The liver is second largest organ in the human body (i.e. If you consider the skin as the largest organ!). Apart from being the filter and cleanser for the blood stream, it also functions as a detoxifier. It breaks down substances like metabolic waste, drugs, ammonia, chemicals and alcohol so that they can be excreted. Rows of liver cells have spaces separating them, which act as a filter through which the blood stream flows. Alcohol is metabolised in the liver, initially into a highly reactive substance called acetaldehyde. After this, it is quickly converted to acetate through the help of particular enzymes. The quantity of acetate produced is responsible for preventing fat from being oxidized for energy. However, the amount of acetaldehyde which escapes the conversion is responsible for the toxic affects of alcohols, like the free radical cell damage and those tiring hangovers. Alcohol can also cause a rise in the stress hormone, cortisol, which drastically reduces the body's ability to burn calories. Alcohol can also reduce the testosterone level and libido significantly over a period of time. The best way you can aid the liver in the detoxification process is to be drinking a lot of clean filtered water. Detoxification can also be improved by amino acid L-cysteine, borage seed oil and Evening primrose. Chicken soup, fish and food that are rich in Vitamin B and C, apart from minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium are ideal for alcohol detoxification.
