Did you know that the liver is sometimes referred to as the ‘central headquarters of our health’ because of the essential role it plays in managing all that is absorbed into our body, either via the foods we consume or the environmental toxins which we are exposed to daily.

Pharmacist and Herbalist, Gerald Quigley gives us the WHY of liver health and the WHAT as well as HOW to support it with good diet, moderate consumption of alcohol and natural support such as Milk Thistle.

How does the liver function?

While you’re out drinking wine and eating those deep-fried bar snacks you can’t resist, it’s your liver that’s on clean-up duty, working behind the scenes to help your body process it all.

Think of it as your biological waste-management system, if you will. Among the 500-plus functions it performs everyday, your liver helps process every single substance that comes into your body. This includes food, alcohol and medicines, plus any chemicals that are absorbed through your skin or even from the air including pollution and other environmental toxins. The liver clears these toxins from the blood and produces bile, which breaks down and carries away waste and fats during the digestion process. 

“Looking after our liver is one of the most important health protocols we can consider as it is responsible for removing those toxins and waste that accumulate in our body to its detriment,” says Quigley.

“When your liver is performing optimally, you’ll probably notice you should feel more energetic; sharper thinking, have healthier looking skin; clearer eyes; and an all-round feeling of better health.

“Consuming unhealthy foods and alcohol in excess may be damaging to the liver and it is important to support this vital organ to enable it to function effectively. A healthy diet including leafy greens, lots of water, green tea and herbs such as milk thistle have been shown to help support liver health,” he says.

Showing your liver some love

As the largest – and clearly one of the hardest working – organs in your body, your liver deserves to be well supported. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet; maintaining a healthy weight; and limiting alcohol and other drugs are all good ways to keep your liver ticking along in a healthy and supported way.

Now scientists are shining the spotlight on one of nature’s wonders, that’s the seed associated with the milky leaf called milk thistle also known as Silybum marianum.

Amongst a myriad of health properties, the antioxidant-rich Milk Thistle has been shown to support a healthy liver function. This flowering herb has been used in traditional medicines for thousands of years. These days, it’s used in western herbal medicine to maintain and support liver health.

Find out more about liver health and Milk Thistle at BYHEALTH.