You know that feeling of waking up tired or getting bloated after every meal? That's not actually something that you're supposed to experience on the daily. In fact, if you do, then you may need to take a look at your liver.
The liver has a TON of roles in the body - it regulates your blood glucose levels, breaks down fat for fuel, aids in your immune system, processes and removes toxins and assists in hormone balance - to name a few.
When your liver is overloaded with toxins (processed food, sugar, alcohol, trans fats, packaged food... especially with St Patrick's Day just around the corner), it isn't able to efficiently do any of its other jobs. That means your body is going to have quite a few recognizable signs that your liver needs a break.
Today, I'm sharing 10 of the most common signs that your liver needs a little R&R.
1. Your energy levels are crashing.
A very, very common sign that your liver is stressed out is experiencing fatigue or low energy levels. The liver regulates your blood glucose levels by breaking down stored glycogen when glucose is low. If the liver is stressed, it can't do this as efficiently which leads you to feeling exhausted.
2. You feel tired, even after you've had a cup of Coffee.
Because your liver is so taxed from processing alcohol, packaged foods and sugar, even your morning cup of coffee isn't able to bring you back to normal energy levels.
3. You crave sugar.
As your blood sugar becomes less and less stable from your liver being unable to control it, your body starts to crave that quick source of energy in order to balance those levels. And sugar doesn't necessarily mean sweets. Processed carbohydrates such as crackers, breads and pastas quickly get converted to sugar in the body too - making those "carb cravings" a sign that your liver needs to be cleaned up.
4. You're bloated.
This happens on two fronts. As you crave more sugary/processed carb foods, you start to feed the bad bacteria that causes bloating. Plus, as you up your sugar intake, your blood glucose levels become even more unstable, leading you to eat more often in an attempt to maintain some stability. Eating every few hours leads to shutting off your MMC pathway which leads to even FURTHER bloating.
Get the details on the MMC pathway and how snacking causes bloating HERE.
5. You have brain fog.
Not able to concentrate? This may be due to your liver's inability to properly breakdown sugar and keep your glucose levels stable. Without stable blood glucose levels, your brain is preoccupied with finding your next sugar/carb fix, rather than sorting out complex problems in your job/life.
6. You feel hangry.
Remember those unstable blood glucose levels? Every time you experience a drop in those levels, this leads to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which results in you feeling edgy and moody until you are able to stabilize your blood glucose levels.
7. You're having trouble with your weight loss goals.
The liver also plays a huge part in utilizing fat as fuel for the body. When your liver is bogged down and under stress, it isn't able to prioritize breaking down your body fat as fuel. This can result in difficulties losing weight and gaining weight as well.
8. You're getting sick... kind of a lot.
The liver plays a huge role in your immune system. When your liver is overloaded with toxins, it's unable to perform its other various roles - this leaves your immune system weakened as a result, making you susceptible to even minor colds.
9. Your periods get worse.
Noticing that your cramps or PMS symptoms have abnormally escalated? One of your liver's jobs is to break down estrogen. When the liver is taxed from toxins, this can lead to higher levels of estrogen and therefore much worse periods and PMS symptoms.
10. Your mood is all over the place.
Feeling hypoglycemic, then hyperglycemic, experiencing higher levels of PMS symptoms, getting sick more often... it's not wonder why you may feel cranky! Your body is out of balance and it's resulting in a snowballing effect of issues. One moment you're hangry, the next you're energized from the high carb/sugar... but then that crashes quickly, leading to the whole cycle repeating itself - at least until you address your liver.
How to Detox Your Liver
Your liver naturally knows what it's doing. It knows how to convert fat soluble toxins into water soluble toxins, then combine it with a stabilizing compound in order to safely excrete it via your skin, lungs, colon and kidneys.
BUT in order to allow your liver to do its job, you have to reduce its workload and provide foods that support the large amount of detox work that it has in store.
After the liver has addressed those built up toxins, AENpeeps have reported feeling energized, clear skinned, less bloated, more motivated, confident and refreshed. Plus, AENpeeps have also experienced decreased body fat percentage (as a result of the liver being able to process fats efficiently again) and reduced sugar cravings!
Get started on healing your liver with ALL the tools you need with The 7 Day Intermittent Fasting Detox! The AENpeeps are all doing the Detox TOGETHER starting Monday, March 18 (after all of the St Patrick's day festivities 😉)!
Make sure to read through the Detox so that you're ready to clean up your liver on Monday! Get started HERE!
I can't WAIT to detox with you!
Your Nutritionist,
Autumn
Autumn Elle Nutrition