Is Your Liver Trying to Tell You Something?
If your liver could talk what would it be telling you? The good news is that it does have it owns voice and it may be telling you just what it needs to perform all the vital functions it does on a continuous basis. Read on to find out what your liver might be saying to you!
Your liver – it’s more than a filter!
How often do you think about your liver? I would bet most of us don’t at all until there is a problem with it, but your liver is such an important part of the puzzle to your overall health. Let’s take some time to learn more about this amazing organ we all have!
- You cannot live without your liver. It is IMPOSSIBLE to survive without it and all this vital functions it performs.
- It is the largest organ inside the body and is located mostly on your right side directly under your ribcage. It sits on top of the stomach, and your gallbladder is tucked underneath it.
- Your liver is the most complicated organ in your body and has SO MANY bodily functions it performs that are required for living. Are you ready for just a few of them? Here we go! It is responsible for filtering all of your blood through your body. It’s part of our digestive tract as it breaks down nutrients and proteins into component parts that are processed after they leave the small intestines. It manufactures cholesterol and is responsible for the clotting proteins in the body. The liver stores iron in the body, maintains hormonal balance, and immune system function. It produces bile which turns fat into water-soluble fat so our body can accept it. Most commonly known, the liver is responsible for filtering toxins and also converts stored glycogen into glucose to fuel our muscles! That is one hard working organ, right?!?
Listen To Your Liver – First Warning Signs That You Might Have Liver Dysfunction!
Because our liver is working so hard for us, we need to make sure to take care of it and be mindful of when it might be in trouble. Below are some early warning signs that your liver might not be too healthy:
- Chronic nausea and stomach pain. If you are having stomach pain and nausea for longer than 7-14 days, you should see your doctor.
- Chronic fatigue and/or overall weakness, lasting more than a couple of weeks.
- Lack of appetite or sudden weight loss. I know for some people weight loss sounds great, but sudden weight loss and lack of appetite are very dangerous can be a sign of a lack of bile production.
- Digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, discolored stool, lack of elimination, and excessive bloating.
- Jaundice, when the skin, fingers, eyes, and tongue turn a yellow shade. Jaundice is the presence of too much bilirubin in the body.
- Fluid retention, especially around the feet and ankles.
- Skin issues such as an Increase itching and bruising, especially on the softer parts of your body like the stomach, back of the legs, and buttocks. Also, If you have excessive acne, scarring, or you don’t heal properly from a cut or have excessive bleeding, this could be a sign as well of an unhealthy liver.
- Abdominal pain with bloating, especially on the upper right side.
Answering the Call When Your Liver is Asking for Help!
So I know I’ve been sharing some somewhat scary and intense information with you today, but the good news is there is a lot you an do to support your liver and help it be the healthiest possible, no matter what shape it’s in right now. Look at the tips below and start incorporating them into your everyday life, your liver will be happier and so will you!
- Exercise triggers the liver to turn glycogen into glucose and supply the muscles with energy. The liver was created to do this, so use it or lose it!
- Eat right. Get rid of fake, processed foods and eat real, whole foods from the earth. Eliminate as many foods that come in a package, jar, box, or pouch as possible.
- Juice some vegetables. It is better to juice vegetables over fruit because fruits have too many sugars in them, but vegetables are great! Some good vegetables to help your juice taste a little sweeter if you need it are beets or carrots. Cruciferous vegetables are especially good for you to juice like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and brussel sprouts. Make sure you continue eating plenty of vegetables in your regular diet in addition to the juice!
- Eat more potassium-rich foods. Sweet potatoes, bananas, beans (especially red colored ones), blackstrap molasses, tomato sauces, beets, and tomato sauces are all full of potassium.
- Help the body eliminate with an enema; this helps with chronic inflammation and flushing toxins out of the body. Make sure it’s a plain water enema and nothing that will stimulate the colon.
- Anti-inflammatory supplements Items such as milk thistle, turmeric, and dandelion are great herbs and spices to support the liver. Make sure you are also drinking plenty of water as well with these.
- Stay away from alcohol. I know you know this, but I had to add it to the list. Alcohol is so dangerous for your liver, so if you already are having liver problems, ditch the drinks! It’s not healthy at all so please drink smart if you are partaking in alcohol.
- Eat some liver. Make sure it’s good quality like grass-fed beef or pasteurized chicken livers. There are also liver supplements if you just can’t handle eating liver…I can’t!
Your liver is quietly working hard for you, day after day, without much recognition. Isn’t it time you support it and give it what it needs to be healthy and to keep functioning well for years to come? If you start following these tips and start taking care of your body, your body will take care of you!
copy by Marci West
