How Strong is Your Immune System?

How-To Manual (Third in a series)

As we watch the viral cases build across our country and see increased attention upon the importance of a strong immune system, we continue our series to help you understand the important building blocks necessary to fortify your body. The star player on our immune system team this month is the LIVER.

With the liver’s over 500 crucial functions (from immune regulation to hormone balance to bile production to detoxification), it is important now, more than ever, unnecessary that we keep it in strong fighting condition. Because a toxic liver will inhibit a strong immune system, you need to know how to encourage less toxicity in the liver, which will then strengthen your immunity. And, unfortunately, we live in an environment with more toxins than ever and our livers are taking the brunt of that exposure. Some symptoms of a toxic liver are fatigue, mental confusion, nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, headaches, skin concerns, nausea, high cholesterol, fluid retention, loss of appetite and light-colored stool. To help support a healthy liver, try incorporating the following into your routine:

1. Avoid/Reduce regular consumption of alcohol and/or  drugs (with doctor’s support), prescription and OTC, and processed foods (especially white sugar, white flour, fried foods, trans fats, artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup) that can damage the liver. 

2. Support the liver with the foods it loves such as red beets, green leafy vegetables, wild caught salmon, grass-fed and organic beef liver, avocado, broccoli, garlic, organic and low acid coffee, grapefruit and lemon (great in warm water to start the day). 

3. Take the load off with other avenues of detox such as InfraRed Saunas, Detox Footbaths and Epsom Salt baths. 

4. Include supplements that support the liver such as NAC, milk thistle, glutathione, and turmeric (ask your practitioner before adding these if you have any medical conditions) 

5. Eat organic and non-GMO foods, as pesticides are processed through the liver and can be very toxic. Look at www.ewg.org for a list of the highest and lowest pesticide-laden foods.

By improving liver health and function, many people see improvements in other areas of their lives such as energy, sleep, skin and mental clarity. We specialize in supporting clients through detoxification, not just of the liver, but of the whole body. Before you start any detox program, it is essential that the intestines are healthy and moving so that the toxins have a “way out.”

Last month, we provided tips about properly caring for your intestines. If you missed that important article or the prior one about digestion, please visit our website at www.heightsofhealth.com for this series along with other helpful tips and great resources. Next month, we will continue following the drainage flow system of the body into improving the health of your kidneys as we help you understand and facilitate your healthy immune system.

At Heights of Health, we continue to offer virtual and in-clinic appointments for our services and we are happy to ship or deliver supplements as needed. We encourage you to take charge of your health - from the inside out.