Your Liver is one of the key organs that need support when healing autoimmune disease and I often see many of my clients suffering with symptoms that relate back to the liver and sub-optimal function.
The health of our gut microbiome often gets the most attention and focus, but the liver is very closely linked with the gut and one can not function optimally without the other.
The Liver is a large, complex, hard-working, multi-tasking super organ. It's the primary organ of detoxification, which many of us know and it is constantly dealing with the toxins found in what we eat, breathe and absorb through the skin. But It also serves the body with over 500 other functions, so it makes sense to consider the liver in chronic illness particularly with symptoms relating to the immune, nervous, cardiovascular and endocrine system.
Some of its vital roles include:
Supporting the digestion of your food through bile production and excretion
Detoxification of drugs and toxins
Manufacturing, breaking down and regulating numerous hormones
Helps fight infections
Stores nutrients and controls nutrients in the blood
Energy production and conversion of thyroid hormone
Vitamin D conversion
Making enzymes and proteins
Assisting with metabolism and blood sugar balance
Cholesterol metabolism and management
As you can see liver issues are linked to hormone imbalances, food allergies, chemical sensitivities, acne, obesity, high cholesterol, frequent infections, fatigue, depression and blood sugar problems - many commonly seen in autoimmunity.
The Liver doesn't have any pain receptors, so it may function without any awareness of serious problems until its tolerance is reached with disease then occurring quickly. But it does have a great adaptive capacity and the ability to spring clean itself with the right nutrients and lifestyle.
Do you ever experience any of the following?
Feeling sluggish, fatigued and tired constantly
White or yellow coated tongue / bad breath
Weight gain - especially your abdomen
Cravings and blood sugar issues / hypoglyceamia
Headaches
Excessive thirst
Poor digestion
Overall sense of bloating
IBS symptoms
Hormone imbalance & PMS
Nausea or intolerance after fatty meals
Intolerance to strong smells
Pain in the right side of your stomach
Skin breakouts; acne, rashes
Gallbladder issues / gallstones
High cholesterol and triglycerides
Depression, anger, judgement and low mood
Excess lactic acid - burning in joints
Swollen glands in throat
Loss of lean body mass
Increased menstrual flow
Easy bruising
Broken capillaries under the skin
Constipation
Itchy eyes
Green hue around the mouth
Pins and needles
Double farrow between eyebrows
Skin - oily nose and forehead, dry elsewhere
Dull eyes - should be bright white
Lack of appetite leads to anaemia and weight loss
Lack of pigmentation of the stool
Night sweats
Less active vitamin D
A long but not an exhaustive list. So what can you do?
According to Chinese medicine, Spring is when your liver does its best cleansing and that's why I offer my two week detox programme in March. But you can of course support detoxification and your liver health everyday and all year round with some of the following good practices:
Including lean, organic and good quality protein in your diet
Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables particularly leafy greens
Including herbs and spices such as ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and parsley
Including bitters such as dandelion, artichoke, rocket and watercress
Including beets and berries
Include Green tea and warm lemon peel water
Reduce burdens on the liver such as alcohol, caffeine, sugar and trans fats etc
Try veggie juices such as celery, apple, carrot, beet and ginger
Are you fed up of feeling sluggish? Do you want to banish the bloat and feel energised without having to put up with dull skin and PMS? I can help you get your liver back into balance and get to the root cause of your digestive issues so you can live with vitality again. You can book your FREE call here to discuss your symptoms and how you can move forward with nutrition and lifestyle changes.