5 things worth knowing about your liver and gallbladder

Your liver and gallbladder are a functional pair, otherwise known as the hepatobiliary system. When working well they detox your body on a daily basis, and emulsify fats so that you can process them easily.

When your hepatobiliary system isn’t working well however, you may notice a number of unpleasant symptoms including headaches, mild IBS, brain fog and bags under your eyes. In extreme cases, jaundice (yellowing of the skin) is indicative of a severe liver problem.

Though this unassuming pair may not get much recognition for their efforts within your body, they’re essential to your health.

Here are 5 things worth knowing about your liver and gallbladder, so that you can take great care of them. In turn, they will look after you.

1.

A diet rich in fruit and vegetables can benefit your liver and gallbladder.

In the case of your liver and gallbladder, the foods which benefit their function are (fortunately!) delicious!

Aim to incorporate the following foods into your weekly diet, to ensure good hepatobiliary function:

  • apple
  • lemon
  • pears
  • avocado
  • artichokes
  • peppermint
  • radish
  • apple cider vinegar
  • olive oil

Check out our seasonal recipes for more inspiration. They are all tried and tested by our team here at The Maas Clinic.

2.

A 10 day cleanse can do wonders for your liver and gallbladder.

Whether you know that you have a problem with your liver and gallbladder, or not, it can be beneficial to complete a 10 day ‘flush’ a handful of times a year. This gives your hepatobiliary system a chance to clear out any lingering bile sludge, and reset.

A ‘flush’ is simple to do, and it’s delicious. Here’s how to complete it:

  • Incorporate a salad or two into your daily diet, for 10 days straight.
  • Add a vinaigrette of olive oil and lemon juice to every salad.
  • That’s it!

The olive oil supports your liver enzymes, while the lemon helps to emulsify fats. The combination of the two ingredients is incredibly powerful, and helps to cleanse your liver and gallbladder. Continue to include this simple dressing in your diet as regularly as you can, for great liver and gallbladder toning all year round.

3.

Many people have gallstones, and don’t know about it.

Gallstones are small stones, usually made of cholesterol, which can collect in your gallbladder if it’s functioning poorly.

To ensure that your gallbladder regularly passes all of the material it needs to, including gallstones if present, try adding epsom salts into your bath 1 – 2 times per week. The epsom salts dilate your bile ducts, allowing any stones to ‘roll out’. This also encourages bile sludge to move on.

4.

Issues with your liver and gallbladder are reversible, in most cases.

Your liver is the only organ in your body which has the capability of regenerating. In fact, you can lose up to 70% of your liver, and as long as one lobe is still intact, your liver will regenerate to compensate. Pretty impressive!

If you are diagnosed with liver and gallbladder issues, there are steps you can take to reverse their ill-health.

Common treatments, within the Functional Medicine field, include: a liver gallbladder ‘flush’, an adjusted diet, supplements and lifestyle shifts to accommodate better liver and gallbladder function.

5.

Your emotions can point to an issue with your liver and gallbladder.

Borrowing from the teachings of Chinese Medicine, your organs correlate to certain emotions. Your liver, for instance, when in poor health, is associated with anger, rage and frustration. Your gallbladder correlates with feelings of impatience and stubbornness.

If you notice any of these emotions present in your life regularly, for no ‘reasonable’ reason, it may indicate that your liver and gallbladder are not functioning as they should be.

If you think that you are suffering from a liver and/or gallbladder issue, we can help.

We are passionate about unpicking our clients’ health concerns and it is our number one focus to help our clients to achieve their optimal health. If you think that you may have an issue with your liver and/or gallbladder, and think we could help, we’d love to hear from you.