Your Guide to a Healthy Liver
One very instrumental organ that I do not want to leave out is the Liver, ultimately do to the fact that it has over 500 known functions. It is something that we cannot leave out and the importance of the liver is not stressed enough. It is involved in digestion, the endocrine system, controlling blood sugar, and protein fat metabolism
The liver determines the metabolic fate of every nutrient that we digest and absorb, and is essential in the functioning of life. And it also produces one liter of bile for the gallbladder each day (which plays a role in the digestion of fats), emulsifying large globules of fat into tiny globules of fat; it also plays a very important role in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Here are the roles of the Liver:
Detoxification
The liver detoxifies the blood from drug and alcohol, including our homemade drugs, such as hormones. This must occur so that these toxins aren't available in the blood for prolonged periods.
When we are under chronic stress, our bodies produce excess hormones and if they aren't excreted through sweat or tears,then the liver has to work overtime to metabolize them.
Aids the Digestive System
The liver receives the end products of what is broken down by the stomach and digestive tracts. This is why it is important to make sure your digestion is optimal so the liver doesn't have to overwork and work overtime.
Heat
If the liver has to overwork then it conducts heat. The liver is the most active between 11 pm and 3 am. If you frequently break into night sweat during this time frame, you really may want to take a look at why your liver is working so hard. Winding down, relaxing, drinking warm tea, and not eating around 10 pm to help your liver prepare for its activity will help in reducing some of the load.
Signs of Hormone Imbalance ....AND A SLUGGISH LIVER
Bouts of Anger
Weak or Stiff Muscles
Skin issues like eczema or psoriasis
Allergic reactions to food or drinks
Depression or anxiety
Difficulty Focusing Brain fogs
Constant Bloating
Can't Control Moodiness, frustration, irritable
Frequent Hot/Cold Flashes
Drink Multiple cups of coffee to get through the day
Sugar/Carb cravings Excess fatigue
Nutrient deficiencies
Poor immune system
Weight Fluctuation
Frequent Flare-Ups in Autoimmune conditions like Thyroid diseases, Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis
Irregular Menstrual Cycles, & PMS
How to Care for your Liver:
1. Drink lemon water first thing in the morning to rejuvenate the liver from a hard nights work, create an alkaline environment, and improve digestion.
Incorporate a green drink or smoothie. This includes fresh veggies such as celery, parsley, Kale, romaine or spinach as the base to help in the phases of Detoxification.
2. Green drinks are multi-beneficial. If green smoothies aren't your thing, try an antioxidant smoothie or juice with berries low in sugar.
3. Decrease or eliminate added sugars, fried foods, and animal fats. Decrease alcohol intake and be sure not to drink too much caffeine. Caffeine depletes the body of nutrients and takes hours for the body to eliminate.
4. Find ways to decrease your stress and healthy outlets to keep your cortisol levels balanced. There is so much power in taking time to breathe, place our phones and computers to the side, & being immersed in the beauty of nature.
I hope these tips were helpful and I know your liver will thank you if you incorporate at least one of the above ways to care for it.
References:
Deeply Holistic, Pip Waller
Comments