Bile: The Not-So-Glamorous Hero of Overall Health
Do you feel sluggish most days, have digestive issues that frustrate you, or maybe struggle to lose weight? People experiencing the symptoms I mentioned would benefit from improving their bile production. Bile is an unsung hero of overall health impacting far more than just digestion.
Now that sounds technical, I know, but don’t fret because it’s a much simpler concept than it seems. Here’s the thing, when you are not producing enough bile your body isn’t able to eliminate or detox properly. Bile is what binds toxins and the higher quality it is, the more toxins it can effectively bind to.
WHAT IS BILE?
Bile is way more important than just being associated with throwing up, bile plays a major role in gastric motility, fat digestion, and detoxing the body. Bile is a digestive aid that is produced by the liver, so it is no wonder that both systems are greatly affected. It serves the very important role of binding to toxins, bile is your friend because he is cleaning things up for your body!
IMPORTANCE OF BILE PRODUCTION & QUALITY?
If bile is not being produced or flowing properly (low quality bile), many body systems can suffer. Just think, things aren’t able to be cleaned up as properly, so you’ll likely be constipated and toxins will hang out in different parts of the body instead of being expelled out.
Detox: with toxins being reabsorbed into the body instead of cleansed out, it can lead to mitochondrial damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Balances the Gut Microbiome: If your bile is low quality, your gut bacteria can be thrown off. Healthy bile production leads to a diversified gut microbiome which protects you in more ways than one with the intricate relationship between the gut, the brain, and the immune system.
Bowel Regularity: Because of the binding nature of bile, it is what pulls things through your digestive system, allowing your bowel movements to stay regular.
Fat Digestion: Bile allows fat to be broken down into small enough particles to be absorbed by the villi of the small intestine. Fat malabsorption is linked with issues such as hormone imbalance, gallstones, and gallbladder pain.
Cholesterol Breakdown: A lot of times, high LDL cholesterol can signal bile flow issues.
HOW TO STIMULATE/IMPROVE BILE:
Consumption of Bitter Foods: Bitter foods stimulate bile production. Digestion begins in the mouth with saliva production starting that contains essential enzymes based on the chemical reaction that happens with particular foods, this sends signals to your gut and your brain. Just think of what your mouth feels like when something bitter touches it--this is your body working!
Coffee Enemas: Coffee enemas flush out the colon which stimulates peristalsis and bile production. It is no wonder these are so great for constipation.
Diaphragmatic Breathwork: Through diaphragmatic breathing the function of abdominal organs improves by breathing directly into that area, the diaphragm. The diaphragm expands and massages the liver, allowing for more optimal functioning.
BITTER FOODS & BEVERAGES:
Arugula
Artichoke
Broccoli
Endive
Kale
Citrus fruits
Dandelion
Eggplant
Brussel Sprouts
Cranberries
Ginger
Mint
Sesame Seeds
Chocolate
Green Tea
Coffee