With a happy and efficient liver, you burn body fat more effectively, sleep more soundly, and have clear and vibrant skin.
But we may not always recognise the signs our body is giving us as the symptoms of an unhappy liver.
Here are some ways your body might try to tell you that your liver needs some additional support:
- Liver roll
A roll of body fat underneath the bra-line or just under the pecs in men. You notice it particularly when you sit down. - Fluid retention
When there are too many problematic substances to deal with, the body has a tendency to hold on to fluid to dilute the potential impact of the toxins. If you notice that you retain fluid or feel puffy and swollen on a regular basis, this may be a sign that the liver needs additional support. - You struggle with PMS
Your liver doesn’t just transform substances you consume, it also processes substances your body creates — including estrogen. PMS can indicate an imbalance in your sex hormone levels during your cycle which is often the result of a liver that is under the pump. - You frequently wake between 1-3am or you wake up hot
If your liver is particularly overloaded with substances to detoxify (change), you may find yourself frequently waking up around this time. Or you might wake up and regularly feel hot in the night. - You aren’t moving your bowels daily
Digestion, elimination and the liver go hand-in-hand. The liver produces bile to prepare certain substances for detoxification and this can be compromised in myriad situations. Bile is also essential for proper digestion and helps to keep the bowels regular.
Whether these symptoms are familiar to you or not, most people today could benefit from providing their precious liver with additional support. Problematic substances can enter the body via what we eat, drink, breathe and put on our skin and today we are exposed to more harmful substances on a regular basis than our grandparents ever were — just think how many more cars are now on the road, as one example.
If you identified with any of the above signs or would like to take a proactive approach to support your liver, try introducing more brassica type vegetables into your diet — broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussel sprouts — and decreasing the amount of processed foods and alcohol you consume.
