Your liver performs HUNDREDS of functions that are absolutely essential to keeping you healthy.
Recognizing & eliminating toxins and foreign pathogens
Metabolizing nutrients into energy
Storing and spreading vitamins and minerals
Producing bile & managing fat digestion
Regulating and removing excess hormones
Regulating blood sugar and storing energy for later use
Producing cholesterol essential to tissue and cell repair
Your liver has a tough job, especially in today's world where it can easily become bogged down as it works to process the many toxins that we are exposed to everyday: chemicals in processed foods, the environment, skincare, beauty and cleaning products, etc...
When your liver is congested & in distress this can result in symptoms that may lead to much greater illness if left unaddressed. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described below, it is likely that your liver could use a bit more love.
Gas & bloating
Abdominal pain
Hemorrhoids
Weight gain or loss
Excessive sweating
Chronic fatigue
Head aches and migraines
Skin issues, eczema, acne, rash
Mood swings, anxiety
Trouble sleeping, waking up in the middle of the night
Constipation
Bruising & scaring easily
Swelling in arms and legs
Hormonal imbalance
Your Gallbladder stores and releases bile into your intestines.
Bile is essential for:
- Fat digestion
- Absorption of vitamins A, D, E & K
- Eliminating toxins
Here are a few simple ways that you can support liver and gallbladder:
Drink plenty of clean water ~ 1/2 body weight in oz per day.
Enjoy quality fats & avoiding junk oils. (Click here for quality fats sources. )
Enjoy a diet high in organically grown, whole foods.
Avoid processed foods + artificial and chemical additives.
Limit alcohol consumption.
Find enjoyable ways to relieve stress.
Spend time outside in the sunshine, to get your dose of Vitamin D.
Exercise - even just 30 min walk a day is great for getting your blood and lymph moving.
Get restful sleep, 6-8 hours/day is ideal.
Incorporate liver boosting foods, herbs & supplements into your diet. (See below.)
Foods to boost the health of your liver, gallbladder and clear those detoxification pathways:
Beets, celery, warm water with fresh lemon, cold pressed green juices, herbal and green teas, broccoli and cauliflower, dark leafy greens, onions and garlic, fresh herbs, turmeric and ginger.
Herbs: Milk thistle, dandelion root, globe artichoke, ginger root, yellow dock and burdock.
*Enjoy whole as well as in teas & tinctures.
Favorite supplements to aid with liver function and detoxification:
Megasporbiotic - a potent probiotic that encourages the health of your gut microbiome to ensure that you are properly digesting and absorbing nutrients, as well as boosting Immune System function.
Beta-TCP, Biotics Research - stimulates bile production and aids in the breakdown of dietary fats and elimination of toxins from the body.
Trizomal Glutathione, Apex Synergetics - glutathione is your body's most powerful antioxidant. It helps your liver to combat toxins that cause damage to your cells, tissues and organs.
NAC, Biotics Research - N-acetyl cysteine is essential to making glutathione, aids with detoxification, helps relieve symptoms of respiratory illness, boosts brain health, can help stabilize blood sugars and boost your immune system.
Biomega 3, Biotics Research - provides potent doses of essential fatty acids which are vital to your over-all health. Boosts brain function, supports immune function, calms inflammation and promotes cellular health.
Livixer Elixer, Wise Woman Herbals - is a potent herbal remedy that supports the body's digestive processes to optimize the body's ability to digest and absorb nutrients as well as eliminate toxins from the body.
Livotrit Plus, Biotics Research - is an Ayurvedic mixture of botanicals that support the liver's ability to aid with digestion and detoxification and helps to cleanse the body of free-radicals that will otherwise cause cellular damage and signs of premature aging.
Interested in learning more about how to optimize your liver function and overall health naturally?
Contact me to schedule a discovery call: jaime@betterbellynutrition.com
References:
How To Promote Natural Liver Health: Small Actions, Huge Impact, www.fullscript.com
The Ultimate Detoxification Foods, www.drhyman.com
Liver Anatomy & Functions, www.hopkinsmedicine.org
Anatomy & Function of the Liver, www.stanfordchildrens.org