Do you feel a bit sluggish? Are you more irritable then usual? Maybe you sometimes feel nauseous or suffer from allergies like hayfever. These could be symptoms of a “sluggish” liver.
Traditional practices such as Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine often give special attention to the liver, with detoxification being a springtime ritual. These are traditions that have been passed down for thousands of years. The thinking behind supporting the liver in this season is that spring brings new life, so it is time to shed what is no longer needed.
When we overeat or eat processed or fried foods, or are exposed to environmental pollutants or stress, the liver becomes overworked and overloaded. When the liver is taxed, it can’t process toxins and fat in an efficient way.
When the liver is “sluggish” it has to be selective about what it will process and work on and what it has to leave. It will prioritise processes to get rid of toxins like coffee, medicines and alcohol, but non-toxic substances such as cholesterol and hormones may be recycled back into the body.
Symptoms of a “sluggish liver
- Abnormalities in your cholesterol levels: 80 per cent of the cholesterol is generated by the liver.
- Poor digestion, bloating or flatulence after meals.
- Skin disorders such as rashes, psoriasis, eczema, boils or acne indicate that the liver is removing toxins through the skin.
- A loss of appetite, weakness or dizziness, nausea or vomiting are typical signs of a blood sugar level imbalance. The liver helps regulate blood sugar levels.
- Allergies, as histamine is also processed in the liver.
- Hormonal imbalances such as heavy or clotted menstruation, irregular periods, fibroids in breast or uterus, ovarian cysts, hot flushes, mood swings or menopausal problems. As the liver filters hormones, a sluggish liver in a woman can result in these symptoms.
Diet and lifestyle can help your liver
Spring is a good time of year to give your liver a helping hand. You can do this by including in your diet some of the many foods that can help cleanse the liver naturally and support it as it removes toxins from your body.
Eat a diet low in bad fat and high in good fat, high in fibre, nutrients and plenty of clean water. Read about foods that support a healthy liver here.
Avoid alcohol and processed food. Incorporate plenty of fruit and vegetables in your daily diet along with lean protein foods like fish, tofu, legumes etc.
Herbal remedies for a sluggish liver
A number of herbs can have a stimulating effect on the liver. Milk thistle is commonly used. I also recommend supplements such as UltraLiv by Biomedica, Legalon by Flordis and Liv 52 by Himalaya.
If you suffer from the symptoms of an acute or chronic imbalance and would like some assistance to correct it, please contact Jamila to arrange a time for a consultation.
Be well, stay well!
Jamila
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