Love Your Liver!
Spring is just around the corner, and naturally it's a time when we come out of hibernation and become more active. This act of willpower or determination are energetic aspects of the liver in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The liver is most active in springtime, performing the proverbial "spring cleaning" and enabling us to make a fresh start and take action in our lives. Detoxification or internal cleansing is something that the body does naturally every single day, but when the liver is most active, it is beneficial to give is it some assistance and optimize its function.
On a physiological level alone, the liver has a BIG job to do. It is responsible for storing nutrients such as vitamins, sugars and proteins and it plays an integral role in detoxification by acting as the "oil filter" of the body--eliminating toxins and regulating substances in the bloodstream. It is involved in the conversion and production of vitamins and hormones as well as playing an important role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The liver is even directly involved in digestion by producing bile which breaks down fat to be absorbed in the small intestine.
The body accumulates toxins in many ways:
- toxins produced internally as by-products of biochemical processes in the body
e.g. -metabolism
-inflammation
-stress, negative emotions
-cellular damage and repair
-inadequate nutrition leading to
impaired enzymatic function
- toxins accumulated from external sources:
e.g. - polluted air, earth and water
- heavy metal exposures
- pesticides and herbicides
- hormone-disrupting chemicals in skincare
products, make-up, deodorants...etc.
- residues from drugs, cleaning agents and
household chemicals
Detoxification can be assisted in many different ways, but some methods can be very aggressive and even harmful. For safe and effective results, it is ideal to consult a qualified healthcare professional for an individualized program which will take your unique health circumstances into consideration. A detoxification program can be beneficial for the following:
-improving energy levels
-reducing inflammation
-balancing blood sugar
-balancing hormones
-reducing excess body weight
-improving digestion
-reducing pain
-improving immune response and others....
If you are interested in a detoxification program or simply interested in improving your state of health,
please contact Larissa Popov, N.D. at 416-699-6336 for more information.