Our liver is one of the detoxifying organs in our body, and it does a lot of hard work every day. No wonder it can get stressed! If your liver can’t convert toxins into safe waste, they “wait” in your fat tissue to be excreted from your body once your liver is functioning normally again.
We at Bright Side have found out that there are at least 6 symptoms that your liver is overburdened. Check them carefully to understand if your liver is trying to send you warning signals.
Confusion
If your liver is overburdened, it can’t filter blood properly. As a result, toxins can reach your brain. When this happens, you may notice symptoms such as confusion, memory problems, and difficulties making decisions.
Low blood sugar
Your liver is also responsible for maintaining a normal blood sugar level. When your liver is stressed, you may experience a sudden drop in your blood sugar level.
Normally, your liver has to process and produce glucose after you have a meal. But if your liver can’t release stored glucose into the bloodstream, the level of glucose in your blood drops dramatically. As a result, a low blood sugar level causes fatigue, irritation, and an inability to concentrate.
Hormone imbalance
The liver also regulates our sex hormones. A dysfunctional liver may be the reason for an imbalance in estrogen and testosterone levels, which can eventually lead to serious problems such as a reduced libido and worsened PMS symptoms.
Mood swings
Your mood and memory depend on the state of your brain. When toxins get into your brain, you have problems remembering things and experience frequent mood swings.
Anxiety and depression are also connected with the condition of your liver. If you notice such symptoms, the best thing to do is consult a professional and have a medical checkup before taking any sedative drugs.
Immune disorders
Those who often get colds and other viral infections strongly believe that the main reason is a lack of vitamin C. But few know that the liver plays a vital role in building a strong immune system. That is to say, the healthier your liver is, the better it fights viruses and bacteria.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by paused or briefly interrupted breathing for more than 10 seconds. In severe cases, the airway can be blocked for 2 or 3 minutes, and these short periods together make up more than half of your total time asleep. One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea is snoring.
If you notice any of the symptoms of apnea, it’s better to have your liver checked as the chances are it isn’t functioning normally.
Ways to improve liver function
The first thing you should try is adopting a healthier diet plan. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to torture yourself with some crash diet. Just try to follow these simple rules:
- Cut down the consumption of fructose to 20 g per day.
- Give up vegetable oils that provoke inflammation.
- Avoid sodas.
- Your diet should include more animal and plant foods, which provide many of the essential amino acids.
- Increase the amount of green leafy vegetables you consume.
- Cut down or give up alcoholic drinks completely.
- Don’t forget about these great sources of sulfur: eggs, garlic, and onion.
