In Chinese Medicine the Wood Element symbolizes creativity and adaptability and it is also associated with the Liver and its organ partner the Gallbladder. So, this week it was a perfect time to celebrate and talk about the signs and symptoms of an unhappy Liver.

Happy Chinese New Year! The Year of the Wood Snake.

Starting Jan 29th, we celebrate the beginning of a new Lunar Year. The Year of the Wood Snake! The Wood Snake in the Chinese zodiac represents growth, renewal, and wisdom. It is also said to be a time for transformation, that would mean, learning from the past, and moving forward with compassion. A time for responsible decisions and spiritual evolution. A time for forward motion with wisdom, awareness, and compassion and a time for transformation through harmony.

So this is the perfect time for transformation and healing. Ensuring the Liver is healthy is a key component.

The Liver performs Bio-transformation and Keeps us Healthy

When it is healthy it takes one element and transforms it into another less toxic element during the three phases of Detoxification and Elimination. When the Liver and Gallbladder are overburden, those toxic elements can get re-circulated resulting Toxic Overload. Nobody wants that.

The proper functioning of your liver and its partner in crime the gallblader is essential to good health.

When Wood is unbalanced, you may experience several symptoms and you generally do not feel good.

YOUR LIVER IS A BUSY ORGAN

It carries out over 500 vital functions… And holds 13% of your blood at any one time.

Among its roles, your liver acts as a filter to this blood breaking down nutrients into a usable form, metabolizing drugs into non-toxic forms your body can use, and cleaning out toxins that can harm you. By the way, if you are regularly taking pain medication or OTC pain relievers you are inhibiting the Sulfation pathway in the Liver. You need to support this pathway while you resolve the root cause of your pain. See the options below.

Your liver is involved with glucose metabolism, immunity, blood clotting, hormone regulation, as well as processing with how you use fats and build proteins.

When your liver is overburdened, it can become inflamed. It can become less efficient, and your health can begin to suffer in a variety of ways.

When this happens, you need to take action to help your liver help YOU.

First, we’ll share signs your liver needs a helping hand, and then some ideas to get you started.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS YOUR LIVER IS UNHAPPY

Fatigue and Headaches especially on the Right side of the Head
Depression, anxiety, feeling irritable, frustrated and/or mood changes
Changes to your skin: Brown spots, eczema, psoriasis, itchiness and acne etc.
Abdominal bloating, discomfort or cramping
Digestive issues: Leaky Gut, IBS. Aches and Stiffness in the Joints (Arthritis)
Lowered immunity: Never feeling really GOOD, Allergies or Super Sensitive to everything
Changes to the color of your urine or stools
Brain fog (including difficulty with memory and decision-making)
Gaining weight especially around the middle (and not being able to lose it)
Sugar crashes (even with high amounts of protein can cause this for a challenged liver)
Your Cholesterol Risk Ratio is High, Triglycerides are high or you have Varicose Veins or Hemorrhoids
Hormonal imbalances (including estrogen and testosterone)
Nutritional deficiencies (even if you’re eating a varied, nutritious diet)
Excessive body odor or sweating (Smells a little too), Snoring or sleep apnea

Lastly, you want to evaluate your Toxin exposure. If you work around chemicals or are exposed daily and you answered Yes to some of these symptoms. You need to give your liver some support.

There are many simple things you can do to support liver health and function.

A few are listed below:

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT YOUR LIVER

Lower Alcohol Intake — The fact is, alcohol burdens your liver. If your liver needs a rest, this is one of the easiest ways to help it, fast. Consider cutting back or quitting altogether.

Stay Hydrated — Keeping hydrated is a gift to your body at any time, but even more so if you want your body’s best filter—your liver—to be able to flush out impurities, and keep all your “juices” moving and clean.

Eat A Healthy Diet — Eat whole food, the less work your liver has to do to keep unwanted chemicals from harming you the better. Cut out simple sugars, simple grains and seed oils.  Also consider your protein, fat and carb intake. If your liver is challenged, it may not be able to handle a high fat or carnivore type diet. It might not even be able to handle certain foods that are considered healthy until your Liver is healthier. A simple Healing Diet that we often start our patients on, does wonders for your liver detox efforts. As you heal you can incorporate more and more foods.

Exercise — Get that hydrated blood moving through your body! Exercise is good for your organs, helps hormone levels, brain chemicals, and more. We often sit all day and night these days, so building in moving is essential. A nice 20-minute walk or two in the sunshine each day plus some flexibility and strength training works wonders for your overall health.

Consider Your Medications — It’s vital you are aware when it comes to your liver, it is the organ burdened with processing these sometimes-toxic compounds. Medications deplete many vital nutrients that are needed for an optimal detoxification process.

Herbal Teas — Mother nature has provided some delicious, liver-boosting plants that are wonderful to use as teas. Teas that can support liver function include hibiscus, dandelion, and green tea.

Detox Supplementation — Nature’s plant wonders extend to several medicinal plants that support healthy liver function and liver detox. They can directly affect detoxification of the liver or support more “indirect” aspects like nutritional absorption or decreasing inflammation, all of which work to help your liver function better.

NATURAL HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTATION FOR THE LIVER

General Support: Milk Thistle Forte, Livaplex, Livco, Dandelion Root, Turmeric Forte, Boswellia Complex, AF Betafood, Choline, Ginger, KL Support

Detox Support: SP Cleanse, Spanish Black Radish, Enzycore, Cruciferous Complete, B6 Niacinamide, Choline, Enzymix Pro, Biotoxin Binder, TUDCA.

To purchase Supplements or Herbs Click Here, 

If you need additional support or help with your health and wellbeing, then I am here to support you.  Text: 214 8696404 or make an appointment online at www.drpia.com

Have a Healthy and Happy Chinese New Year Week

Dr Pia