Supporting your Liver Health with Endometriosis

Looking after your liver ..... a vital organ that needs support


It is quite common to be suffering from a toxic overload that is stressing your liver.  This can be caused by the various drug treatments used for endometriosis.  It can also be caused by the daily consumption of pain medications, or other drugs you are taking to try and get relief from symptoms.


The liver breaks down hormones and toxic chemicals and removes estrogen and xeno-estrogens from the body. If the liver is overworked, symptoms of estrogen dominance may begin to emerge and the symptoms of endometriosis can become worse.


Your liver is a VITAL cleansing organ for the entire body.  It cleans and filters everything that travels through your bloodstream.  This includes toxins from food, skincare products, waste chemicals and by-products from drugs, toxins from the air you breathe, chemicals off-loaded by natural bodily processes - like releasing stress hormones that the body no longer needs after the stress has passed.


So your liver has a lot of work to do. When your liver is working efficiently and coping with the amount of cleansing work required, then your body will stay in balance and you will not suffer the effects of toxic overload. 


This is vital for women with endometriosis, so that you can release surplus hormones and toxins, which will give the immune system the opportunity to work where it is needed – helping to tackle endometriosis. 


Therefore doing a gentle and steady detox with diet will help your body and your liver to gradually off-load these toxins and allow your system to work more efficiently.


You can jump-start the detox to help cleanse your liver, which will in turn open the ‘gates’ for the rest of your detox process to be more effective.


Best foods to cleans your liver



How to jump-start your liver detox without over-loading your system


  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day to ‘wash out’ your system 
  • No sugar, alcohol, caffeine, gluten 
  • Start the first 2 days with very clean and simple meals like salads, vegetable soups  – this period allows your body to adjust in readiness for the next couple of days 
  • After 2 days  simplify the diet further for another 2 days to ‘deepen’ the detox – juices, raw foods like salads, steamed veg, baked veg, and herb teas 
  • Then for days 5 to 14 introduce whole-grains and simple protein like organic chicken and fish 
  • Get plenty of rest, some fresh air, and gentle exercise like walking during this period 



Liver Flush tonic

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1/2 Lemon juice
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper or 2 drops tincture
  • 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
  • 30 drops artichoke extract (optional)

Put all ingredients in a glass and drink while warm. A healing tonic to support your liver.



Foods that will support your liver


Garlic 

Just a small amount of this pungent white bulb has the ability to activate liver enzymes that helps your body flush out toxins. Garlic also holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing. 


Grapefruit 

High in vitamin C and antioxidants, grapefruit increases the natural cleansing processes of the liver. A small glass of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice will help boost production of liver detoxification enzymes that help flush out carcinogens and other toxins 


Beets and carrots 

Both extremely high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene, eating both beets and carrots can help stimulate and improve overall liver function. 


Green tea 

This liver-loving beverage is chock-full of plant antioxidants known as catechins, a constituent known to assist the livers’ overall functions. Green tea is not only delicious, it’s also a great way to improve your overall diet.  

 

Leafy green vegetables 

One of our most powerful allies in cleansing the liver, leafy greens can be eaten raw, cooked or juiced. Extremely high in plant chlorophyll's, greens literally suck up environmental toxins from the blood stream. With their distinct ability to neutralise heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides, these cleansing foods offer a powerful protective mechanism for the liver. 


Apples 

High in pectin, apples hold the chemical constituents needed for the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. This, in turn, makes it easier for the liver to handle the toxic load during the cleansing process. 


Oils 

Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp and flax-seed are great for the liver, when used in moderation. They help the body by providing a lipid base that can suck up harmful toxins in the body. In this way, it takes some of the burden off the liver in terms of the toxic overload that many of us suffer from. 


Lemons and limes 

These citrus fruits contain very high amounts of the vitamin C, which aids the body in synthesising toxic material into substance that can be absorbed by water. Drinking freshly-squeezed lemon or lime juice in the morning helps stimulate the liver.


Whole grains 

Grains, such as brown rice, are rich in B-complex vitamins, nutrients known to improve overall fat metabolism, liver function and liver decongestion.



Supplements that will support the liver


ALA - alpha lipoic acid - a powerful antioxidant and can also help with the pain caused by nerve damage. Can also balance liver enzymes

NAC - N-acetyl-cysteine - helps with detoxification and protects the liver. It assists in the production of Glutathione which is a major antioxidant. It can help protect against the effects of chemicals and pollutants

Choline -  assist in the production of bile acids which are needed for optimal digestion. Also helps with brain development

Lecithin - used for reducing fatty build up in the liver and is also used to treat memory disorders like dementia. It is also used for decreasing pain after surgery, treating gallbladder disease and inflammatory bowel disease 

Milk Thistle - is a great protector of the liver and can protect against chemicals and drugs

Selenium - protection of liver cirrhosis, is an essential trace element and vital for liver health

Dandelion - is a great all round liver tonic, powerful anti-oxidant, may be effective in reducing inflammation. Some research indicates that dandelion may have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which could support your body’s ability to fight infection 

 



.As well as clearing the body of chemicals and toxins the liver is also responsible to excreting excess hormones from the body. Looking after your liver will enhance your health and help you cope better with the strain on the body caused by endometriosis.





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