The vital role of the liver in summer health

The liver is the largest internal organ, weighing around 1.5kg in an average adult. It performs up to 500 vital functions, processing almost everything we ingest, breathe, or absorb through our skin. Here’s why your liver is so crucial, especially during the summer months:

Essential functions of the liver:

  • Regulates sugar, fat, and cholesterol: Helps manage energy and lipid levels in your body.
  • Produces vital compounds: Enzymes, hormones, blood proteins, clotting and immune factors.
  • Detoxifies: Removes toxins, filters infectious organisms, alcohol, medications, drugs, poisons, and heavy metals.
  • Processes nutrients: Breaks down food nutrients and regulates metabolism.
  • Produces bile: Essential for breaking down dietary fats.
  • Stores vital nutrients: Including iron, copper, and vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12.

One of the liver’s principal roles is detoxification. If overloaded with alcohol, junk food, drugs, or smoking, it can become congested and fail to clean the blood effectively, leading to high cholesterol, poor nutrient synthesis, and a build-up of toxins that impact your health and mood. 

Symptoms of a congested liver include headaches, fatigue, mood swings, poor concentration, and unexplained weight gain.

Liver cleansing is important:

  1. Hydration: Drinking plenty of water daily (2 litres recommended) helps your liver hydrate and removes toxins.
  2. Detox programs: Consider a detox by eliminating refined and processed foods, red meats, dairy, alcohol, and caffeine. Alternatively, try a meat-free diet or a professionally supported juice or water fast.

Ongoing liver care:

  • Healthy diet: Low in fat, with five servings of vegetables and two of fruit daily.
  • Raw foods: Consume up to 60% of your food raw for optimal liver function.
  • Lemon juice: Regularly drink lemon juice with warm water to stimulate bile production and cleanse your organs.
  • Herbal teas: Include dandelion, mint, milk thistle, and chicory root teas.
  • Reduce chemical exposure: Use natural cleaning and personal care products to reduce the burden on your liver.

By following these steps, you can support your liver’s health and enhance your overall well-being during the Australian summer. 




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