As the holiday season draws to a close, you may be feeling more relaxed; but your liver may be struggling from indulgences. This amazing but often abused organ spends all its time processing food chemicals, helping ensure your bloodstream’s sugar and fat balance is correct, and breaking down worn out blood cells.
There are many physical signs of a struggling liver. Take a look at your tongue: A yellowy creamy coat, or a ‘scalloping’ pattern around the edges can be signs of a struggling liver. Feeling ‘seedy’, dark circles under your eyes and dull skin can also be signs your liver needs some TLC.
There are two phases in your liver processing: The small, aggressive molecules of caffeine and alcohol push their way to the front of the queue, demanding immediate attention. If your liver has the right amount of processing enzymes on hand, these can be sorted out quickly. If not (if you’ve been over-indulging), the molecules are despatched for another trip around your body, in the hope that by the time they return, your liver has caught up and is ready for them. It’s this processing backlog that gives you a ‘liverish’ feeling.
In phase II all the processing is completed. Toxins are dissolved in bile for disposal with your next meal. There can be another backlog here, if there is a shortage of enzymes. Your liver can produce as many enzymes as it needs, providing the raw materials (vitamins & minerals) are on hand. But if your diet is low in fresh foods, you’re probably low on vitamins and minerals.
If your relationship with your liver has become less than ideal, you can help mend it. Here’s how:
- The bile, with all those toxins included, is soaked up by soluble fibre for removal in faeces. If there isn’t enough fibre in your diet, the bile and toxins are simply re-absorbed and returned to your liver for another round of processing. This increases the load on your liver, and you can begin to feel like you’re, well, ‘toxic’.
- High nutrient foods like fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, legumes, nuts and high quality protein contain the vitamins and minerals your liver needs to process food. Another reason to make a large raw salad part of your day.
- Fresh vegetable juice can provide a vitamin & mineral ‘boost’, ideal for those who have been over-indulging.
- A ‘detox’ can easily be achieved through a week without coffee, alcohol, or any food additives, and plenty of fibre. That means a diet of fresh food, high quality protein, and lots of water. Minimise your intake of grains, dairy and sugar.
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