Many of you know about the livers role in detoxification but did you know that it plays a key role in:
proper fat digestion
cholesterol metabolism
storing energy reserves (glycogen)
filtering the blood before it goes out and provides nutrients to the rest of the body
helps with sugar metabolism
You cannot live without a healthy liver.
So, what can we do to ensure that your liver keeps you healthy for a long long time?
3 simple steps:
keep it green
move it
keep it fat
Keep it green
The foods that keep the liver healthy are our old friends, cruciferous vegetables. These are the dark green leafy vegetables of the cabbage family:
cabbage
brussel sprouts
cauliflower
broccoli
kale
These vegetables help "cleanse' the liver, donate some essential methyl groups and play a key role in detoxification.
Try to get 3-5 servings a day. Kimchi anyone?
They are best slightly cooked or steamed...or fermented. ;-)
MAKE SURE TO CHEW THEM WELL!
Cruciferous vegetables must be activated by the natural bacteria in your mouth. So make sure you are chewing them properly.
2. Move it
Exercise is an important part of keeping your liver healthy.
Why?
Simple. Blood flow.
The better your cardiovascular health and movement of blood through your body, the healthier your liver!
So, go walk, run, play sports.
It doesn't matter.
Just get moving!
3. Keep it fat
Eating healthy fats is good for you.
Everyone who tells you different is flat out WRONG.
The thing that will destroy your health and eventually make your life miserable is sugar.
A diet low in fat and high in carbohydrates is a shortcut to diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
YUP, I said it.
So make sure you are eating regular servings of healthy fats:
fish/seafood
eggs
butter
coconut oil, olive oil
avocados
nuts/seeds
You get the idea.
Every day?
Yes, every day and every meal!
Also, the fat in your diet keeps your bile nice and flowing, keeping your gallbladder healthy. That means no gallstones.
But it also means good fat digestion.
If you are experiencing bloating, gas on a regular basis, think bile flow and ask yourself if you are eating enough healthy fats.
Checking your liver health on your blood test.
Liver related blood tests are:
AST
ALT
GGT
LDH
I won't go into all the details of each test here.
Suffice it to say that if those test results are above the normal range, you will benefit from taking steps to significantly support your liver.
Our liver support supplement protocol looks like this:
AF betafood- promotes healthy bile by thinning it for easy flow while promoting liver health.
Livaplex- contains whole food ingredients to support liver health, function and blood flow.
Milk thistle- herb shown to repair liver cells (hepatocytes)
Spanish black radish- highest concentration of cruciferous vegetables to promote healthy liver function and detoxification.
*If you just want to maintain healthy liver/gallbladder function and your blood work looks good, we recommend regular support with 2 AF betafood/meal
Holistic approach:
Emotionally the liver can represent anger and frustration.
If you are experiencing some liver related symptoms, a good question to ask yourself is,
"What am I frustrated or angry about?"
The solution: see how your life is exactly as it should be right now.
Happy summer!
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