We talk A LOT about the importance of Gut Health here at GracefullyHome.com.  That is for good reason, friends. It is connected to everything! During my aggressive cancer battle, targeting my damaged gut health was a HUGE part of my recovery.  Targeting the root cause of our ailments is so important if we want to live healthier.  Along with our gut health, we must consider the role of one of the hardest working organs in our body.  This work horse works around the clock, doesn’t sleep, and doesn’t take vacations or holidays. This organ isn’t talked about much, but the liver is so important for so many reasons. We need to make sure that it is getting the love and support it requires to keep the very important detoxification process running smoothly.
IT WORKS IN TWO PHASES
Phase 1 is responsible for breaking material down into smaller raw pieces.
Phase 2 is where new substances from the raw materials are built by adding molecules to them. From there, the material (whether it be waste or beneficial) will either be eliminated from the body forever or it will be reintroduced back into the blood stream to be distributed appropriately.
CONSIDER THESE COMMON LIVER LOADERS
- poor eating habits (a diet rich in overly processed food)
- contaminants (from water, food, and air)
- pollutants (inside and out)
- pesticides
- food additives
- prescription/over the counter meds
- alcohol
- caffeine (coffee, soda, and energy drinks)
- stress
- poor gut health (an imbalance in good to bad flora or damage to gut lining wall)
- poor absorption
- synthetic substances (think skin care & absorption)
- trans fats (fat doesn’t make you fat, trans fat and fructose do)
- infections (viruses in the past, that can cause issues with detoxification)
- refined sugars (table sugar consists of 50% glucose and 50% fructose…your body uses glucose for energy, but fructose is not easily absorbed and is stored as fat)
The liver can get overloaded and the pathways going out can get congested. When this happens, the material that otherwise would be excreted out of the body (like cholesterol or estrogen for instance), gets recycled back into the blood stream and that can cause a whole host of other issues, as you can imagine. Think cancer, digestive issues, brain function, high cholesterol, skin issues, and the list goes on and on. Did you know that when you get your cholesterol checked, only 20% of the cholesterol is from our diet and the other 80% is from what your body makes? Fascinating stuff!
A NEW CONCERN
Here is a summary of a new health concern that we all need to keep in mind when stocking up on food for our families. Dr. Libby Weaver, PhD (Nutritional BioChemist, author and speaker, and visiting instructor at IIN) explains that when our liver is overloaded, the cells can’t replicate, they die and are replaced by globules of fat.  A disease that used to only be associated with alcoholics is now finding its way into teenagers due to their large consumption of energy drinks.  These common energy drinks that are sold at almost every register and in gas stations, contain levels of caffeine that are through the roof.  This is alarming given the fact that between 12-18 yrs of age, 50% of their adult bone mass is laid down. Caffeine interferes with the bodies ability to take up calcium out of the blood and into the bone matrix.  Alarming, isn’t it?
POSSIBLE SIGNS YOUR DETOXIFICATION SYSTEM NEEDS SOME LOVE
- Fluid retention
- Skin issues
- Congestion
- Lumps that swell during your monthly cycle
- PMS
NATURAL SUPPORT
- Tumeric (we take a tumeric, bromelain, and NZ Green Lipped Mussel blend every day)
- Dandelion Root (great detox tea)
- Leafy Greens (salad every day to keep the doctor away)
- Garlic (such a powerhouse of healthy goodness, natural antibiotic)
- Cruciferous veggies (healthy and delicious)
- Omega 3 (we take a plant-based (from ahi flower) omega supplement each night that offers omegas 3, 6, 5, 7 and 9)
- Dandelion Leaf
- Ginger Root
- Licorice Root
- Burdock Root
- Milk Thistle Seed
- Astragalus Root
- St. John’s Wart
- Hawthorn Berries
- Eleuthero Root
- Indian Gooseberry/Amalaki
*The last 10 herbs are available in a pre-mix called “Liver Cleanse Tincture” online from the Bulk Herb Store here.
SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE THIS POWERFUL TINCTURE…
-Mason Jar with lid (quart size)
-Liver Cleanse Tincture Mix (from Bulk Herb Store here)
-Vodka (80 proof/40% alcohol)
Note: Â The Vodka is the best way to extract the compounds from the medicinal properties of the herb and helps to prevent mildew from growing. Â It also helps transport the herbs straight to your liver.
-Clean old shirt or cheese cloth (To use to strain the tincture when it is ready.)
-Amber bottle or colored bottle with dropper (Like this here.)
DIRECTIONS:
Fill a clean quart Mason Jar 1/3 full with the pre-mix. Â Then fill the rest of the space up with Vodka , leaving one inch head space. Screw lid on tightly, shake, and store in a dark cool place for a minimum of 2-4 weeks. Â Be sure to shake mixture several times a week. Â After the allotted time, strain with a clean cloth and pour into a dark bottle (I like these amber ones here.) Alcohol tinctures typically will last 2-3 years when kept in a cool, dark place, like a pantry or cabinet.
TAKEAWAYS
- Support your detoxification and elimination systems by supporting your digestive health (We take a blend of powerful probiotics, prebiotics, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, vitamins and herbs that naturally help support core health…read more about them here)
- Limit “liver loaders”
- Add in more nutrient-dense whole foods
- Eat more “real” food and decrease processed food
- Switch to a cleaner natural energy drink that does not contain large levels of caffeine and sugar
Until next time, remember to keep it simple!
Isaiah 26:3-4
**This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
Disclaimer: The health and wellness posts shared here on GracefullyHome.com are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any illness or disease. The information provided on this blog is for general educational purposes, has not been reviewed nor approved by the FDA and is not intended to take the place of advice from your medical professional, licensed dietician or nutritionist.
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