Liver Health & Support

The liver is an almighty organ that assists with our energy, vitality and hormonal levels. It also assists the clarity of your skin and eyes. It works with the gall bladder to excrete fatty substances that the body no longer needs, including hormones, pesticides and stored body fat. 

 Not looking after your liver can slowly kill the cells within that are responsible for its detoxing power. The dead cells are replaced with a globule of fat, and over time they can take over leading to “fatty liver”. This has repercussions for overall health, and can lead to poor thyroid function, sex hormone imbalances, acne, poor cholesterol and impaired blood glucose management. 

Fatty liver used to be seen in individuals who over-consumed alcohol. It is now being seen in teenagers who consume large amounts of processed food and drink. Unfortunately this is so common now it has been named “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease”. Consider a liver that’s been chronically abused by alcohol consumption, but processed food has caused it. 

So, what foods put extra strain on our livers? Lets call these liver loaders.

·      Alcohol

·      Caffeine

·      Trans fat

·      Refined sugars

·      Synthetic substances such as pesticides, medications, skin care products

·      Infections for eg. The viral infection glandular fever

Is there anything internally that puts strain on our livers too?

The purpose of our liver is not just to deal with external liver loaders, it’s also to help transform internal products before they’re excreted. Some substances that need transformation include 

·      Cholesterol

·      Steroid hormones (sex hormones such as oestrogen)

·      Untreated food sensitivities

·      Undiagnosed coeliac disease

What symptoms should I look out for that might signify my liver needs support?

·      A liver roll (right under the bra line for ladies, or under the pecs for men)

·      Easy to anger

·      Feeling impatient

·      Pre-menstrual Syndrome

·      Congested skin/acne outbreaks especially in relation to the menstrual cycle

·      Floaters in your vision (can also be considered iron deficiency)

·      Waking between 1 and 3am of the night

·      Poor sleep in the evening after you consumed alcohol

·      A preference for coffee, not food to start your day

·      Flank/side of your body pain/achiness

·      High levels of stress constantly

·     Weight that doesn’t budge or change no matter what diet and lifestyle

factors you implement

·      Clots in menstrual blood

The Chinese Clock showing the flow of qi through the organs and meridians. Each organ time is when the flow of qi is at its peak in the organ/channel. Photo Credit: Five Seasons Medicine

Ways to support your Liver

Be honest with yourself about those liver loaders in your life. Consuming alcohol in the evenings, coffee to help cope the next morning and then sugar cravings mid-afternoon is not an ideal cycle. At the same time, don’t feel guilty if you do indulge in these things occasionally. Remember, it’s those habits that you do everyday that impact your health more than those you do occasionally. 

 Focus on taking good care of yourself, and nourishing yourself with real food (actual vegetables, fruit, and meals you’ve cooked “from scratch”). Ensure you’re drinking enough water daily, aim for 2L. A glass of warm water with some lemon or lime in it is a great way to support your liver and your overall digestive health. I like doing this of a morning when I first wake.

Acupressure applied to the point LR3 can support liver health and digestive function. It also helps regulate the smooth flow of qi in the body which has a cascade of positive effects.

Acupuncture Point Location for LIV-3.: in the hollow distal to the junction of the first and second metatarsal bones. Picture Source: Deadman, P., 2007.

Overall, the liver contributes significantly to the metabolism of countless substances that contribute to healthy fat distribution, whether to burn fat or store it, and aids in disease prevention. If you eat well and move regularly, and nothing seems to change with your body shape or size it might be worthwhile supporting your liver more. Do this with dietary and lifestyle changes, and if that is not enough it might be time to seek professional support. 

Remember, you only get one liver. It’s worth supporting it. 

References:

Libby, D., 2016. Dr. Libby's Women's Wellness Wisdom. Little Green Frog Publishing Ltd.

Deadman, P., 2007. A Manual Of Acupuncture. Journal Of Chinese Medicine Publications.