Christmas tends to be a time of quite a few alcoholic drinks, excess food, unhealthy treats, less sleep, stress and for some, lots of gatherings and parties! Although it is good to enjoy yourself, there are some steps you can take to minimise the impact…. especially on your liver.
What does the liver do?
The liver is the primary chemical factory in the body, and it is charged with changing chemical substances in the blood into other substances useful to the body. It also breaks down toxins in the system to either render them harmless or to prepare them for elimination.
The liver is in communication with all the other partners of your metabolism, and it performs backup and support duties if other systems are injured or otherwise failing to keep up with their own functions.
We also seem to process emotions in such a way that they affect the liver and again, if the liver is struggling it can generate specific emotional responses. The liver itself is a tremendously resilient organ and capable of healing itself, or even re-growing itself if parts are removed or if transplanted. When healthy, a liver is also very forgiving and capable of putting up with an enormous amount of substance abuse, as we all know.
What can affect the liver?
Cheers to a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year is all part of tradition, but when done repeatedly, can have a significant impact on your liver.
Excess alcohol can weaken your immune system and slow your body’s ability to ward off infections. The liver can metabolize about one standard drink of alcohol per hour, which is often less than what is consumed at the average Christmas party!
Alcohol can also impair blood sugar control. Studies show that when you drink, there is a short-term increase in food intake, and with Christmas, we tend to gorge ourselves on fatty and sugary foods that impact the liver’s ability to function optimally, causing it to become sluggish and risking further complications. Many folks who never have enough vitality and energy, who have difficulty digesting various foods, who have bad skin or have difficulty keeping their weight down are at the mercy of a sluggish liver. Other signs of a sluggish liver include muscle spasms and tightness of the tendons, eye problems, poor sleep, and being low in initiative and/or motivation.
What can you do?
Hydration is definitely key! Start the evening with water - add fresh fruit or have sparkling water with a shot of Mr Mansfield's Daily Ritual for bite. Apple Cider Vinegar is believed to reduce liver fat, control blood sugar levels and has a cholesterol-lowering effect. Limit (or pace) the amount of alcohol that you drink, and ensure you are eating a balanced diet, (where you can), limiting excessive fatty and sugary foods.
Many herbs do offer support to the liver, but we find the most effective are Dandelion and St Mary’s Thistle (Milk Thistle). Both are very similar in the action, and they are particularly valuable to a liver that is toxic, damaged physically or emotionally or struggling to keep up with the processes of elimination.
For over 2,000 years Europeans have used milk thistle seeds as a herbal treatment for liver disorders. For the past 40 years intensive chemical, pharmacological, and clinical research has confirmed mechanisms of action and therapeutic value of silymarin in a wide range of human liver diseases including toxic metabolic liver damage, chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Silymarin, derived from the seeds of the plant, has shown both protective and restorative effects in liver disease.
Dandelion is very nourishing and high in vitamin A. It is a blood, kidney, and liver cleanser and tonic. Dandelion’s bitter taste stimulates bitter receptors in the mouth and by reflex activates the entire digestive tract and the liver. Dandelion cleanses the liver by increasing bile production and flow through the liver, thus giving support to its work as the major detoxifying organ in the body.
McDowells Sluggish Liver Formula contains: Agrimony, Alfalfa, Blue Flag, Dandelion, Fennel, Fenugreek, Rosehips, St Mary's Thistle and a selection of appropriate Bach Flower remedies and can make an immediate and noticeable difference to how your liver is functioning, with the potential to completely restore your liver within 3 to 6 months. To find out more information and to see what administration would suit you, click here for your free consultation.
Mr Mansfield’s The Daily Ritual is made with raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar steeped for a minimum of eight weeks with herbs like echinacea, yarrow, dandelion and turmeric. For extra oomph, we add fresh lemon, raw honey and Bach Flower Essences, resulting in a great-tasting tonic that builds whole-body wellness, every day.
Both our sluggish liver formula and Mr Mansfield’s The Daily Ritual can help keep your metabolism and health kicking over this Christmas period…cheers to that!
