Your liver works hard to remove toxins from your body and plays a key role in your metabolism, circulation, hormonal balance, and healthy digestion. It detects the presence of toxic substances like heavy metals and by-products from the breakdown of medications and either converts them into harmless substances or releases them into the bowels so they can be expelled from the body.

Your liver produces proteins that play an important role in blood clotting, and it breaks down old or damaged blood cells.

Your liver also helps your body maintain a constant blood sugar level by removing excess sugar from the blood and storing it as glycogen. When blood sugar is too low, the liver breaks down the glycogen and releases the resulting sugar into the blood.

Your liver also stores vitamins and minerals and releases them when you need them.

A healthy body requires optimal liver function. Here are five ways you can boost the function of your liver for better health and vitality, including clearer skin, reduced sinus pain, stronger immunity, fresher breath, a better mood, and increased brain function.

1. Cut back on alcohol and drugs.

Alcohol is processed by the liver, and when a lot of alcohol is in the blood, your liver must work overtime to remove the toxins, and this can cause liver damage.

Prescription, over-the-counter medications, and illegal drugs also force your liver to work overtime to expel the toxic substances left behind.

Drink in moderation, and only take medications when you absolutely need them. Whenever possible, work with your doctor to find natural ways to address health issues.

2. Eat organic, anti-inflammatory foods.

The liver breaks down the substances in your diet, and a diet full of pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and sugar taxes your liver to the limit.

Choose organic foods whenever possible, especially when it comes to produce and meats.

Reduce your daily sugar intake to the recommended maximum of six teaspoons for women and nine teaspoons for men.

Eat plenty of high-fiber foods that are packed with antioxidants, including lots of fruits and vegetables.

Consume probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir, and kombucha, and quench your thirst with green tea, which contains catechins that act as antioxidants, fighting free radicals and reducing liver inflammation.

3. Reduce your stress.

Stress wreaks havoc with all of your body’s systems, including your liver function. That’s because stress hormones promote the inflammatory response and can cause or worsen liver damage.

Reduce stressors in your life, and use stress-reducing techniques like deep breathing meditation, yoga, and meditation to lower stress hormone levels on the spot when you feel particularly anxious.

4. Exercise.

Exercise promotes healthy functioning of all of your body’s systems, including your liver. Exercise improves circulation, which means more blood flows through your liver and finds its way to your brain and digestive organs.

Exercise has also been shown to reduce symptoms of liver-related problems, including fatigue, digestive issues, skin problems, and loss of appetite.

5. Take a liver-boosting supplement.

For centuries, natural herbs have been used to promote healthy liver function. For example, milk thistle contains large amounts of silymarin, an antioxidant that fights liver disease.

Dandelion root helps balance fluid levels and blood sugar, and artichoke extract stimulates the removal of bile from the liver.

Chicory root is rife with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that promote healthy liver function.

Stonehenge Health’s Liver and Kidney Detoxifier contains these and other powerful, all-natural, liver-friendly ingredients.

Optimal liver function ultimately comes down to what you put (and don’t put) in your body. A healthy, mostly organic diet and a daily liver support supplement can go a long way toward improving liver function, and engaging in other healthy lifestyle choices like exercising and drinking in moderation promotes liver vitality and brings better overall health for the long-haul.

 

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279393/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23698242

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23698242

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15339589