Your liver is  one of the hardest-working organs in your body and performs hundreds of synergistic functions that keeps a person healthy and strong. Your glorious liver, weighing in at an average of three important pounds, is a rubbery and reddish-brown organ that sits on the right side of your stomach removing harmful material from your bloodstream while helping to digest food. It processes anything you eat or drink and either repackages it for your body to use or eliminate.

When we eat processed or fried foods, overeat, or are exposed to environmental pollutants or stress, the liver becomes overworked and overloaded. When the liver is taxed, it can’t process toxins and fat in an efficient way. An overworked liver can lead to obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, allergies, hormonal issues, and other health imbalances of the body.

A functioning liver works as our bodies’ fat-burning organ: it converts nutrients from the food we eat into essential blood components, storing vitamins and minerals, and producing enzymes and proteins to maintain hormonal balances in our bodies. So if our livers are overburdened, our ability to burn fat is compromised. (Want to lose weight? Then address your liver health!) Our livers also help our immune system fight infections, remove bacteria from the blood, and make bile, which is essential for digesting our meals.

Here are 5 Ways To Love Your Liver so you can feel and look your best:

1)  Hydration. In addition to benefiting most of our tissues, organs and systems, water specifically promotes good liver health. Water is largely responsible for the fluid content and thickness of the blood. Not drinking enough water results in thicker blood which makes the liver work harder to filter toxins. Hydrate with Ultima Replenisher (sugar-free) Balanced Electrolyte Powder.

2) Fresh lemon water first thing in the morning. Squeeze the juice of 1/2 fresh lemon in warm water every morning as soon as you wake up.  Give yourself 15-30 minutes before you eat anything so that the fresh lemon juice can stimulate the liver and assist in cleansing the system of impurities. Lemon water alkalizes the blood and aids in detoxification. The liver can make more enzymes out of fresh lemon juice than any other food which helps with optimal digestion. Lemons also contain high amounts of Vitamin C, an antioxidant that is needed to manufacture glutathione which neutralizes toxins and facilitates liver detoxification. Watch this Gracious Living video clip on lemon detoxing.

3) Increase your intake of high fibre, liver cleansing foods.  There are many foods that can help cleanse the liver naturally by stimulating its natural ability to clean toxic waste from the body. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage increase liver enzymes to help flush out carcinogens. Dark green, leafy vegetables stimulate the flow of bile which aids liver cleansing. Beets are known to be liver health promoters. Avocados and walnuts provide glutathione to neutralize toxins. Garlic and onions activate liver enzymes flushing toxins while also helping to boost the immune system.  Fresh ginger promotes liver health by helping to reduce inflammation in the body.  Apples are high in pectin that expedite toxin removal from the digestive tract, which protects the liver. Try this Gracious Living liver cleansing salad dressing recipe.

4) Minimize your exposure to chemicals. This includes the foods you eat, your body products, and household cleaners you use. Organic foods supply nutrients without pesticides and chemicals that overburden your liver.  Avoid skin, body, and beauty care products that contain chemicals that are absorbed into the body (just like food) and make the liver work harder to eliminate them. Avoid chemical yard and bug sprays. Avoid drugs and smoking cigarettes. Eat organic, non-GMO, non toxic, superfoods that are easy to use in a busy lifestyle. 

5) Move your body. Exercising and daily, consistent moving of the body will increase circulation, stimulate digestion, and influence an efficient detoxification process. Sweating while moving also helps to to remove toxins through the skin, which helps with liver health. Read How Yoga Heals.

Tip: Your skin can be a reflection of the state of your liver.  Skin problems may be an indication that the liver is having issues removing toxins from the body efficiently.  Read Gracious Living Tips For Beautiful Skin.

Liver Destroyers: · Genetically modified foods (GMOs) · Trans fats and hydrogenated oils · High fructose corn syrup · Soda Pop loaded with chemicals and artificial sweeteners · MSG · Alcohol · Processed and fast foods filled with chemicals and toxins · Medicines that can overload the liver causing long-term damage.