LIVER HEALTH - 14 Foods that Cleanse the Liver

LIVER HEALTH - Liver Anatomy and Blood Supply

LIVER HEALTH - Clean out your liver

Need to clear your skin, 

improve digestion or boost your energy? 

Keeping your liver healthy could be the key

 

Our liver's main function is to naturally detox the body. It is our internal cleaner, which, given the right support, has the ability to keep the body clear of the junk which can cause illness.

The liver is our second-largest organ (only the skin is bigger) and therefore one of the most important. If the body was an automobile, the liver would be its engine. It does hundreds of things to make sure it runs smoothly, playing a vital role in regulating fat and balancing our hormones, digestion and circulation.

But medical herbalist Dominique Finney says the liver's main job is to get rid of foreign substances. "Anything that enters the bloodstream is filtered through the liver to ensure that quality nutrients go to the organs, while any excess is removed."

Acupuncturist Adam Davidson says from a Chinese medicine perspective, the liver controls the flow of qi (energy) through the body. "It also 'rules' the tendons and stores the blood which nourishes the eyes and nails. It also influences our digestion and menstruation."

Blocked liver

Indulging in alcohol or junk food may be fun at the time, but it will make your liver work extra hard. All the alcohol, processed foods and toxic chemical residue we're exposed to get caught in the liver. If we are exposed to too much junk, our liver starts to resemble a dirty, wet sponge that needs to be wrung out.

Finney says when the liver becomes congested it will not filter blood optimally. "It can become blocked, fatty or bloated. It will then contribute to high cholesterol and lowered synthesis of nutrients and new cells, compromising your health."

This is why many alcoholics have liver failure: the organ is never given time to regenerate.

The liver is behind the ribs in the upper right-hand part of the abdomen. We can only survive one or two days if it shuts down. That said, the liver can function even when up to 75 per cent of it is diseased, as it has the amazing ability to create new liver tissue.

More than 2000 Australians die from liver diseases each year. The first signs of a struggling liver include headaches; fatigue; depression; poor concentration; mood swings; allergies; rashes; red, itchy eyes; food sensitivities; sore and stiff sides or even a bitter taste in the mouth.

Should you detox?

Dietitian Emilie Isles doesn't encourage detox plans because the liver is always working to detoxify the body. "You're better off improving eating habits to boost liver function instead of paying for gimmicky plans or following restrictive diets. We need to get back in touch with real food and ensure we understand what nutrients we need."

Isles recommends keeping your diet relatively low in fat, consuming five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit per day and keeping alcohol to a minimum.

Davidson agrees. "I'm not a fan of detoxing, unless it's a severe case, and then only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner."

Finney says: "Detoxing is a natural bodily process that occurs every night when you sleep and each time you are sick. You need nothing to detox properly except yourself, fresh water, a place to rest peacefully and some silence."

Liver helpers

While the key to a healthy liver is maintaining harmony and balance, Davidson says there are some foods and supplements that will help the liver do its work better.

"Ginger, most dark green leafy vegetables, beetroot and mint will all help the free flow of our qi. The most common traditional Chinese medicine herbal formula for liver ailments is called xiao yao san, and can be made by a qualified practitioner or bought in pill form."

Liver cleansers

Carrots: High in beta-carotene, they help regulate blood-sugar levels, while reducing inflammation in the body and are a good energy food.

Milk thistle: Contains an antioxidant that acts as a toxin blocker. Capsules can be taken daily for an extended period to repair the liver.

Black walnuts: Help to eliminate toxins. Finney says it can be taken in powder or capsule form, for 30 days, after which you should give it a rest.

Lemons: Cleanse not only the liver, but also the gallbladder, kidneys, digestive tract and lungs.

Garlic: Helps strengthen and cleanse the blood, while giving the liver and kidneys a spring clean.

Dandelion tea: Dandelion has been used for centuries. It is a blood purifier and antioxidant and is recommended for those with liver complaints.

Beetroot juice: Contains a chemical called betaine that stimulates the liver cells and protects the liver and bile ducts.

Get plenty of sleep: Also have infrared saunas, indulge in lymphatic massages and drink lots of filtered water.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/

LIVER HEALTH - 10 tips for liver detox

Burning the candle at both ends? Here's 10 natural ways 

to give your liver a good cleanse

 

Our resident naturopath Mim Beim shares her best liver cleansing advice.

