Good morning everyone
The 3rd day of the programme can be tough….it depends upon your starting point and how well your liver has been able to keep up with clearance of toxins.
Take a quick read below to see if you can relate to any of the symptoms which may indicate some liver “sluggishness”
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR LIVER IS SLUGGISH?
Many people have been told that their liver “is fine” based on their blood work. The reality is liver abnormalities in your lab work often do not appear at the onset of the problems but after years of suffering from a sluggish liver.
Here are some early signals that your liver might not be in the best shape:
1. CHOLESTEROL AND LEVEL OF FAT
One of the main functions of the liver is to maintain a healthy level of fats in the bloodstream. For an average person, approximately 80% of the cholesterol is generated by the liver. A sluggish liver will show up as:
- Elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad cholesterol”
- Reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or “good cholesterol” which is the precursor for your hormone production
- Elevation triglycerides
- Elevated ALT and AST liver enzymes
- Weight gain
- Heart disease
2. DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS
Out of the many functions that the liver performs, the most important is to produce bile, which helps in digestion through the process of emulsification of lipids. A sluggish liver produces less bile, causing many digestion problems for the affected individual, including:
- Bloating of the abdomen
- Constipation
- Inability to digest fatty foods
- Loss of appetite
3. SKIN-RELATED ALLERGIES
The liver plays an important role in eliminating toxins from the body and maintaining the efficiency of the body’s immune system.
If the process of eliminating toxins is hampered, as is in the case of a sluggish liver, skin irritation or skin allergies occur, which are considered the first sign of liver damage. A person in such a case would develop:
- Rashes
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- Boils, acne, or moles
- Itching
4. FLUCTUATION IN BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL
One of the main functions of the liver is to maintain the sugar level in the blood. A sluggish liver fails to do so, and would fluctuate the sugar levels to a great extent. In such a condition, a person would show symptoms such as:
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness or dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Low energy level
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
5. HORMONAL IMBALANCE
The liver is responsible for filtering out mutated hormones. A person with a sluggish liver would be quite affected by the hormonal (and neurotransmitter) imbalance and would exhibit symptoms such as:
- Sleep and mental disturbance
- Mental confusion
- Depression
- Sensitivity to medicines
- Heavy or clotted menstruation in women
- Irregular periods
- Fibroids in breast or uterus
- Hot flashes
- Cysts on ovaries
- Mood swings or any menopausal problems
6. OTHER SYMPTOMS
Apart from the sluggish liver symptoms mentioned above, individuals suffering from this condition may also show other symptoms, such as:
- Intolerance to alcohol (this is a big sign!)
- Intolerance to coffee (this is a big sign, too!)
- Swollen feet or abdomen
- Easy bruising
- Yellowing of the eyes
- Dark urine and stool
- Bad breath
- Heartburn
- Sensitivity to chemicals in paints, petrol, bleaches, etc.
- Body odour
SUPPORT YOUR LIVER & HORMONE HEALTH FOCUSING UPON THESE:
CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES Liver detoxing, oestrogen balancing, rich in antioxidants, anticarcinogenic, immune supporting, anti-inflammatory, rich in sulphurs, rich in fiber
FLAXSEED Gut healing, oestrogen balancing, oestrogen detoxifying, high in good fats, rich in zinc.
SAUERKRAUT Gut healing, anti-inflammatory, rich in good bacteria, immune boosting
BONE BROTHS (chicken great) Gut healing, anti-inflammatory, rich in protein, immune supporting
BROCCOLI SPROUTS Support breast health, liver detoxing, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, immune supporting, rich in sulphurs
DANDELION LEAF + ROOT Bitter – stimulates bile production (binds up oestrogens), supports liver detoxification, leaf: kidney detox, root: liver detox
TURMERIC Anti-inflammatory, helps GI health, supports immune system, helps brain health, supports cardiovascular system, detoxes the liver
BEETS (ROOT + LEAVES) Detoxes the liver, anti-inflammatory, helps GI health, boosts immune system, helps brain health, supports cardiovascular system
MACA Contains phytoestrogens, can help peri- & menopause, can help with infertility, energy, sex drive, PMS relief, adrenal nourishment, hit or miss with some women (many not be suitable for those who have had certain types of breast cancer)
POMEGRANATES Gut healing, anti-inflammatory, oestrogen balancing, anticarcinogenic, rich in antioxidants.
BERRIES Low glycemic index (won’t elevate your blood sugar), high in antioxidants, good source of fibre, highly anti-inflammatory, Anthocyanins
LEMON + LEMON ZEST Contains d-limonene – a potent liver detoxifier, highly alkalising, stimulates stomach acid production
SARDINES Low level of toxins (compared to big fish like tuna), great source of calcium and magnesium (from the bones), good source of protein
DONG QUAI Nervous and uterine relaxant – great for pain like PMS, ovulation pain, headache, abdominal pain, promotes menstruation and labour, yet mitigates lack of period and regulates cycle.
THYME & SAGE Contains phytoestrogens, can help peri- & menopause, can help with infertility, energy, sex drive, PMS relief, adrenal nourishment, hit or miss with some women
!!! RAW CACAO High in magnesium, highly alkalising, 20x more antioxidants than blueberries, also a good source of protein, calcium, carotene, thiamin, riboflavin
SALMON Thyroid balancing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, rich in omega 3 fatty acids, good source of protein
DID YOU KNOW? Salmon contains selenium. Selenium is a potent detox compound which can bind to mercury and make it inert.
SEAWEED Sugar balancing, food for the brain and breasts, nutrient dense, detoxifying, high in fibre, rich in iodine and magnesium, rich in B vitamins
SULPHUR-RICH FOODS Support liver detoxification, clear “dirty” oestrogens, anti-inflammatory (quercetin), antibacterial
OESTROGEN RESET – TO AVOID
Anti-Foods/INFLAMMATORY FOODS: Gluten (breads, pastas, cookies, muffins, etc) Dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese)
For some: Corn, eggs, grains Processed foods; packaged, with additives, preservatives, including protein powders (whey, pea, rice etc)
Soy
Conventionally grown meat and dairy
Coffee (especially so) and caffeine –
Reduce or stop Heating foods in plastic – xenoestrogens!
