Have you actually ever heard anyone say that?! Neither have I (except maybe in an anatomy lab!). But, it would be a huge compliment. Let’s take a quick look…
You may have heard that your liver is very important in your overall health. I am here to confirm that! Your liver’s primary job is something equivalent to a huge air filter. It helps remove things that are toxic to your body. If it gets trashed, you can’t get a new one…
You might be surprised to know that your liver helps handle hormone clearance and helps stores vitamins and minerals. Your liver also helps produce bile, which is essential to good digestion and gall bladder function. The liver also produces enzymes and proteins that are related to proper digestion and absorption. The immune system can be effected if the liver does not remove all the toxins floating through the bloodstream that can make us sick if not destroyed properly.
Here are some great ways for you to support a healthy liver…
- If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. There is no health reason to drink alcohol. The benefits that are mentioned are available from foods, so I would say that drinking alcohol for a health reason is not a good reason. If you choose to drink for social reasons, limiting your consumption to the occasional drink or two is a wise approach.
- Stay away from toxic chemicals in cleaning products and beauty products. We had an entire topic on this, so I won’t go into detail again. Just know that these products need to be cleared by your liver. The more you exposure yourself to these things, the more work your liver has to do.
- Drink plenty of water. Half of your body weight in ounces is a minimum for most people. Plenty of water is important to help in the detoxification process where your liver breaks down and eliminates toxins.
- Eat the foods that support healthy liver function. This means that they help in the detoxification process. These foods include healthy amounts of B vitamins, Vitamin C and an abundance of Trace Minerals. Great choices include: Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, citrus fruits, and berries. Bitter herbs are also very good for liver support. Beets are a nutritional power-house for the liver. Liver from beef or chicken is also a great addition to a well-rounded diet. Eggs contain high amounts of sulphur which are great for liver function. Certain herbs such as parsley, cilantro, ginger, milk thistle, dandelion, peppermint, garlic and turmeric are also great for liver support.
- Avoid processed junk foods and those sprayed with pesticides. These food additives and chemical must be detoxified using the liver. Exposure to these products can put stress on your liver.
- Taking supplements, as needed, like Milk Thistle to support healthy liver function.
A quick note on detox programs. Chances are you have seen a kit at the store. I have worked with many people on detox and here is what I would say. Sometimes, those make people feel worse. There are several keys to supporting a healthy detoxification program. If you don’t address all the proper factors, you can actually create a situation where you are more toxic than when you started. I recommend consulting a professional for advice about if a detox program is the right answer and if so, how and when to do it.
Supporting a healthy liver is essential to good overall health. The more of these strategies you practice, the better!
If you have any questions on liver function, or another health issue, please reach out to me and we will get started on your path to personal health!
Dr. Jeni
