Get that Bile Flowing!

One of the number one overlooked parts of healing is liver and gallbladder health. You can read more about the gallbladder HERE and the liver HERE. So what’s the big deal about bile? And what the heck is it anyway?! Bile is a clear yellow (or orange or green) liquid that is created in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile helps us digest and assilimate fats, it helps alkalinize the intestines, and helps us absorb fat soluble nutrients. In a healthy person, bile is made in the liver with no issue. But for those that are deficient in crucial nutrients (like taurine) or overloaded with toxins, it is hard for the liver to keep up with the demand to produce bile. So keeping the bile flowing is SUPER important. How do we do that? Let me count the ways… Taurine: Taurine is most known for its role in making bile so fats can be properly utilized. The Liver needs taurine for proper detoxification and is a key component to prevent and reverse fatty liver disease because of its role in reducing oxidative stress. Check out this study from PubMed on liver health and taurine. Dandelion Root– You can eat dandelion roots or even have a tea made. I have a daily cup of dandelion tea with blackstrap molasses for a huge boost of potassium! Beets- You can eat beets and beet greens, or you can get a beet root powder. Beets are best organic since they are a very common GMO crop. Artichokes- Helps to increase bile flow and fat digestion Choline- abundant in eggs, beef, poultry and fish Lemon Water- A great way to help the liver is to have a glass of warm water with the juice of a fresh squeezed lemon. Apple Cider Vinegar- ACV helps digestion in all ways. It is a prebiotic, it helps you digest your food better if you have low stomach acid, and it helps thin out the bile Coffee enemas- These are one of the most popular ways for stimulating bile flow. They are not for everyone though but they can be a very helpful part of the healing process. If you have very low minerals or weak adrenals it is best to be cautious with enemas as they can cause dehydration and heavy detox. Ox Bile (mostly if you do not have a gallbladder) Castor oil packs Stay hydrated! Water is also needed for bile flow. Stick with filters like Berkey or Tapmaster. More healthy fats- Grass fed butter, coconut oil, nuts, avocados, and omega-3 rich fish help signal to your body to properly make bile. HCL with Pepsin and Gentian Bitters- Improving digestion in general will help with bile flow. Gentian Bitters are especially helpful for bile. There are PLENTY of ways to get the bile flowing. You can easily add a few of these tips into your daily life, or switch them around so you get a wide variety of benefits. Did I miss any awesome bile flow helpers? Let me know in the comments! (This post contains some affiliate links. If you purchase items from these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog running free for you. I usually post these links to give everyone an idea on price and brands to look for) (Disclaimer! I am not a doctor, so what I write about on this blog is for informational purposes. I think it is important to take charge of your own health, but it is also important to use caution and research things on your own, as well as work with a knowledgeable practitioner. If you do anything suggested in this article, you are taking responsibility for your own health and wellness) About Kristin I've been on the natural healing journey for about 4 years now. I am on the path to get my degree in clinical nutrition, and hopefully to get my doctorate after that. I love to help others realize that they have the potential to heal themselves! Disclaimer- I am not a doctor so if you are suffering from an illness, I would advise you to seek out a licensed health professional before embarking on any suggestions I make. The suggestions on this website are just for informational purposes only and by choosing any of the natural remedies discussed here, you will be taking responsibility for your own health and wellness View all posts by Kristin →