your body reduce their accumulation.
It also reduces fatty build-up in organs like the liver.
Methionine plays an important
role in the metabolism of protein and production of enzymes. Methionine is
a precursor for the production of several substances. Methionine decreases
histamine levels in the body. High histamine has been implicated in mental
disorders like schizophrenia and common concerns like seasonal allergies.
Finally, creatine is composed of methionine and other amino acids. It is
responsible for muscle growth and energy production. Natural health
practitioners for liver detoxification, heart disease, metal toxicity,
schizophrenia and allergies recommend methionine.
Liver Health
The liver is the largest gland in the body and one of the
most important organs. It has many functions. It produces bile, the
digestive juice that breaks down fats and helps to absorb fat-soluble
vitamins. Bile also stimulates intestinal contractions, to promotes
regularity, and converts beta-carotene into vitamin A. The liver acts as
filter for all of the blood in the body.
Blood from the intestines, carrying nutrients, goes to the liver where some
vitamins and minerals are stored. The liver also metabolizes fat into
cholesterol, phospholipids (for cell membranes) and lipoproteins (for
carrying other molecules). The liver plays a role in blood sugar regulation
by making glucose tolerance factor. Sugar can be stored in the liver for
later use and extra food is converted to fat by the liver and then
transported to the fatty tissue.
Liver supportive foods include artichokes, black radish,
beets, carrots, spinach, sauerkraut, tomatoes and watercress. Make sure
that you are getting enough water-soluble fibre in your diet, as found in
apples, oats and supplemental inulin. They help to eliminate bile and toxins
from the intestines. Avoid sugar, alcohol, red meat, trans-fatty acids and
processed foods. They are difficult for the liver to process. Avoid high
doses of niacin and vitamin A because they can raise liver enzymes.
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