Is Your Liver Functioning Properly?

 

The tell-tale signs of a problem, how to detox, what to eat, what to use as supplement to maintain healthy liver

 

What does your liver actually do?

As most of you will already know, your liver is absolutely KEY!! It works to filter your blood that is coming from the digestive tract and helps to metabolise nutrients and medications. It detoxifies chemicals and breaks down harmful substances like alcohol and drugs. In order to remain healthy, your liver being healthy is really really important!

 

The Tell-Tale Signs of a problem

If your liver isn’t functioning properly, there are a few things that you will probably notice.

• Swelling in your legs and ankles
• Nausea or vomiting
• Itchy skin
• Yellowish eyes and skin
• Fatigue
• Dark urine
• Pale stool

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is really really important that you see a doctor because you could be experiencing the initial stages of liver disease which can be really dangerous to your health.

 

Natural Liver Detoxes and What to Eat

To keep your liver healthy, you might find it helpful to do a liver detox. Some things you can take to help with this are:

1. Turmeric:

Turmeric is an amazing spice that if often used in India for medicinal purposes. Curcumin which is the active ingredient in Turmeric helps to flush out toxins and contains antioxidants that repair liver cells

 

2. Lemon and warm water

Lemon and warm water helps to eliminate toxins from the body, which really helps to promote liver function

 

3. Green leafy veggies

Dark green vegetables are really good for detoxifying the liver naturally as they contain compounds that help to eliminate toxins from the body

 

4. Citrus:

Citrus fruits have high levels of vitamin C and can stimulate the liver and help to break down toxins and convert them into water.

 

5. Beetroot

Beetroot has a high level of fibre and a high level of Vitamin C – these are both really good for cleansing your liver and for helping to breakdown toxins

 

6. Walnuts

Walnuts have a high level of omega-3 fatty acids and arginine. These both support liver cleansing which is really helpful.

 

7. Green tea

Green tea has been shown to have many medical benefits. It has lots of plant based antioxidants which help to promote liver function

 

8. Garlic

Garlic is such an incredible food. It is full of sulphur that helps to flush your body of toxins. It also has high levels of selenium. This helps to boost antioxidant enzyme levels in our livers too, which is great for help us flush out toxins.

 

9. Black coffee

Black coffee can help to protect the build-up of fat and reduce the risk of liver diseases

 

10. Olive Oil

 

Some things you should avoid on your detox are: 

1. Sugar

Too much sugar can limit your body’s ability to detoxify chemicals in your body so it is key that you limit your sugar intake whilst completing a liver detox.

 

2. Processed Foods:

Processed foods have lots of preservatives and synthetic ingredients in them. This can really burden your liver and put it into overdrive, as it is your liver’s job to break down these toxins. So when completing a liber detox it is really important to avoid processed foods.

 

3. Alcohol:

Your liver breaks down alcohol, when completing a liver detox, it is good to avoid alcohol and give your liver a break

 

Supplements for Keeping your Liver Healthy

Some supplements that have been proven to keep your liver healthy and working at its maximum function, are:

• NAC
• Artichoke Leaf
• Turmeric Root Yellow Dock Root
• Ginger
• Choline

 

Most of these contain potent antioxidant properties and help your liver to breakdown and flush out different toxins that you ingest.