Signs of Liver toxicity.

Updated: Aug 3, 2021

The symptoms of a sluggish or overtaxed liver are varied and can include excess weight, liver and gallbladder diseases, headaches and migraines, digestive problems, allergies, immune system problems such as hay fever and asthma, food and chemical sensitivities, constipation, unexplained fatigue, skin itching and irritation, PMS and other menstrual problems. Foods to Eat for Liver Health: There are certain foods that help to protect and detoxify the liver itself so that it can perform better to detox the entire body: Apples contain pectin which helps to bind and excrete heavy metals right off the intestines.  This directly helps to reduce the load of filtration on the liver. Beets, carrots, red onions and aubergine (eggplant) contain flavonoids and betacarotene which are potent antioxidants. Garlic contains allicin and the mineral selenium, both antioxidants. It assists the removal of heavy metals from the liver. Eggs, brown rice and whole grains, broccoli and spinach contain B-complex vitamins which improve liver function and promote liver decongestion. Vitamin B12 helps to metabolize fats and improves liver health. Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Bok Choy, kale, radishes, and turnips contain glucosinolates which help the liver produce enzymes for detoxification. Grapefruits are rich in antioxidants and help in natural detoxification of liver. 3 Bitter vegetables such as bitter gourd, dandelion greens, mustard greens and chicory promote the production and flow of bile. Tips for a healthy liver: Eat organically produced foods as much as possible to avoid toxic chemical residues. Avoid artificial flavorings and preservatives. Avoid damaged fats such as hydrogenated fats found in many processed foods. Use cold-pressed oils and do not use them for cooking. Only a little butter, a saturated fat (coconut oil), should be used for cooking. Cooking with olive oil is still controversial. If used then do not heat it to a high temperature and add AFTER food has been removed from heat. Make sure your nuts and seeds are really fresh. Avoid excess saturated animal fat like sausage, bacon, salami, hot dogs, and, high-fat dairy products like whole milk, ice cream, and cheese. Alcohol is known to be a powerful toxin that will damage the liver. Treating your liver well by following the above advice will have a huge impact on your health and longevity.