The Liver: the Body’s Biochemical Mastermind
We just don’t think that much about our livers and the job they do for us every minute; it is the largest and most complex organ in the body. It stores nutrition but, at the same time, it is a detoxification center and part of the immune system response.
How often do you change the oil in your car? How often do you change the filter in your liver? Never! Imagine, the blood is purified in the liver and pops out the other end all clean and pure, full of nutrients and life- giving oxygen. When the liver gets stagnant because it is full of preservatives, poisons, nitrates, and other chemicals, the body is affected at the cellular level. Signs you might need to cleanse your liver:
Common symptoms (yes, there are many) due to poor liver function:
- Abdominal bloating and swelling
- Allergies (especially sudden or later in life onset)
- Anxiety, frustration, inability to function harmoniously with those around you
- Asthma
- Bad breath in the morning and tongue is coated
- Cellulite
- Chemical and environmental sensitivities
- Chronic fatigue
- Colds and flues (the liver is responsible for immune function)
- Concentration and memory problems
- Constipation
- Depression
- Difficulty losing weight
- Digestive problems
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness after eating
- Elevated cholesterol
- Fatigue
- Feeling tired after eating
- Flatulence
- Foggy brain
- Gall stones
- Gallbladder disease
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Hives, rashes
- Hormonal imbalances
- Hyperglycemia (low blood sugar), also indicates a yeast or Candida problem
- If the liver must work harder than normal you will experience an increase in body
- Immune system dysfunction or disorders
- Inability to handle fats without feeling nauseated or belching
- Indigestion
- Irritability
- Irritable bowel syndrome (where the bowel actions are irregular varying from diarrhea to constipation during a 24-hour period)
- Jaundice
- Kidney stones
- Lack of harmonious flow of vital energies in your body—one minute you’re bouncing off the walls, the next you’re depressed and lethargic
- Mood swings-especially involving depression and anger
- Nausea (esp. after eating fatty foods)
- Night sweats (not hot flashes, night sweats)
- Obesity
- PMS as well as excessive menstrual flow containing many clots of blood
- Poor concentration and memory
- Poor digestion
- Rapid pulse
- Weak tendons, ligaments, and muscles
- Weight gain especially around the abdomen
*Taken from a flyer by Dana Young
The mucus membranes of digestion are your immune system’s primary line of defense. The liver makes lipoproteins (cholesterol) to transport fats through the body. The liver is critical in maintaining blood sugar levels as well.
- LDL takes fat to the tissues
- HDL brings fats back to the liver
LIVER QUIZ
1) How often do you drink alcoholic beverages?
Daily (15 points)
A few times each week (10 points)
A few times each month (5 points)
Rarely or never (0 points)
2) Do you work around chemicals of any kind? (Examples: beauty parlor, dry cleaning, carpet cleaning, house painting, pest control or chemical lawn maintenance, auto repair shop, etc.)
Yes (15 points)
No (0 points)
3) How do you feel when you wake up in the morning?
Refreshed and invigorated (0 points)
Sluggish, groggy or irritable (10 points)
4) Do you have swelling, pain or tenderness under your right rib cage?
Yes (10 points)
No (0 points
5) Do you have PMS problems (women) or prostate problems (men)?
Yes (5 points)
No (0 points)
6) Are you easily angered or irritated?
Yes (10 points)
No (0 points)
7) Do you frequently feel tired, depressed or sluggish?
Yes (5 points)
No (0 points)
8) Do you have skin problems such as acne, eczema or rashes?
Yes (10 points)
No (0 points)
9) How often do you get headaches or migraines?
Frequently (10 points)
Occasionally (5 points)
Rarely or never (0 points)
10) Do you crave sweets or have problems with hypoglycemia or diabetes?
Yes (10 points)
No (0 points)
SCORING YOUR LIVER QUIZ
- 60+ You definitely need to nutritionally support your liver. You should also reduce your exposure to chemicals (food additives, pesticides, etc.)
- 30-60 Supporting your liver may help to improve your overall health
- 29 or less Supporting your liver is not a high priority for your health program.
If your liver needs support, and whose doesn’t, consider making some dietary and supplement changes:
Foods for the liver: Organic beets, carrots, green leafy vegetables, cherries, lemon water, rose hips, gogi berries, free range beef and chicken,
Herbs for the liver: Yellow Dock, Dandelion, Blessed Thistle, Milk Thistle, Burdock, Oregon Grape, Barberry, Turmeric, Pau-d’arco, Cascara Sagrada.
Major Symptoms of Congested Liver:
Insomnia or staying up too late
Stuffiness and dull pain under the right rib cage
Irritability and frustration
Lack of Harmony
Unexplained (stored) ANGER
Consider the Liver/Gallbladder Flush. There are many versions of this flush, but most people agree that it is a combination of olive oil and citrus juice and that it should be repeated for 3 days.
- Fast on raw apple juice or eat mainly/only organic apples for 24-72 hours
- Take magnesium (or Epsom salts) and Gall Bladder Formula (Natures Sunshine or other similar)
- Prior to bed drink 1/2 cup olive oil mixed with 1/2 cup grapefruit or lemon juice (fresh)
- Lay on right side before going to sleep
- If bowels don’t move in the morning, take an enema.
Liver Cleanse tea:
½ fresh squeezed lemon
1 drop peppermint essential oils (releases toxins stored in the liver)
1 drop lemon essential oil (helps stimulate bile salts to help break down your proteins)
1 Cup water
Optional: 1 T. EV Coconut Oil
Put oil into lemon juice, then add hot (not boiling) water and drink. Again, wait 20 minutes before eating anything else. You can add a touch of sweetener in the form of Stevia or honey if desired.
Do your liver a favor and take good care of it!