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Most people know that liver health is important but don’t know how to go about boosting it.
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Here’s what experts have to say.
What role does the liver play in the body?
The liver is the bodys largest solid organ and has over 500 vital functions, explains nutritionistLucy Miller.
Its main role is tosupport metabolism, detoxification, and immune functions.
It also plays a key role in ourhormone health, processing all of the hormones circulating around our bodies.
Most of us dont realize the key role it plays in our menstrual cycles.
What is key to remember is that the liver acts as the bodys natural detoxifier.
What are the symptoms of an unhealthy liver?
Unsurprisingly, our livers now encounter more toxins than ever before.
If youre worried about your liver health, your GP can perform a liver function test, adds Miller.
Irritability, frustration, hurt, and resentment are emotions that affect the liver system.
Nutrition is the single most important way to protect ourselves from toxins, says Miller.
Vitamins and minerals keep toxins out and at the same time help the liver to eliminate them.
Plants are full of antioxidants and phytonutrients, which help reduce inflammation and support the liver.
Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts are particularly effective, says Miller.
The bowel also needs to work effectively for the detoxification process to work well, says Miller.
Proteins and essential fatty acids also enhance the detoxification process and have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on the liver.
Choose organic (where possible).
Drink milk thistle tea.
Its also great at boosting glutathione in the body, which is key to luminosity in the skin.
Eliminate or reduce alcohol, sugar, and artificial sweeteners, suggests Miller.
So junk foods are out, vegetables are inbut you probably already knew that anyway, right?
Enjoy a simpler lifestyle.
A balanced diet is, as mentioned, most important, but supplements can help too.
This article first appeared onBritishVogue.
