LOVE THAT LIVER!

So far this year, we’ve been chatting about smoothies, digestion, inflammation, and laying solid wellness foundations. How about we shift into a different gear and chat about ways to “Love Your Liver.”  Why? Well, your liver literally never stops working….like, NEVER. Every single thing that enters your body is filtered through the liver. What’s more, your liver performs the following tasks all day every day:

• Regulates fat storage

• Cleanses the blood

• Discharges waste

• Neutralizes poisons

• Metabolizes alcohol

• Produces and secretes cholesterol

• Stores vitamins, minerals, and sugars

• Maintains hormonal balance

• Aids in digestion

• Removes bacteria

• Produces immune factors….

….Just to name a few. 

If the detoxification pathways leading out of the liver are clogged… (And they can become clogged easily)… Our bodies become overly toxic, which leads to a host of wellness woes… Everything from chronic inflammation to autoimmune conditions to weight loss resistance—-and every symptom under the sun: from skin rashes to food sensitivities… from fatigue and thinning hair to brain fog, joint pain, and estrogen dominance. Bottom line: Your liver needs & deserves your love. 

One of the most powerful ways you can support this organ is through nutrition….so today I’m brining you a list of  powerful, detoxifying foods that are easy to add to your daily regime:

1. Lemon Peel (grate this in your smoothies)

2. Brazil nuts

3. Dark, leafy greens like mustard, dandelion, and arugula

4. Broccoli/broccoli sprouts

5. Beets

6. Citrus Fruits

7. High quality protein

8. Herbs, like cilantro & parsley

9. Matcha green tea

10. Avocados

Practically speaking, you might be wondering how to string all of these together so that you’re sure not to miss a single one. Guess what: Before I wrote this blog, I literally just ate a huge salad that contained almost all of these! 

I placed a bed of arugula in my bowl, and then added: (all organic)

• broccoli AND broccoli sprouts

• pickled beets

• fresh parsley

• chicken

• and other veggies like radish, red onion, and purple carrots!

This kind of salad is my typical lunch. (I grabbed the lemon peel & avocado this morning in my smoothie.) Additionally, I have about 4 brazil nuts daily for the selenium they provide, which supports phase 1 detoxification of the liver. 

By choosing foods that support the liver’s ability to detox, you are also supplying your body with a host of other nutrients and antioxidants. There is no need to turn to a trendy “detox” when these life-giving foods can help your liver do its’ job….and bonus, by consuming real foods, the additional compounds in that particular food helps your body absorb and use the nutrients more thoroughly! Food is medicine!

Okay….now it’s your turn to take action! See how many of these foods you can make “staples” in your nutritional regime.….perhaps a detoxifying soup; an epic smoothie; a liver-loving casserole?? Get creative and love that liver!

In Good Health,

Lori