Having trouble losing belly fat?
If you find that no matter what you eat or how often you exercise, you’re still unable to blast the belly bloat, then maybe the problem is not your stomach. Perhaps it’s your liver!
This resilient and often overlooked organ is the secret weapon in the fight against stubborn fat. From filtering toxins to breaking down fat, your liver is essentially your best friend. With March being the month for liver health and awareness, we’ve compiled five incredible ways to jump-start your weight loss by treating your liver to some TLC. Read on to learn more!
What’s Up with My Liver?
According to the Canadian Liver Foundation[i], your liver is a complex, multi-tasking organ with a laundry list of 500+ functions. Below is a partial list of your liver’s wide-ranging responsibilities:
Cleanses your blood: Your liver metabolizes alcohol and other drugs and chemicals, neutralizing and destroying poisonous substances
Regulates your supply of body fuel: Your liver produces, stores and supplies quick energy (glucose) to keep your mind alert and body active. It also produces, stores and exports fat
Manufactures essential body proteins: These proteins are involved in transporting substances throughout your bloodstream, clotting your blood, and providing resistance to infections
Regulates the balance of hormones: Including sex hormones, thyroid hormones, cortisone and other adrenal hormones
Regulates your cholesterol: Your liver produces cholesterol, excretes it and converts it into other essential substances
Regulates your supply of essential vitamins and minerals: Including iron and copper
Produces bile: Eliminates toxic substances from your body and aids with your digestion.
And you thought your to-do list was long!
Why Can’t I Lose Weight?
When your liver is stressed-out or overworked, it can come under attack from viruses, toxic substances, contaminants and diseases, causing inflammation that is associated with obesity. This means that no matter how much you restrict calories, weight loss is near impossible—unless you detox your liver.
To detect liver problems early, look out for symptoms such as lumps of fat in the skin, particularly on the eyelids, which is an indicator of high cholesterol in the bloodstream. Itchy skin, excessive sweating, yellowing of the whites of the eyes, and carrying excess weight on the upper part of the abdomen. If you think there’s something amiss, speak with your doctor about a liver function test.
Safeguard Your Liver
Now that you understand the critical roles the liver plays in maintaining your overall health, here’s what you can do to keep it in mint condition.
Consume Cruciferous Vegetables
Fill up on raw vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic and onions. They contain sulphuric compounds called glucosinolates that bind and eliminate toxins.
Exercise Regularly
You should always aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day. Regular exercise can help you maintain a reasonable body mass index and ensure a healthy lifestyle.
Drink Alcohol in Moderation
Drinking excessively can increase the risk of a build-up of fat deposits in your liver (fatty liver), liver inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis), permanent scarring (cirrhosis) and even liver cancer.
Beware of Body Beautification
Body art, piercings, painted nails and toes, if not done properly, can carry of a degree of risk. Inadequately sterilized tools, reused needles or contaminated ink can expose you to hepatitis B or C, which can cause fatal liver disease.
Limit Pain-Relieving Medication
Acetaminophen, which is the active ingredient in many medications geared toward pain relief, can have potentially harmful side effects if not used in moderation. Only use when necessary.
If you would like to learn how the SmartShape™ Weight Loss Centre could help you to lose weight and keep it off, contact us today to set up a personal consult with one of our experienced and friendly team members to learn more about your options.
[i] Canadian Liver Foundation |[online]. Accessible https://www.liver.ca/