Nutritional Therapist, Kristina Carman, shares the foods and supplements to help you love your liver!
The liver is the largest organ in the body. It’s also the organ responsible for detoxification: flushing out the various toxins we encounter in your diet, lifestyle, and environment.
Every one of your body systems is dependent on the liver for cleaning the blood of impurities. These impurities can include environmental toxins, additives in food, or medications.
The liver has to deal with a truckload of other toxins, too: processed food, drugs, (pharmaceutical or otherwise), and pollution. Even too much exercise and sunlight cause the body to produce free radicals, which can damage your liver.
Signs of an overloaded liver include fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, skin problems, hormonal issues and weakened immune function.
Of course, it’s difficult to live a completely toxin-free life. That’s why a supporting your liver is so important. Here are some of the top herbal and mineral supplement support that will help you to love your liver.
- MILK THISTLE
Milk thistle is one the most popular liver supplements for treating and repairing the liver thanks to its amazing seeds, which contain a flavonoid called silymarin.
Silymarin is an important antioxidant and protects the liver by optimising liver function and detoxification.
It also repairs damage to the liver cells caused by disease, alcohol, and drugs..
One of the most important functions of milk thistle is its ability to increase your body’s production of glutathione, the “mother of all antioxidants”. The highest concentration of glutathione is in the liver.
2. ARTICHOKE LEAF
Commonly eaten throughout North America, Europe and the Mediterranean, artichoke leaf is now known as an important remedy for liver support.
It contains cynarin, which has been found to increase the production of bile in the liver. This makes detoxification processes in the body more efficient, helping various organs to clear out harmful toxins such as alcohol and other chemicals.
3. TURMERIC ROOT
A well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, the polyphenols in turmeric root are also shown to be beneficial in reducing the risk of fatty liver disease caused by stress.
4. DANDELION ROOT
Dandelion root aids liver function by improving the body’s ability to remove toxins while also boosting the production of bile.
Researchers found that the high concentration of antioxidants in dandelion root can protect liver cells, as well as warding off free radicals that can harm the cells.
5. YELLOW DOCK ROOT
An amazing herb for detoxification, yellow dock root helps to cleanse the liver and lymphatic system of toxins.
Research suggests that it helps to stimulate the action of the lymphatic system throughout the body, increasing the rate at which harmful pollutants are flushed out.
As an important source of anthraquinones, yellow dock is also useful for regulating bowel movements and preventing constipation. In this way, yellow dock root is great for people who have a sluggish digestive system as it helps to stimulate the bowels and speed bowel transit time.
6. BEETROOT
A root vegetable known for its bright purple colour and exceptional nutritional content, beetroot is not only an excellent source of fibre but also folic acid, manganese, and potassium so therefore a great choice to help you love your liver.
Beetroot is grown around the world and is now used in many liver supplements as a nutritive tonic and detoxifier.
For the liver, the high fibre content of beetroot is an important part of the detoxification process as it helps to move waste through the digestive tract.
One of the fibres in beetroot is pectin, which is considered to stimulate the cleansing action of the liver and assist in the removal of toxins.
Beetroot juice is also used as a treatment for a range of chronic illnesses associated with oxidative stress and inflammation.
7. GINGER
Known all over the world for its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger is vital to liver health.
Ginger’s therapeutic constituents such as gingerol and shogaol have been found to inhibit pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body such as prostaglandins and cytokines.
8. CHOLINE
A macronutrient present in the form of phosphatidylcholine, choline is a compound that makes up the structural component of fat.
Choline is particularly important for liver health as it is required for the proper transportation of fat from the liver to cells throughout the body.
Another of the major benefits of choline is its role in keeping the liver free from harmful toxic buildups.
9. MOLYBDENUM
Molybdenum is an essential nutrient that acts as a catalyst for enzymes while also facilitating the breakdown of certain amino acids in the body.
There are several human enzymes that require molybdenum, including sulphite oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and xanthine oxidase. Among other things, these enzymes help to break down and metabolise toxins.
10. SELENIUM
An important trace mineral found naturally in the soil and in some foods, selenium has numerous health benefits.
It’s required for the body to form both glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase. These two enzymes are both needed to indirectly reduce certain oxidised molecules.
Because oxidation is linked to liver damage, antioxidants such as selenium are vital for preserving liver tissue.
THE BOTTOM LINE
How is your liver health? In our modern lives, we face exposure to toxins in the air, our food, the medicines we take, and much more.
By using herbal supplements and trace minerals like the ones listed above, along with a healthy whole food mostly plant (focused) diet, you can give your liver the raw materials it needs to process those toxins.
If you’d like to contact Kristina Carman to discuss how to love your liver or for any other nutritional needs. please email kristina.carman@tinyfishco.com
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