Which Foods Are Best for a Healthy Liver

Fun Facts:

-The liver is a very important organ in the body. In fact it is one of the largest organs in the body.

-It’s about the size of a football and sits under the rib cage in the upper right part of the abdomen and weighs about 3.1 pounds.

The liver has many functions such as:

• It filters waste products from the blood.

• It converts nutrients in our diet into usable substances the body can use and also stores them.

• The liver produces proteins with the help of Vitamin K, that are important in blood clotting.

• It also breaks down old or damaged blood cells.

• It makes bile to help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E, and K).

• It breaks down hormones.

• It removes toxins like drugs, alcohol, and environmental toxins by converting them into harmless substances or makes sure the body can release them.

• It metabolizes and stores fat, sugar, carbs, and vitamins as well as many other nutrients derived from the food we eat for energy and brain function as needed.

Nutritional Support for the Liver

Lemon water- One of the first things I take in the morning is my lemon water. It’s important for thinning the bile. The bile can become thick and interfere with how vitamins are absorbed. Add the juice of ½ lemon in 8 ounces of water. You can also try my amazing cranberry cocktail drink for additional benefits.

Beets – This is one of my favorite superfoods. The betalains and pectin help clean out the toxins. A couple of ounces of beets or some root powder in your breakfast drink can do wonders!

Herbal Bitters- Herbal bitter can help the gallbladder secrete (make) bile and thin the bile. Add them to your salads and in your meals. Some of the most common include dandelion greens (try it as a tea), bitter melon, Brussel sprouts and green leafy vegetables.

Healthy Fats – Some of the most powerful fats are coconut oil (also great for weight loss), flaxseed (awesome estrogen modulator; helpful for women in menopause) and hempseed oil (has a nice balance of Omega 3’s and Omega 6’s).

Sunflower Lecithin – This is another forgotten powerhouse because of its bile thinning benefits and effects on the neurotransmitters. It is important in brain health because lecithin is converted into acetylcholine which is important in nerve impulse transmission. Add a couple of tablespoons to your daily smoothie.