Why is your Liver so important?
The liver is one of the hardest working organs in your body, responsible for over 500 functions, including essential roles in your metabolism, your immune system, your digestive system and your detoxification system. The liver filters every single quart of blood you have meaning that it is working all day and all night to protect your body from the damage that toxins can do to you.
Signs that the body is in need of a detox
Unexplained fatigue
Sluggish elimination
Irritated skin
Allergies
Low-grade infection
Puffy eyes or bags under the eyes
Bloating
Menstrual problems
Mental confusion
What Are Toxins Exactly?
Toxins are substances that can cause harm to the body tissues. These are things like heavy metals, free radicals and metabolic end products. They can enter your body through food, air and water, as well as being produced within your body through chemical processes. In order to protect you from toxicity and cellular damage, the liver works in two phases to help clean your blood of toxins.
Digestion
When the liver can’t keep up with the detoxification it has to dump the toxins into bile. This is stored in the gallbladder and every time it enters the instant it causes irritation and disrupts fat metabolism. This can cause spasms in your digestive tract (mouth to anus). Can result in acid reflux, belching, nausea even vomiting. Toxic bile weakens the upper intestines allowing bacteria such as H Pylori to proliferate. This can then cause gastritis and ulceration.
Portal Vein
2 sets of valves controlling blood into and out of the liver. The trouble arises when there are more toxins coming into your liver than the detoxification enzymes can deal with. It can lead to:
1. Bloating
2. Digestive complaints such as Crohns, colitis, IBS, ulcers, gastritis, diverticulitis and haemorrhoids.
3. Gall Stones.
Brain
When the liver does not work efficiently it can reduce the flow of oxygen and sugar to the brain which can result in ‘fuzzy thinking’.
Toxins can cause irritation to the heart and brain causing bad dreams, nightmares, restless sleep, early awakening and fatigue on waking.
Inadequate detoxification can contribute to learning disorders, behavioural problems, Alzheimers and autism.
Drinking alcohol can result in less tryptophan being avail to your brain to made into serotonin.
Immune system
Closing down of the outlet valves result in toxins, food bits, proteins etc going into the lymph and then the immune system kicks in. Also the back pressure puts pressure on the membranes of your intestines which leaves it simmering in their own toxins. This results in leaky gut which further stimulates the immune system.
The result is inflammation, allergy, intolerance or even fatty plaque deposits.
Kidneys
When liver gets overloaded some of the toxins spill over into your blood which then get dumped in the kidneys. They then usually dump the toxins in your urinary tract or out through the skin.
Water infections
Skin irritation
Hormones
When your liver enzymes become jammed up with toxins, the hormones can’t be broken down efficiently, which can result in lethargy.
Heart
Oxygen is crucial for a healthy heart.
70% of the blood supply to your heart can be blocked when your livers not working well.
HOW DO YOU START A DETOX?
First, lighten up your toxin load. Eliminate alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, refined sugars, and saturated fats, all of which act as toxins in the body and are obstacles to your healing process. Also, minimise use of chemical-based household cleaners and personal health care products (cleansers, shampoos, deodorants, and toothpastes), and substitute natural alternatives.
Eat plenty of fibre, including brown rice and organically grown fresh fruits and vegetables, beets, radishes, artichokes, cabbage, broccoli, spirulina, chlorella, and seaweed are excellent detoxifying foods.
Empty your bowels daily
Cleanse and protect the liver by taking herbs such as dandelion root, burdock, and milk thistle, and drinking green tea.
Take vitamin C, which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins.
Drink at least two litres of water a day
Breathe deeply to allow oxygen to circulate more completely through your system.
Reduce stress where possible.
Practice hydrotherapy by taking a very hot shower for five minutes, allowing the water to run on your back. Follow with cold water for 30 seconds. Do this three times, and then get into bed for 30 minutes.
Sweat in a sauna so your body can eliminate waste through perspiration.
