Modern life is toxic. We walk down the street and breathe in all kinds of nasty exhaust fumes. Mass-produced foods are soaked in toxic chemicals to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. Even the cleaning products we use in our homes are full of toxins. In fact, the average home contains around 700 toxic substances. Is it any wonder our liver is struggling to cope with the onslaught?
The liver is an incredibly important organ. It performs more than 500 different functions, but one of the most important is detoxifying the blood, so our bodies are not poisoned. If your liver stops working properly, it puts a huge strain on the other major organs and a build-up of toxins in the body can cause a number of symptoms. Therefore, it is essential that you look out for the signals your hard-working liver is ready for a detox.
Skin Problems
A yellow cast to the skin is a classic sign all is not well with the liver. Jaundice is often seen in alcoholics and those with advanced liver disease. It’s a sign the liver is not clearing toxins from the body. Your skin may also be dry and itchy, and you may have dark liver patches.
Abdominal Bloating
Abdominal bloating is a symptom of many problems, but it can also be a red flag indicator of liver problems. If you have excessive gas and your lower abdomen is bloated, it could be your liver crying out for help. Sudden bloating may be caused by a build-up of fluid in the abdominal cavity, called ascites. This is serious and should be investigated as a priority.
Digestive Problems
When the liver stops functioning properly, it produces insufficient bile. Your body needs bile to digest alcohol and fatty foods, so you will have digestive problems such as diarrhoea, constipation, and heartburn.
Weight Gain
Weight gain is usually the result of too much food and not enough exercise, but if you are following a restricted calorie diet and the weight isn’t shifting, it is time to investigate. If the liver stops functioning properly, it can’t metabolise fat, so your body will begin to store it, usually around the abdomen. A stubborn spare tyre around the middle is a classic symptom of a stressed-out liver.
Excessive Sweating
Sweating helps us to regulate our body temperature, but excessive sweating is a sign of poor liver function. If you have bad body odour, this is another red flag.
In isolation, the above signs can be attributed to many other problems but taken together, they point to liver problems. Detoxing your liver can help, so clean up your diet, ditch the sugar and simple carbs, and switch to organic foods. The best liver cleansing foods include garlic, avocado, walnuts, turmeric, beets, broccoli, and artichokes.
If you suspect your liver is not functioning properly, ask your doctor to run some tests. A simple blood test can detect non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is the first stage of liver disease. Catch it now and you’ll be fine, but if liver disease is allowed to progress, you can look forward to premature aging and numerous serious health problems.
