How to Optimize Liver Support
Our liver is one of the most important organs in our bodies. It is responsible for many metabolic functions and helps our bodies to detoxify from everyday exposures to toxins. In order for you to retain optimal health, your liver needs to be nourished with almost every available nutrient.
Fruits and vegetables contain a wide variety of nutrients that support liver function and are vitally important to good health. Since the liver is the organ in our bodies that detoxifies our systems, consuming organically grown produce is the way to go. By consuming organically grown fruits and vegetables you are reducing the toxins you ingest making it easier on your liver.
When considering liver health, limit your alcohol consumption. This is important for liver support. When you consume alcohol, the liver uses all of its resources to metabolize it in your system taking away from other detoxification that needs to arise.
High fat and fried foods, particularly hydrogenated oils are hard on your liver as it just cannot process large amounts of fats and still function optimally.
It is important to be sure your intake of sulfur-containing foods is high. These foods, like onions, garlic and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and kale), increase liver support by increasing its metabolic function.
Try to keep your consumption of smoked, cured and salted foods to a minimum. Don’t add salt to food before you taste it. When you do use salt, don’t use table salt, use high quality Himalayan or Celtic sea salt. Use other seasonings to compensate such as vinegar, pepper, mustard, cloves, sage, thyme, onion and garlic. You can also increase liver support by consuming some everyday spices. Turmeric, cinnamon and licorice all help to protect liver function.
Increasing consumption of foods that are high in fiber such fruits, vegetables and whole grains is especially helpful in liver support.
Try to keep your weight at an ideal level. Researchers have found that there is a direct link between obesity and gallstone disorders. As with so many other health issues affected by weight, your liver functions better if it is not overburdened with metabolizing fat.
If you cut out the high fat foods and focus on organic produce and whole grains, you will be aiding in liver support and keeping your liver healthy. Limit processed food consumption and the consumption of refined white sugar. You will not only be helping your liver but you will improve your overall health as well.