It will be recalled that the liver acts not only on the foods, but it also stands on guard to neutralize poisonous ferments, due to putrefactions absorbed from the intestines, and to render them harmless. To a limited extent it also oxidizes alcohol.
After the gorging of a heavy meal, the overloaded blood and liver express themselves in a sluggishness of the brain and one feels mentally as well as physically inert.
Since both carbohydrates and protein undergo chemical changes in the liver, it is evident that a diet consisting of an excess of either, must overwork the liver, not only through the nutritive food elements absorbed, but through the toxic substances which may be produced.
The regulation of diet, when the liver is in an abnormal condition, must be more in the quantity than in the quality of food.
The condition of the liver depends also on the activity of the intestines, since the poisonous products from imperfectly digested and fermenting food, not being eliminated, will be absorbed and carried to the liver. If the food remains in the intestines too long, it is attacked by the bacteria always present there, fermentation results and poisons are absorbed and carried to the liver, which usually can render them harmless to the system. If for any reason the liver is diseased, overloaded, or its action is sluggish, these toxins are absorbed in larger quantities than the liver is able to handle, hence they reënter the blood and poison the system.
The most important corrective agencies, when the liver is inactive, is a fast for a day or two, a free drinking of water, deep breathing, and exercise so directed as to bring a free supply of blood to this organ.
It is apparent that the blood must carry its full quota of oxygen to assist in eliminating both the nitrogenous waste and the poisons. It must also be remembered that the liver must oxidize the waste from its own tissues, as well as from other parts of the system.
Biliousness
This condition is due to the overproduction of bile which may be absorbed into the blood to inactivity of the body and a resultant sluggish circulation of blood; to overwork of the liver due to overeating; and to insufficient breathing of pure air. It may also result from constipation and the resultant absorption of toxic matter, as previously described.