Even small amounts of environmental toxins can lead to liver disease, so be mindful of your environment and what you consume

It is well known that toxins in large amounts can truly impact our health, but what about toxins in smaller amounts? A lot of headway has been made to ban or otherwise limit the amount of environmental toxins that are in our food, household products, and other well known and used materials. Most of the most poisonous chemicals are no longer in our everyday items; however, we may still have some cause for concern. According to Liver Support.Com, a study out of the University of Louisville has found that environmental toxins in small amounts can lead to liver damage and disease.

Researchers from the University examined data from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The team was looking for any unusual liver enzymes or other abnormalities associated with the liver. They then excluded people who had conventional risk factors, such as hepatitis or alcoholism, and determined that approximately one in three adults in the United States have some form of liver disease. After making this astonishing conclusion, the researchers wanted to determine if environmental factors could help explain this high percentage of people suffering from the disease. They tested urine and blood samples of the participants to determine whether there were common pollutants that may impact liver health. Liver Support.com reports that the researchers tested for various toxins, including lead, mercury, and pesticides. Lead is found in virtually everything that we come in contact with, including water, paint, dust, and gas. There is less of it in manufactured products; however, it exists naturally and as such, is nearly impossible to completely avoid. Mercury is also naturally occurring and is most often present in fish, dental fillings, and vaccines. Finally, many pesticides have been banned from use in the United States; however, some could still exist in the environment through the food we eat. The researchers concluded that environmental toxins, even at small levels, play an integral role in the development of liver disease.

In light of such negative news and with the knowledge that most toxins are in everything, including the soil we walk on, what can we do to prevent or decrease liver damage? First, we need to know what is in the materials we use in our home and if we are in older homes, have the paint tested for its lead content. You can filter water, be educated about where your food comes from, and generally, limit your exposure to toxins. Next, you can try to prevent the onset of liver disease by supplementing with milk thistle and avoiding a great deal of sugar in your diet. There may be no way to completely cut all toxins out of your life; however, just taking a few small steps will result in big steps for your liver health.