When you think of your liver, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many, it’s all those heavy nights of drinking. Or maybe it’s just that nagging feeling that your liver needs a good detox. Either way, this superhero organ does much more than just filtering out your lifestyle indulgences and toxic exposures. There’s much to learn about this impressive organ – some of which may surprise you. Below are five astonishing facts about the liver and what you can do to take better care of yours.
1. Your Liver Is the Ultimate Multitasker
Your liver performs over 500 vital functions, including clearing toxins, monitoring your blood sugar, and preventing infections. It also produces proteins that are crucial for blood clotting. Plus, anything you consume gets processed through the liver.
Your liver creates…filters…multitasks. With so much responsibility, it’s fortunate that this organ is the only internal one capable of regenerating or rebuilding itself when needed. Needless to say, it’s smart and busy.
2. It Is Larger Than Your Brain
In fact, this organ is the largest internal one in your body, weighing a little over 3 pounds for adults. While sizes can vary, males generally have larger ones than females. On average, it’s about the size of a football!
3. Your Liver Creates and Recycles Your Blood
Did you know that, at any moment, your liver holds about 1 pint of your body’s blood supply? Before you were born, your liver started producing red blood cells. And as an adult, it regulates your blood’s hormone and chemical levels.
Your stomach and intestines break down and absorb nutrients and other molecules from your food. They then transfer those nutrients and molecules into your bloodstream. But before your blood can circulate anywhere else, it has to pass through your liver for processing.
4. It Assists With Wound Healing and Recovery
One of the main functions of the liver is filtering blood, but it also plays a vital role in responding to injuries. When your body bleeds, it activates a system of plasma proteins that promote blood clotting, and this organ is responsible for producing those proteins that aid in coagulation. In this way, it is essential for wound healing
5. You Can Cleanse and Heal the Liver
Your liver works hard daily to ensure your body functions properly. It’s truly a powerhouse. But sometimes it can get congested. And when that happens, the toxins stop flushing out of your body as efficiently – which can make you feel ill, cognitively slow, fatigued, or a host of other symptoms.
We recommend a specific type of food-based detoxification twice a year to keep it in top shape. You can support the liver with the proper foods, supplements, and herbs to ensure it stays working efficiently and effectively. Our most well-rounded detoxification support is SP Cleanse which includes 20 unique whole food and botanical ingredients with cleansing properties.
And in between those cleanses, make sure to nourish your liver with the best foods possible. This includes foods such as:
- Cruciferous vegetables- cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and greens
- Artichokes
- Beans (black bean, red kidney beans, fava beans)
- Liver pate – so good!!
- Healthy fats like avocado, grass-fed butter, extra-virgin olive oil, nuts and seeds
Show Your Liver Some Love
It’s no doubt that your liver is a key player in your health and wellbeing. It’s supported you from the very beginning and continues to provide for you daily. Be sure to show it some extra love in return through your lifestyle choices, nutrition, and cleansing.