The liver is at the core of your body’s chemical laboratory. It’s the organ regulating metabolism, blood filtration and bile production, three essential functions for detoxification.
Metabolism and the liver
The liver plays an important role in your metabolism. One of the main metabolic functions of the liver is detoxification. The liver inactivates and excretes toxic chemicals, drugs and excess hormones. Once inactivated, the toxins are directed to the bowels, skin lungs and kidneys to be safely eliminated. Another function of the liver is to metabolize fat, carbs and protein and serves as vitamin storage.
The liver and hormones
Your liver has the ability to get rid of excess hormones along with other toxins. Excess estrogens promote weight gain and low thyroid function. The liver plays an important role into hormonal balance; excess hormones are broken down in the liver and excreted into the bile. The bile is then secreted into the small intestine by the liver. In a healthy body, the excess hormones are excreted through the bowels. But if a person suffers from mild constipation, which means more than 24 hours between bowel movements, some of the toxins can be reabsorbed into the body.
How to support your liver
- Start your day with a glass of water with a bit of lemon juice to help digestion and support liver function
- Load –up on fresh green vegetables including broccoli, cabbage and greens
- Consider taking wheatgrass juice or micro-greens supplement
- Support your liver with antioxidants. Vitamin E, zinc and selenium are essential to proper liver function
- Exercise regularly and vigorously.