The liver is a red brown organ weighing in at about 3 to 5 lbs., resides beneath the diaphragm on the right hand side of the body, and has many functions. It has two large arteries, the heptic artery, which has the task of carrying oxygen rich blood from the heart to the liver, and the portal vein which carry’s out the blood with foods that are digested.The liver is one of the hardest working organs in the body, and fantastic liver health means well being, an overstressed liver however, means ill health and possible poor quality of life.
Liver functions
- Filters harmful toxins, chemicals, preservatives, alcohol etc.. The liver is the most important line of defense against toxins entering and damaging our system.
- Turns sugar into glycogen that’s fuel for your body. Some glycogen is used immediately and the remainder might be stored in fat for use at a later date. It processes fats and protein from foods that are digested and makes it accessible for transport through the bloodstream, which also contains proteins used to create beneficial clotting (such as for cuts and scratches ).
- The liver also produces bile that further enhances the digestive process and waste products are taken away.
- The liver is also an area of storage for vitamins like B, A, K and D to use as needed.
- It’s the significant manufacturer of cholesterol and triglycerides that are essential for all then cells of the body. Most cholesterol we get is from consuming animal fats but when we don’t receive dietary cholesterolour liver makes it and then distributes it to the blood for transport throughout the body.
- The liver also produces immune factors for the body that help in removing bacteria from the blood, improving our resistance to infections.
Symptoms of a sluggish liver
- chronic fatigue
- jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- frequent headaches
- sleep disorders, nightmares
- dizziness
- hot flashes
- hormonal imbalances
- bloating of the stomach
- smelly diarrhea
- chronic constipation
- Infection
- skin problems
- poor eye sight
There are various reasons a liver can become over burdened. We are living in a world now where toxins are everywhere. There are literally hundreds of approved substances, pesticides, fungicides, preservatives, MSG and genetically modified foods. Processed food is so widespread in daily diet that there’s simply no wonder why we have such an obesity issue.
We’re also bombarded with petro chemicals each and every time a car, bus or truck, passes by us. Living in almost any town makes it impossible to break free from inhalation of these toxins.
Then there’s industrial smoke which plumes out on a daily basis. Anyone living near one of those big stacks will inform you that when the wind blows in their leadership, the smell is definitely current.
Our water resources are also cause for some of the toxins our bodies consume with chlorine and in certain places, fluoride. In some countries, they need to manage toxins reaching underground water (the aquifer) from substances used on golf courses etc… It might look pretty but the ecological effects are extremely evident.
The point is we are living in a toxic environment and unless you’re eating organic and reside in the wilderness far away from mainstream life, you may benefit from regular detoxing, particularly the hardworking liver.
Some things you can do to
- Reduce stress in your environment
- Start your day with lemon juice in warm water, then eat fruit and drink non sugary juices.
- Make sure that you eat veggies and salads at lunch.
- Drink Plenty of water throughout the day. You may even get some of your water consumption through herbal teas. They have valuable anti-oxidants and based on what type you get, some have calming properties, detox properties etc..
- Get enough fiber in your diet. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of fiber.
- Get at least 15 minutes of sun every day.
- Get yourself more exposure to negative ions. These exist in nature, in woods, in the beach, and in the nation. In short, get out of town whenever you can. If you can’t get from the city, think about getting an ion generator of some sort. Negative ion therapy is terrific for helping you detox and hydrates the body, plus negative ions gives you that sense of wellbeing.
