Liver Health: 7 Ways to Boost It, According To Experts

glamour.com:

—can help us lead healthier, happier lives, so we probably should know how to boost our liver health. Here's what experts have to say.What role does the liver play in the body?“The liver is the body’s largest solid organ and has over 500 vital functions,” explains nutritionist . “Its main role is to , detoxification and immune functions.

The liver processes the food that we eat and converts it into energy—it also breaks certain substances down and makes toxins less harmful to the body, removing them from the bloodstream.” Hepatocytes, the cells within the liver, sort out which nutrients to process, and which should be stored, eliminated or returned to the blood.It also plays a key role in our , processing all of the hormones circulating around our bodies. “Once the body has used a hormone, the liver then processes it out of the body,” says Natasha Richardson, medical herbalist and founder of . “Most of us don’t realize the key role it plays in our menstrual cycles.”In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver is responsible for directing the flow of Qi (energy) in our body, plus it also directs blood circulation, says acupuncturist .What is key to remember is that the liver acts as the body’s natural detoxifier.What are the symptoms of an unhealthy liver?Unsurprisingly, our livers now encounter more toxins than ever before. “We are surrounded by far more chemicals in daily life, which have made their way into our air, water, soil and food,” says Miller. “We are also exposed to toxins via the products that we use in the home or on our skin, and these substances accumulate over the years, sometimes causing harm and pushing vital nutrients out.” The most damaging things for our liver are long-term heavy alcohol use, drugs,.