Did you know that the liver is one of the most important organs in the body??⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It is often under-examined and several symptoms of liver origin can occur despite so-called normal blood values.⠀
Here are the different functions of the liver:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Blood filtration and purification
- Transformation and storage of substances absorbed by the digestive tract (including drugs)
- Elimination of potentially toxic residues of certain drugs
- Metabolizes alcohol, drugs, environmental pollutants, estradiol
- Helps the body fight infections by removing bacteria from the blood
- Manufactures cholesterol, a molecule essential for membrane fluidity and the synthesis of steroid hormones
- Manufactures bile and bile salts. They act as a lubricant for the digestive tract, facilitating the sliding of the food bolus in addition to allowing the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins, vitamins A, D, K and E
- Manufacture of most proteins
- Participates in the fluidity of the blood and the storage of iron for the synthesis of red blood cells
- It is also the liver that manages the 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐞 in the blood. It plays an important role in balancing blood sugar. It stores carbs around place, participating in It also releases them as needed.
The gallbladder , too, is an organ related to digestion that is greatly underestimated.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It is often recognized under the problem of ''stone in the liver'', cholelithiasis or cholelithiasis, terms which all have the same meaning, that is to say the formation of small crystals in the gallbladder.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Advanced symptoms are known to be extremely painful: a sharp pain in the pit of the stomach or under the ribs on the right side which may radiate to the right shoulder. A warning sign may be recurrent nausea and/or vomiting.⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What can cause cholelithiasis?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- A diet rich in carbohydrates, sugars and refined foods, fast food, saturated fat, fried foods, breadcrumbs, .....
- Consuming too much alcohol
- Not drinking enough water
- A diet low in fiber
- An imbalance between the concentration of cholesterol and bile salts in the bile
The possible repercussions of gallbladder removal are:⠀
- A deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, K, E)
- Irritation and thinning of the intestinal mucosa
- Hormonal imbalance due to lack of good fats absorbed
- An alternation between constipation and diarrhea⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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My recommendations following gallbladder removal:⠀
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- Favor extra virgin and cold-pressed olive oil
- Favor avocado over nuts and seeds
- Avoid processed fats, fast food, fried foods, sugars, refined foods (bread, pasta, pastries, etc.).)
- Drink a minimum of 2L of water per day
- Consume a minimum of 25g of fiber per day
- Cook with or accompany meals with choleretic plants (dandelion, milk thistle, chicory, rosemary, black radish)
- Make nutraceutical cycles of hepatobiliary helpers. (see sectionliver support)
TOP 5 HERBS THAT CAN HELP YOUR DAILY LIVER⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Milk Thistle: Milk thistle can be purchased as a tincture or capsule, alone or in a synergistic blend with other nutrients. Milk thistle is used to treat bile duct and liver conditions and has liver-protective properties. It has been suggested that milk thistle may help promote liver cell regeneration, reduce inflammation and benefit people with liver problems.
- Artichoke: It can be eaten, drunk as an infusion or taken as a supplement. The artichoke is useful in the case of congestion or hepatic insufficiency (sluggish liver), jaundice and poor digestion of fatty substances. By stimulating bile secretion, the artichoke also acts on states of constipation.
- Watercress: It is an excellent source of vitamins A, K and C, potassium, phosphorus and calcium. It is recognized as a powerful antioxidant, a tonic, diuretic, appetizer, anti-anaemic, vermifuge, expectorant, stomachic, sudorific, depurative and hypoglycemic.
- theorganic loose leaf green tea: Green tea and its main polyphenolic compound, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), participate in estrogen metabolism, protect against various liver diseases, including liver cancer, hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease and chronic liver diseases.
- Dandelion: Its choleretic and cholagogue action helps against liver disorders and gallbladder dysfunction. It is recognized for its diuretic action as well as for eliminating calcium oxalate crystals.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
For supplementation, consult a qualified naturopath.
The best stir-fried livers
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Rich in vitamin A, folic acid, iron and zinc. The liver is the most nutrient-dense organ in meat, and is an important source of vitamin A. Its richness in these nutrients makes it a food with great digestive benefits. The liver is strongly recommended for people with digestive problems, inflammatory bowel and joint diseases or even anemia.
It is crucial that it is organic and comes from an animal that has lived in freedom.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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INGREDIENTS⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1 to 2 lb of ORGANIC chicken or beef livers cut in half and stripped of their white matter⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 2 tablespoons butter-flavoured avocado or coconut oil⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1 chopped onion⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 3 minced garlic cloves⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- ¼ cup coconut cream⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1/4 teaspoon of thyme⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- pink salt and pepper to taste⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Fresh parsley and fresh mint for garnish⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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INSTRUCTIONS⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Using a skillet over medium/high heat, heat 2 tbsp of oil, add the onion and cook until golden, about 5 minutes.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- In the pan, add the liver, cook over medium/high heat for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through and the inside is slightly pink.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Pour the apple cider vinegar and coconut cream. - Sprinkle with thyme, paprika, salt and pepper to taste. Stir and gently bring to a boil.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Turn off the heat and garnish with chopped parsley and mint.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Serve with wild rice, konjac or mashed cauliflower⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Article written by Émilie Riendeau
Naturopath, B.Sc, ND, K.In
Émilie Riendeau can be reached on her social networks: instagram or by email at: info@emilieriendeau.com
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