[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The season of indulgence is on us and indulgence inevitably leads to stress for the liver and possibly also for the waistline so this year why not take a few simple steps to boost your liver’s function before Christmas? We’re on a mission in Only Natural, we just did some great training with Caroline Harmer who works with Renew Life UK, the leaders in natural health supplements for digestion and metabolism and here’s Caroline’s considered take on what you can do right now to guarantee a happier, healthier Christmas and beyond.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Looking after your liver during the Christmas party season
Many people find themselves thinking about cleansing in January and detoxing their liver following the Christmas festivities. But there are things you can do to support your livers health while indulging in festive food and drink.
The liver is your major detoxification organ, performing over 500 functions in the body. Even with healthy organic eating, purified water, restful sleep, and regular physical activity, in today’s modern world the liver requires additional support to keep up with everyday stressors, environmental pollution, and chemical toxins.
100 years ago, our organs didn’t have to work nearly as hard. There wasn’t air pollution in the capacity that exists today, we weren’t bathing in toxic personal care products, and we surely weren’t glued to electronic devices for hours a day. Most people describe the typical Irish persons lifestyle as stressful – and stress is a leading cause of poor liver function.
Luckily, there’s plenty you can do to ensure a healthy, happy liver even during the festive party season, we’re going to cover just that in 3 simple steps.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
3 Steps to Optimal Liver Health
Step one – reduce stress
Whether you enjoy long walks in nature or hot yoga, you’ve got to take time out of your busy schedule to connect with your body, let go of stress, and slow down. We are constantly on the go and we know that our fast-paced lifestyle doesn’t support healthy liver function. A paper that was published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in 2006 found that stress triggered elevated Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) levels in healthy animals(1). Physicians routinely check serum ALT as a possible indicator for liver damage and inflammation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Step two – eat your greens
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”7113″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”green”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Try to avoid unhealthy packaged foods if you can, I know this can be difficult over the festive season which tends to involve more processed foods and refined carbohydrates than other times of year – but even small changes add up! If you can aim for a diet that is rich in broccoli, brussel sprouts, kale, green cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, artichoke and beetroot. These liver friendly foods help support the body’s natural detoxification methods, especially the liver and are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
Step three – support your liver
Consider using a 30-day liver detox supplement that contains hepatoprotective (liver protective) herbs and amino acids in one easy to use formula. A good supplement is LiverDTX from Renew Life, it is a 30 day supplement that is designed to cleanse and detoxify the liver while at the same time support and enhance normal liver function. LiverDTX is a powerful blend of herbs and amino acids that also help protect liver cells from free radical damage. LiverDTX is in easy to take capsules, and does not require someone to change his or her diet or lifestyle. This makes it ideal to use in the run up to or during the party season to help support the liver, and help it cope better with the possible excesses of the festive season.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space height=”48px”][vc_single_image image=”6846″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”green”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Health complaints that result from a sluggish or stressed liver range from fatigue to poor digestion, problem skin including acne, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), difficulty losing weight, abdominal weight or “spare tyre”, erratic blood sugar levels, and even headaches. Since we are committed to feeling and looking our best, we need to support the liver and assist it with the hundreds of tasks it needs to perform daily. A healthy liver will ensure toxic substances are safely eliminated via urine, bile, and bowel movements, and help us feel energised and balanced every day – even over the festive season![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”7116″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”green”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Caroline biography:
Caroline Harmer, Education Director of Renew Life, UK and Irelands leading digestive care and cleansing company. Renew Life offer safe, effective natural digestive health solutions and therapeutic cleansing supplements that are free from all common allergens, unnatural ingredients and GMO.
References:
1. Chida Y, Sudo N, Kubo C., “Does stress exacerbate liver diseases?” Pub-Med [Internet] January 2006. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16460474[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]
