9 signs that your liver is overloaded with toxins and makes you fat

9 signs that your liver is overloaded with toxins and makes you fat

To protect against diseases and external aggression, the body has a filtering and detoxification device therefore, namely the liver. Can weigh up to 1.5 kilograms in adults, the latter imposes not only by its considerable volume but also by its essential functions to the body. Purification, storage or synthesis, it operates on all fronts to ensure good health. But what happens when the liver can no longer perform its role properly?

Although the human body is generally conditioned to carry out its functions, it is nonetheless impervious to the repercussions of an unhealthy lifestyle. Regarding the liver, the organ can quickly be overloaded with toxins if the bad health gestures are redundant. Unfortunately, many of us consider our duties to be acquired while in reality they can easily fall in quality if we do not take care of them.

The Mayo Clinic reveals some important signs that should put us on the pulse about the health of our liver. Here are 9 to which it is essential to pay attention:

Chronic fatigue

One of the many roles of the liver is to supply the body with energy by feeding glycogen stores into glucose. If it is unable to function properly due to the presence of too many toxins, the body is deprived of energy and thus becomes subject to chronic fatigue and a feeling of lethargy.

Yellowing of the skin

This symptom affects the skin but also the whites of the eyes that can be tinged with a yellow color. This condition is due to an excess of bilirubin in the blood, a pigment usually recycled by the liver to produce digestive juices. If it does not work properly, bilirubin reaches abnormally high levels in the body.

itching

The itching is mainly due to a problem of evacuation of bile salts. As Patrick Hillon, a gastroenterologist at the University Hospital of Dijon au Figaro explains, when the latter are unable to fulfill their functions, the body finds itself overloaded with substances that it should have eliminated. The latter then give rise to generalized itching.

Loss of appetite

In cases of severe liver problems, symptoms may be manifested through a reduction in appetite or unexplained weight loss.

Dark urine and stools too clear

Like the skin, urine and stool can also change color due to excess bilirubin in the blood. This is known as jaundice (yellowing) which is a consequence of hyperbilirubinemia, resulting in dark colored urine and very pale stools.

Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain usually affects the organs of the digestive system. In case of liver problem, it is possible to feel pain on the upper right side of the abdomen. If these are persistent, it is imperative to consult a medical opinion.

Swollen legs or ankles

Edema of the legs and ankles occurs when the liver can no longer create certain blood proteins such as albumin that prevents the accumulation of water in the tissues. The fluids are then concentrated in the lower part of the body, causing swelling of the limbs.

Skin that is hard to heal

In case of liver disease, the liver has a harder time synthesizing certain proteins responsible for blood clotting, a process essential for the proper functioning of the vascular system. In this case, the person is likely to suffer from bruising or bleeding.

Nausea and vomiting

If the liver is unable to eliminate toxins in the body, the body is overloaded with waste causing metabolic and digestive problems. After a meal that is high in fat, excessive alcohol consumption or exposure to chemicals, food or bilious vomiting may occur, usually accompanied by persistent headache.

The right things to do

To preserve the health of your liver, certain habits are essential. According to Professor Gabriel Perlemuter, head of the hepatogastroenterology department at Antoine-Béclère Hospital, it is imperative to avoid factors known to cause disastrous consequences for the liver, particularly excessive alcohol consumption, the thoughtless taking of medicines and a diet too rich in sugars.

The ideal would be to regularly consume foods that promote liver health, namely fruits and green vegetables. According to Pr Perlemuter, radish, curcumin or artichoke would be particularly recommended. In contrast, carbohydrates and meat should not be consumed in excess.

In case ofe doubt about a symptom, remember that medical advice is essential.