Struggling with digestion of rich meals and fats? Irritable? Chronically fatigued? Oily-looking bowel movements? Undesirable cholesterol levels? Skin issues? Allergies? Sensitive to medications, supplements, fragrances and/or fumes?
These are just some of the signs that your liver needs some love.
The liver is a detoxification powerhouse and the body’s filter – constantly in action! It plays the vital role of neutralizing and preparing for the elimination of chemicals from the body that can pose toxic harm.
Performing 500+ functions, the liver facilitates digestion and metabolism, producing and breaking down hormones, storing energy (glucose as glycogen), detoxifying the blood, producing bile (to support fat digestion/absorption of fat-soluble vitamins) and storage of essential vitamins/minerals.
Ongoing, chronic exposures to inflammatory triggers impairs liver function. Xenobiotics (foreign, chemical substances) are significant triggers. These include additives/preservatives, artificial colourings/flavourings, pesticides/herbicides, molds/mycotoxins, heavy metals, drugs/pharmaceuticals, tobacco smoke, alcohol, industrial chemicals, plastics and pollution.
Research doesn’t yet exist to illustrate exposure levels and long-term effects of toxicity of xenobiotics on liver health. Chronic toxic exposures, coupled with poor liver filtration, leave us more vulnerable to injury of liver tissue and ineffective repair.
Furthermore, a sluggish, overwhelmed liver can both trigger/exacerbate allergies, given the liver is inefficiently detoxifying environmental toxins and excess histamines. Allergens can accumulate, overstimulating the Immune System, increasing inflammation and potential histamine intolerance, and worsening reactions.
Oxidative stress results when there are insufficient antioxidant nutrients to counter unstable free radical molecules (reactive oxygen species). Chronic toxic exposures = free radical activity! Oxidative stress reduces antioxidant enzyme activity, and unrepaired cellular and tissue damage can result.
In Phase 1 of liver detoxification, liver enzymes neutralize substances by transforming them into less toxic versions. In Phase 2, the liver works to prevent Phase 1 byproducts from building up! Enzymes finish neutralizing byproducts by creating water-soluble forms that can then be eliminated – largely through the kidneys (via urine) and bowels (via poops)!
Beyond the kidneys and bowels, our skin (sweating), lungs (deep breathing), and lymphatic drainage techniques (massage, dry brushing) round out our detoxification pathways. Therefore, our varied daily habits and routines matter!
An anti-inflammatory, whole-food-based diet makes a significant impact on liver health.
Assess your overall food choices and read ingredient labels. Becoming more connected to what’s in your food and where it comes from is invaluable!
Water
Fiber
Protein
Fats/Oils, Sugar & Sodium
Sufficient antioxidant fuel means we can maintain a stronger sense of equilibrium metabolically, including diminishing oxidative stress.
Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant. Found in our tissues, it combats free radical activity, supports detoxification and recycles antioxidant nutrients vitamin C and E. With chronic oxidative stressors, poor nutritional status and high environmental toxin load, glutathione levels can plummet!
Consider the following nutrients, including how strategic natural supplementation could close nutritional gaps!
*Please do your due diligence in researching which forms of natural supplementation may be supportive of your personal medical history/current health journey, approaching with strategy and care.
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Selenium
Zinc
Quercetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
B Complex Vitamins
Dandelion Root
Milk Thistle
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
Apple Pectin
Cordyceps Mushroom Powder
Chlorella
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Probiotics
The first step with more efficient/effective daily detoxification and elimination is reducing the load the liver bears to begin with. Assess your most frequent/common exposures, read ingredient labels, and sustainably introduce more health-promoting swaps to start taming inflammatory fire.
About the Author
Jessica Ferguson (Pecush) is a Natural Nutrition Clinical Practitioner based in Calgary, Alberta.
Her 2-decade journey with autoimmune disorder Ulcerative Colitis ultimately led her into the world of Holistic Nutrition with a deep-dive focus on gut health and autoimmunity, given ALL symptoms and disorders in the body stem from the health and functioning of the gut!
Through her (online-based) private practice (Jessica Pecush Nutrition), Jessica supports others with redefining their future health trajectory. Her therapeutic, anti-inflammatory approach encompasses a personalized whole foods-based diet, high-impact natural supplementation, calming lifestyle/stress management practices, restorative sleep strategies and of course, a growth mindset!
Jessica deeply empowers you with a sustainable, root cause-supportive approach for long-term vitality, rather than band-aid solutions that just temporarily mask symptoms.
