Our liver is the most important organ in the body.
It is responsible for detoxification and is involved in countless enzymatic and chemical processes.
All our blood passes through the liver, where it’s filtered. Toxins and other substances are then removed and eliminated from the body.
If the liver is not working properly toxins will accumulate and inflammation occurs.
Poor liver function is reflected in many areas of the body causing symptoms that we don’t necessary associate directly with the organ.
Some of them are:
- Brain fog or confusion. Depression or sadness due to the connection of the liver with the brain.
- Aches and pains on the right side of the body, between the shoulder blades or behind the right shoulder blade.
- Fatigue
- Hormonal imbalances. The liver conjugates hormones. If estrogen is not properly metabolized it can accumulate causing hot flashes, irregular periods and breast cysts.
- Thyroid issues.
- Cancer, tumors.
- Inflamed eyes. Fatty deposits under the eyes
- Cholesterol issues.
- Headaches, migraines.
- Distended abdomen.
What impairs liver function?
- Certain medications hurt the liver and increase the incidence of gallstones.
Among them are antidepressants, diabetes medication, cholesterol drugs, antipsychotics, certain antibiotics, pain relievers, and birth control pills. Always check the side effects of any medication.
- Alcohol, recreational drugs, processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners, damage the liver predisposing to the development of fatty liver.
People that don’t drink can also develop liver disease. Non-alcoholic liver disease is the most common form in the US, affecting about one quarter of the population. If the damage persists the only solution is a transplant.
Spring is the best time of year to do a liver cleanse.
For 5 days simply eat all your meals in liquid form.
- Start the day with a glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon and honey or stevia. This will help flush out the toxins accumulated during the night.
- Drink smoothies made of fresh fruit, and a non-dairy liquid with bananas, pineapple, blueberries.
- If you own a juicer, carrot, beet, apple, and ginger is a nice combination.
- Celery juice is wonderful to detoxify and heal the digestive system.
- Drink one or two cups of nettles tea a day to reduce liver inflammation.
- Eat apple sauce as a snack or desert (without sugar)
- Make soups and puree them in a blender. Squash and curry soup. Leek and potato soup. Celery root soup. Parsnip and sage soup.
- Take a liver supporting tincture before eating. Look for one that contains herbs like Milk Thistle, turmeric, ginger, dandelion, and Oregon grape root.
- Make sure you are not constipated as constipation backs toxins into the liver. If that’s a problem take an herbal laxative with senna and cascara sagrada.
- Consider an acupuncture treatment to attune your body to the season and help balance liver energy.
In order to preserve liver health
- Stay away from pesticides.
- Stay away from anything that says vegetable oil.
- Stay away from ingredients you can’t pronounce.
- Take apple cider vinegar in water 20 minutes before meals.
- Explore anger and resentment. These emotions have a negative effect on the liver.
- Do yoga. Sun salutations stimulate bile production.
- Stay hydrated.
References
Cynthia Foster MD. https://www.drfostersessentials.com
Anthony Williams. Liver Rescue
Ursula Schmidt, LAc