Herbal bitters

Bitter medicines are beloved by herbalists. The bitter taste stimulates digestive processes, including the liver's production of bile. Bile, part digestive juice, part waste product, is made by the liver and excreted via the bowel.  Herbal bitters are also known as Swedish Bitters.

St. Mary's Thistle

St. Mary's Thistle and the Police share the same motto – "To protect and serve". It protects liver cells from damage from the likes of alcohol and carbon tetrachloride and serves to regenerate already damaged liver cells.

Lemon juice

The juice of half a lemon in hot water first thing in the morning is a time-honoured way to start the day, and is an excellent wake up call for the liver. The sourness of lemons triggers nerve and hormone activation to the liver and digestive system. Very helpful for those who suffer from sluggish bowels.

Brussels sprouts

The brassica family including cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, contain glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are sulphur containing (hence the boarding school corridor smell) compounds that protect the liver from damage and improve its ability to eliminate toxins and excess hormones.

Turmeric

The spice that colours curries yellow, and was also used to dye the robes of Hindu priests. Turmeric has impressive anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body, including the liver. Excellent for a liver virus or infection.

Crab apple

The Bach Flower, Crab Apple, is for people who feel ashamed of their physical appearance, and may themselves feel toxic. Although Bachs are mostly recommended for emotional purposes, Crab Apple, fits the bill nicely to be used for dexox purposes.

Water

Drinking sufficient fluids such as water, tea and herbal tea, improves the flow of nutrients to, and waste products from, the liver. Not drinking enough may increase the risk of gallstones, which is when bile becomes too concentrated in the gall bladder.

Zinc

Zinc is important in many enzyme reactions throughout the body. In particular, zinc is needed by the liver enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase, to break down alcohol into less toxic substances. If you drink, you need zinc.

Dandelion Root

A long history of healing ailing livers. Dandelion root coffee is black and bitter, making it an excellent coffee alternative if you are keen on improving liver health.

Methionine

An essential amino acid, methionine is vital for several detoxification processes performed by the liver. It also forms part of a compound known as glutathione, which is an antioxidant, protecting liver and other cells from damage.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/

LIVER HEALTH - How St Mary's thistle benefits the liver

This powerful herb helps heal the liver

 

St Mary’s thistle (which is sometimes called milk thistle) is beloved by herbalists for its role in healing the liver. Studies show it can protect hepatocytes (liver cells) from long-term damage caused by chemotherapy drugs, alcohol and paracetamol. Hepatitis and other conditions that damage the liver cause a hardening or fibrosis, which negatively impacts liver function. St Mary’s thistle has been found to reduce this fibrosis. The only consideration with this safe herb is it may hinder iron absorption from food, so don’t have it at the same time as iron-rich meals such as meat and green leafy veg.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/

LIVER HEALTH - How to look after your liver

Your liver needs to function properly for optimum health. 

Here's how you can help.

 

Every day we are exposed to an array of toxins through the food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the chemicals we put on our skin. It's the job of the liver to filter these substances from our blood so they can be eliminated from the body.Diets high in fatty, processed and chemical-laden foods place a heavy burden on our already overworked livers. Soft drinks and foods containing high fructose corn syrups have also been found to be harmful to the liver, according to recent research from the Duke University Medical Centre.

Having a healthy diet containing nutrients needed for liver detoxificationis essential for maintaining proper liver function and good health. If the liver becomes overloaded or deficient in any of these nutrients,detoxification processes will be affected, resulting in toxins being pushed back into the blood, causing fatigue, weakened immune function, poor memory and damage to cells in the body.

Natural support

Four foods to give your liver a helping hand

Dandelion root: Used by herbalists to promote liver detoxification. Available from health food shops in granule form as a healthy caffeine-free alternative to coffee.

Garlic: Contains methionine, which is necessary for liver detoxification and increases glutathione levels (one of the main detoxifiers used by the liver).

Cruciferous vegetables: Cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts and cauliflower contain natural sulfur compounds that aid in liver detoxification.

St Mary's thistle: Enhances liver detoxification and protects against liver damage. Available from health food stores in tablet or tincture form.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/