As the year draws to an end your social calendar is jam packed with functions.
Often we overindulge at this time of year and our body needs a bit of TLC to help us keep on trucking along.
Let's start with our liver, the second largest organ in our body. Our liver's main job is to filter the blood from the digestive system before passing it to the rest of the body. Think of the liver cells as an army of workers to cleanse our body of threatening "liver loaders" which include alcohol, fried foods, refined carbohydrates, caffeine, sugar and synthetic substances such as pesticides.
Signs your liver needs support:
Bloating easily
Cellulite
Daily long-term caffeine consumption
Drinking alcohol daily
‘Floaters’ in your vision
Liver Roll (increased roll of fat high under the bra of women, under the pectorals of men)
Not hungry for breakfast when you first get up in the morning
Overheating easily
Prefer to start your day with coffee
Sleep which is worse on an evening you consume alcohol
Tender point in the centre of your torso
Very short fuse or temper
Waking up around 2.00am
Waking hot in the night
How can you support your liver?
Drink adequate amounts of water (you should aim for 30ml per kg of body weight)
Increase your green leafy vegetables, they are high in B vitamins which help with detoxification as well as helping your energy levels.
Increase consumption of sulfur based foods such as eggs, garlic, onion, broccoli, spinach and kale as these are great at helping your liver detoxify.
Zinc rich foods help liver function; these include shellfish, red meat, nuts and seeds, spinach, cocoa and mushrooms.
Fresh herbs such rosemary, dill, parsley, fennel and spice turmeric for their powerful antioxidant content.
Minimise alcohol, drink water between alcoholic drinks or only drink on the weekends.
Minimise refined sugar and too much fruit.
Try and keep coffee to one per day or replace with green or white tea.
Include a green smoothie each morning to maximise nutrient intake and to stimulate the liver to release toxins.
Increase high fibre foods.
Snack on nuts and seeds.
Include an essential fatty acid supplement. A good quality fish oil, flaxseed or krill oil for reducing bad cholesterol.
Looking after your gut health by eating pro-biotics and limiting the liver loaders will help break down food and bacteria before they reach your liver.
Consider a liver supporting supplement such as L-Glutathione, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Milk Thistle, N-acetyl-cysteine, Berberis or Cucumis melo extract.
Our highly trained team can help you with the right one for your needs.