HEALTHY BILE AND A HEALTHY BRAIN
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and includes the opinion of the author. Information is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or disease. It is simply information found through experience and/or research. Always follow the directives of a licensed health professional. Neither Anita Bastian nor the publisher of the information takes any responsibility for actions readers take in regards to how they use or perceive the information. Readers are encouraged to do their own research.
Did you know that having a healthy brain depends on having healthy bile? Healthy bile is critical to the health of your brain, your microbiome, and your entire body. In this article, you will learn the importance of healthy bile and five tips to support quality bile production.
What is bile?
Bile is a fluid produced by the liver that is greenish-yellow in color. Bile is then stored and concentrated in the gallbladder.
WHY IS HEALTHY BILE CRITICAL?
1. Bile helps the body break down, utilize, and absorb the fats and fatty acids that we consume.
2. Bile is important in the production and utilization of fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamins A, D, E, and K. (Some people that appear to be low in vitamin D, may be low in vitamin D in part due to poor bile quality and/or bile flow.)
3. Bile plays a key role in breaking down and transporting toxins so they can be safely eliminated by the body.
4. Bile plays a supportive role in regulating hormones and removing excess hormones, like estrogen, from the liver.
5. Healthy bile supports a healthy microbiome in the gut. This supports nutrient absorption as well as the immune system.
6. Having healthy bile reduces the risk of gallstone formation. (Unhealthy bile increases the risk of gallstones.)
7. Bile binds to fat-soluble toxins, like some chemicals and toxic metals, to help the body prepare them for removal. When the liver is overloaded with toxins they can get in our bloodstream and end up any where. Toxins can even end up in the brain. For example, toxic metals and parasites have been found in the brains of afflicted human beings.
8. Bile is involved in the production of bilirubin and the regulation of bilirubin levels.
WHAT DOES BILE HAVE TO DO WITH BRAIN HEALTH?
The brain relies heavily on fats being broken down by the liver into fatty acids that can be transported to the brain to nourish it. According to this PubMed article, “fatty acids are among the most crucial molecules that determine your brain's integrity and ability to perform.” Fatty acids are also critical for vision, which not only relies on healthy eyes, but on a healthy visual cortex in the brain.
There are many studies that have determined that there is improvement for people battling depression when these people effectively use omega-3 fatty acids. Article. Second article. I do, however, caution people in running out and buying omega-3 oils or supplements. Many oils and oil supplements on the market are rancid, tainted with toxins, and poor-quality. Find a practitioner who can test what is best for you before you invest in products that likely won’t help, and that may even cause more harm than good.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN BILE IS NOT HEALTHY AND FLOWING AS IT SHOULD?
1. Sluggish, poor-quality bile can hinder the proper breakdown and absorption of nutrients. It will also negatively impact the transport of nutrients to other areas of the body. I often hear clients say that it feels like food goes right through them or that it feels like they are stuck. These feelings can be indicative of bile issues.
2. Bile ducts can become blocked. There are many bile ducts or pathways connecting the liver to other organs of the body. If the common bile duct that joins the pancreatic duct is blocked, it could put additional stress on the pancreas. If the duct between the gallbladder and the liver is blocked, it can interfere with the quality of the bile as well as cause a back-up of bile to occur in the gallbladder. The common bile duct, along with the pancreatic duct, leads to the duodenum of the small intestine. If there is a blockage in this area, it can negatively affect nutrient absorption and utilization. It can also lead to disorders involving the small intestine.
3. If the body has low- quality bile, it will have a difficult time digesting fats. This is another common problem among Americans today.
4. Sphincters can become blocked or impaired. Sphincters are like little valves that regulate the flow of bile throughout the biliary system. If the bile duct sphincters don’t function properly, bile can become stagnant and not flow as needed. Impairment may cause elevation of liver or pancreatic enzymes, which may or may not be accompanied by pain.
5. Inflammation can occur. Poor bile quality and flow can lead to inflammation of tissues in the digestive tract, the liver, and the pancreas. There are many inflammatory disorders that may be linked to unhealthy bile. It has also been said that if you have an inflamed gut, you have an inflamed brain. No bueno!
WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR BILE?
1. Minimize or avoid bad fats. Bad fats include soybean oil, vegetable oils, canola oil, and olive oil blended with other bad oils. I try to avoid oils in plastic containers or in clear bottles. Seek trusted sources for your fats and oils. Be aware that nearly all salad dressings contain bad oils. My personal favorite is Coccinella olive oil. You can find it in Coccinella olive oils in some specialty stores or you can reach out to me. I try to keep it in stock.
2. Enjoy healthy fats. Healthy fats include tallow, butter, or ghee from 100% grass-fed animals. Another healthy fat is high-quality olive oil stored in dark glass bottles. Unrefined organic cold-pressed coconut oil is also another good option.
3. Avoid drinking alcohol, energy drinks, vitamin waters, soda, or beverages that contain high fructose corn syrup or high amounts of sugar. All of these can add additional stress to an already stressed liver bile duct system and negatively impact the quality of bile.
4. Enjoy the cleanest water possible. For me, this means drinking distilled water and taking the appropriate minerals. I am an affiliate for MyPureWater because I believe that they have one of the best stainless steel water distillers around. Having a water distiller can bring peace of mind when you can’t trust that your water is clean and safe to drink.
5. Get rid of all anger and bitterness. If you are rolling your eyes at this one, then you definitely need to read on. In traditional Chinese medicine, which has been practiced for over 2,000 years, it is believed that the liver holds anger, bitterness, and resentment. Held anger or bitterness can hinder healing. We may not even be aware of the bitterness we are harboring. Holding onto any bitterness or anger isn’t serving you. It’s hurting you.
Here are some passages from God’s Word that come to mind and may be helpful to you.
1. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. (Ephesians 4:26 NIV)
2. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV)
Examine yourself now by asking, “Is there anyone for whom I may be harboring any anger, bitterness, or resentment?” As names come up, pray that God will help you release the bitterness completely. You could also seek God’s if you need to go to them to ask for forgiveness.
This step may not be easy, but it could potentially be the most helpful to you. As the days go on, continue to revisit this. See if there is anyone else. There is often more than one person who has hurt or wronged us. This doesn’t make what they did right or okay. The same person’s name may come up more than once. There may be multiple episodes or events that need to be forgiven. Keep praying and working at it. By forgiving them, you no longer carry the detrimental baggage of bitterness with you. It will lift your spirit, and it could help your bile be healthier too! 😊
Love and blessings,
Anita
PS If you want you think you may have sluggish bile, reach out. The right detox support can make all the difference!