A systemic phenomenon for oxidative stress in cholestatic liver disease
This article appears a little complex, but it basically states that alterations in liver function can damage other areas of the body. This is not really a new concept, and when a physician understands the detoxification process in the liver, he or she can learn to improve or eliminate this damage to the rest of the body.
Physicians practising functional medicine have known for years that the liver, if the two detoxification phases are not working in sinc, can damage itself. The process is called metabolic activation and this article suggests that this process is also creating damage systemically as well. And, normal “liver function tests” will not pick this up. A true liver function tests needs to look at just that…the function of the liver. Unfortunately, many gastroenterologists are unaware that panels exist that check the liver’s detoxification pathways.
Gut — Abstracts: Ljubuncic et al. 47 (5): 710