Smoothy Slim
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko Pexels Logo Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko

What are signs you need a liver cleanse?

ACUTE SIGNS YOUR LIVER IS STRUGGLING INCLUDE: Feeling sluggish, tired and fatigued constantly. White or yellow-coated tongue and/or bad breath. Weight gain – especially around the abdomen. Cravings and/or blood sugar issues. Headaches. Poor digestion. Feeling nauseas after fatty meals. More items... •

What foods clog your colon?
What foods clog your colon?

7 Foods That Can Cause Constipation Alcohol. Alcohol is frequently mentioned as a likely cause of constipation. ... Gluten-containing foods. Gluten...

Read More »
Why is it so hard to lose weight?
Why is it so hard to lose weight?

Why Is It So Hard to Lose Weight? Your body is designed to hold onto as much fat as possible to store for times when food may be scarce. That makes...

Read More »
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

10 signs your liver is sluggish and tips to help detoxify

The liver is the biggest organ of detoxification in your body. It’s what protects us from all the toxins we are exposed to from the environment, or the toxins we ingest such as alcohol, processed foods, refined sugar, etc. So, if we consumed a bit more than usual of these substances over the holiday season, our liver would have gotten a work out. Now is a great time to show your liver some love and help support it in doing its job. You can’t do a “liver detox” as such, as the liver is always detoxifying every minute of every day. What you can do though is improve its function and efficiency by supporting the specific detoxification pathways, while reducing the load and stress you put on it.

Why is the liver important for health?

Your liver is like a factory that receives, filters and then repackages all substances for use in the body, or for the safe removal of those that are harmful. Any substance we take in via food, air or skin goes through this pathway. The liver is also a vital organ for digestive function. Your liver detoxifies harmful substances in two steps. The first step, called Phase 1 liver detoxification, is using enzymes and oxygen to burn toxins, partially breaking them down making them water-soluble for easier elimination. The second step called Phase 2, combines these partially processed toxins with amino acids to make them less harmful and to removed from the body through watery fluids like bile and urine. It is extremely important that both steps be in balance and are working efficiently. During Phase 1 free radicals are produced which, if excessive, can damage the liver cells. If Phase 2 is sluggish, then these partially processed toxins aren’t eliminated causing build up in your body. These partially processed toxins are free radicals in nature, which are more damaging than the original toxins. When you expose your body to high alcohol, smoking, processed foods, or environmental toxins (think pesticides, house hold chemicals, toxic make up), this second stage slows down and prevents the liver from handling the load, increasing toxin build up systemically.

SIGNS YOU MAY NEED TO SUPPORT LIVER HEALTH

When your liver is overwhelmed with the burden of high toxin exposure you start to feel the effects in your whole mind-body.

ACUTE SIGNS YOUR LIVER IS STRUGGLING INCLUDE:

Feeling sluggish, tired and fatigued constantly

White or yellow-coated tongue and/or bad breath

Weight gain – especially around the abdomen

Cravings and/or blood sugar issues

Headaches

Poor digestion

Feeling nauseas after fatty meals

Intolerant to strong smells such as perfumes

Pain in the right side of your stomach

Skin breakouts; acne, rashes

What food is good for high blood pressure and sugar?
What food is good for high blood pressure and sugar?

The DASH diet is rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains. It includes fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, beans and nuts. It...

Read More »
What should I drink first in the morning to lose belly fat?
What should I drink first in the morning to lose belly fat?

Drinking honey and lemon water the first thing in the morning is an age-old trick for weight loss and is a common practice in Indian households....

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

If your liver is under stress for a long time a condition called fatty liver develops. Fatty liver is the build-up of excess fat in the liver. It’s a common condition in Western countries, affecting 1 in 10 people. Serious conditions such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cirrhosis and cancer ensue after fatty liver.

THREE TIPS TO SUPPORT LIVER DETOXIFICATION

Remove foods that are especially harmful to your liver

Eliminate all refined and processed foods such as simple carbohydrates and refined sugar. This includes all biscuits, cakes, white breads, soft drinks and baked goods. Substitute toxic and poor quality fats and oils like canola oil, corn oil, margarine and trans fats for good quality oils such as ghee, butter, coconut oil or rice bran oil.

Decrease animal products, especially red meat and processed meats.

Eliminate or greatly reduce alcohol. If you have experienced 3 or more of the above symptoms end immediately.

Minimise/ Avoid coffee

Include foods into your diet that support liver and digestive function

Eat fresh, seasonal, wholefoods, fruits and vegetables. Preferably organic if this is an option. Start the day with a big cup of warm water and fresh lemon juice. Drink enough water throughout the day – 1 cup every hour.

Foods that support liver detoxification:

Beetroot, turmeric, onion, garlic, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, green leafy vegetables (especially the bitter kind such as Rocket, endive, dandelion leaves), wheat germ, legumes, grapefruit, lemon

A fresh juice of beetroot, ginger, carrot and celery daily greatly assists.

Herbal Medicine

St Marys Thistle

St Mary’s thistle is also commonly known as Milk Thistle. It is the best herb to restore liver cells. The liver of course is the organ that can easily regenerate itself. Milk Thistle stimulates detoxification as its balancing for both phases of detoxification. It also helps the liver to deal with fat better. Research shows Milk Thistle is effective in treating fatty liver disease (Cacciapuoti, et al, 2013). It’s a potent antioxidant so protects the liver from harmful free radicals and chemicals.

Dandelion Root

Traditionally Dandelion root is used to clear a sluggish or congested liver. In modern medicine it’s been shown to increases bile flow. Increased bile flow supports the removal of the packaged toxins through phase 2 to be eliminated from the body more efficiently. Increased bile flow also assists in strengthening digestive function and helps to relive constipation. Dandelion leaves are eater as a bitter green in a salad. The dried root also makes a tea and is often used a coffee substitute.

Author: Tegan Wallis

Holistic Health Practitioner at Veda Wellness.

© 2016 Griffith Consulting Group Pty Ltd All Rights Reserved

Why do I feel so fat after eating?
Why do I feel so fat after eating?

After eating when the stomach may be distended and we feel full, it's more likely to “feel fat.” Try to keep in mind that your stomach is full and...

Read More »
Why is my waist so wide?
Why is my waist so wide?

A larger waist circumference is often caused by intra-abdominal visceral fat. Visceral fat is fat that develops between and around internal organs....

Read More »
Common yard weed melts 60lbs of fat?
Common yard weed melts 60lbs of fat?

Made into a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favorite beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »
What are the 3 healthiest meats?
What are the 3 healthiest meats?

5 of the Healthiest Meats Sirloin Steak. Sirloin steak is both lean and flavorful – just 3 ounces packs about 25 grams of filling protein! ......

Read More »
Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab
Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »
What does fat in urine look like?
What does fat in urine look like?

In addition to an oily appearance, your urine might also have a milky white color. This is due to the presence of fat and protein in lymph fluid.

Read More »