The liver is the largest organ in your body; it is the major cleanser and filter of the blood stream and plays a critical role in keeping you healthy and free from an incredible amount of toxins and chemicals that make their way into your diet. The liver contains many cells called Kupffer cells that ingest and break down toxic matter, it has been discovered that there are more than an incredible 300 billion Kupffer cells!

The liver is such an amazing filter that it is even capable of breaking down a wide range micro-organisms as well, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and many different kinds of parasites from the bloodstream. The liver, like any filter, requires regular cleaning for optimal performance. It has been estimated that the liver performs over 500 different functions inside your body, and regular care and cleansing of your liver will not only ensure that it’s many functions will become improved over time, but that your overall health and well being improves to a remarkable degree.

You will be able to read a lot more about the importance of liver cleansing when it comes to psoriasis in The Psoriasis Program.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Psoriasis

I discovered several studies ( 1,2) that point out the liver’s connection and psoriasis.

In particular, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects about half of patients with plaque psoriasis and a functional liver disorder is strongly associated with psoriasis severity, Italian researchers have shown in 2009. Their findings come from a prospective clinical study involving 130 patients presenting with chronic plaque psoriasis and 260 healthy people without psoriasis, matched for age, gender and body mass index. Research has also discovered that the traditional and commonly prescribed systemic anti-psoriatic drugs (such as Methotrexate) for chronic plaque psoriasis in those with NAFLD may cause major side-effects and predispose a person to other chronic diseases.

Patients with psoriasis should be encouraged to correct modifiable liver risk factors, such as becoming overweight or obese and moderate to heavy alcohol consumption, because modifying these risk factors will not only positively affect both their psoriasis and risk of other diseases, but their life expectancy as well.