Overindulge over the weekend? Been taking prescription medications for an extended period of time? You might be in need of a liver detox in Farmington. First, let's talk about what the liver does.

The liver has a number of important functions, including detoxification of potentially toxic chemicals, like drugs and alcohol, from your body. The liver detoxifies these harmful substances through a number of complex chemical reactions and enzyme activity. The role of these various enzymes in the liver is to convert fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble toxins so that they can be excreted in urine. The liver is also responsible for storage of glycogen and regulation of blood sugar levels, protein metabolism, production of bile for digestion of fats, production of red blood cells, and regulation of a number of hormones. The liver also stores many vitamins, mainly iron, copper, B12, and vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Factors That Affect Liver Performance

Many factors affect liver performance, including overeating rich or poor quality foods, environmental stressors, overwork or emotional stress, leading to a decreased ability to clear toxins and hormones and manufacture bile. Foods that contain high levels of antioxidants help to protect the liver and keep it healthy, while other foods cleanse the liver. Symptoms of an overtaxed liver can include excess weight, liver and gall bladder disease, headaches and migraines, digestive issues, allergies, immune system problems (such as hay fever and asthma), food and chemical sensitivities, constipation, unexplained fatigue, skin itching, and irritation, etc.

So what can you do to support your liver? Foods to eat for liver health include apples, beets, carrots, red onion, eggplant, garlic, eggs, brown rice and whole grains, broccoli and spinach, cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Bok Choy, kale, radishes, and turnips), grapefruit, and bitter vegetables like dandelion greens, mustard greens, and chicory root. Try to drink water that has been filtered and sterilized, eat organically produced foods as much as possible, avoid artificial flavorings and preservatives, as well as hydrogenated fats found in many processed foods. Avoid excess saturated animal fats, like sausage, bacon, salami, hot dogs, and high-fat dairy products like whole milk, cheese, and ice cream. Alcohol is also known to be a powerful toxin that will cause damage to the liver.

Showing your liver some love will have a huge impact on your overall health and longevity!