Your liver, the largest and most influential organ (and gland) in the body.
Most of us know that too much Pinot Grigio/favourite tipple does it no favours but what does the liver actually do?
Also known as the chemical brain of the body it recycles, regenerates and detoxifies. Here are just a few of its 500 + functions!
- Removes waste and cleans the blood
- Metabolises fat
- Blood sugar regulation
- Controls hormone balance
- Supports digestion
- Stores iron and vitamins
- Cholesterol production
To do all these jobs properly the liver needs good quality nutrition.
Unfortunately with many of todays’ poor food choices such as sugar, alcohol, bad fats and processed foods our poor old liver fights an uphill battle.
Symptoms of a sluggish liver may include:
- Stored fat around waistline/weight gain
- Sleep problems
- Headaches
- Stress/poor memory/brain fog
- Depression
- PMT
Do yourself a favour, a clean liver promotes improved sleep, energy levels and hormone balance.
One of the simplest ways of supporting a cleansing process in the body is to drink a cup of hot water with half a lemon juice squeezed into it first thing in the morning.
Support your liver by eating good quality protein, lots of green veggies, essential fatty acids and vitamins and minerals.
However don’t be tempted to do some of the popular “detox” diets regularly seen in the media that feature calorie restriction. Usually because of the restrictions you will be missing out on the very nutrients your liver needs.
