Why you must address liver health when trying to heal your gut

When it comes to achieving optimal health, there are a few key factors that come to mind, such as eating a balanced diet, staying active, and getting enough sleep. However, what many people may not realize is that the health of their liver plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health, including gut health. In this blog post, we will discuss why addressing liver health is essential for gut health, and what you can do to support your liver naturally.

The Liver’s Role in Digestion

The liver is a vital organ in the body that performs over 500 functions, including the digestion of food. One of its primary roles in digestion is to produce bile, a substance that helps break down fats in the small intestine. Bile also helps to eliminate toxins from the body by carrying them out of the liver and into the digestive tract, where they can be eliminated from the body through bowel movements. When the liver is not functioning correctly, bile production may decrease, leading to digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and constipation.

The Gut-Liver Axis

The gut-liver axis is a bidirectional relationship between the gut and the liver, where they communicate with each other through various signaling pathways. The gut microbiota, which is a community of trillions of bacteria living in the digestive tract, plays a significant role in this relationship. The liver helps to regulate the gut microbiota by eliminating harmful bacteria and toxins from the body. In turn, the gut microbiota helps to support liver function by producing substances that help protect the liver from damage.

Common Reasons for Poor Liver Health & How to Support it Naturally

There are many factors that can contribute to poor liver health, including poor diet, environmental toxins, alcohol consumption, and certain medications. Processed foods, high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats, can cause liver damage and inflammation, leading to a decrease in liver function. Environmental toxins, such as pollution, can also contribute to liver damage by increasing oxidative stress in the body. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver disease, including cirrhosis, which can significantly impact liver function. Certain medications, such as acetaminophen, can also cause liver damage if taken in high doses or over an extended period.

There are several ways to support liver health naturally, including dietary changes, exercise, and the use of natural supplements. One of the most critical steps you can take is to eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods. Focus on incorporating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your meals. It’s also essential to limit your intake of processed and fried foods, as well as alcohol and caffeine.

Exercise is another great way to support liver health, as it can help to reduce inflammation and improve liver function. Aiming to incorporate at least 30 minutes of movement into your daily routine can be so incredibly beneficial. You can also consider adding strength training to your routine, which helps to improve overall body composition and increase muscle mass, which can help to reduce liver fat.

Finally, there are several natural supplements and tinctures that can help support liver health, including milk thistle, dandelion root, and turmeric. Milk thistle, in particular, has been shown to have a beneficial effect on liver function by helping to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Dandelion root can also help to improve liver function by increasing bile production and promoting detoxification.

Taking care of your liver is not only essential for gut health, but it’s also crucial for overall health and wellbeing. By prioritizing liver health through a healthy lifestyle and natural remedies, you can feel better, have more energy, and enjoy a better quality of life. So, start taking care of your liver today, and your gut (and the rest of your body) will thank you for it – if you think you may need some help addressing your liver or gut health then please don’t hesitate to reach out. This is the exact stuff that we do at The Detox Academy  helping our clients to achieve optimal health!

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This article was written by Ellie Dobbs