A Sluggish Liver

A sluggish liver usually shows up as low morning energy, trouble digesting fats, hormone swings and skin flares. The liver clears used hormones and toxins and makes the bile that carries them out, so when it falls behind, the effects spread. The signs Meghan watches for:

• ■Low energy, especially in the morning
• ■Waking between 1 and 3am, or waking unrefreshed after a full night
• ■Difficulty digesting fatty or rich foods
• ■Hormone imbalances, mood swings or irregular cycles
• ■Acne, rashes, eczema, psoriasis or dry, itchy skin
• ■Frequent headaches or migraines
• ■Dark circles or puffiness under the eyes
• ■Brain fog or trouble concentrating
• ■Low libido
• ■Hair loss or thinning
• ■Weight that won't shift
• ■Body odor or bad breath
• ■Joint pain
• ■Lower tolerance for alcohol or caffeine
• ■A general heavy, sluggish feeling

Liver enzymes in the normal range only tell you the liver isn't in acute distress. They don't show how well it is clearing hormones or how well your bile is flowing.

Meghan starts with the colon. The liver packages toxins and used hormones into bile, and if the bowel isn't moving 1 to 3 times a day, some of that gets reabsorbed. She says to hold off on any liver cleanse until your bowels have been moving well for a few weeks. Daily support she recommends:

• ■Lemon water first thing in the morning
• ■Liver-supportive foods: beets, carrots, leafy and bitter greens, cruciferous vegetables, artichokes, garlic, turmeric, avocados, parsley, cilantro, apples and berries
• ■A simple liver juice: beet, cucumber, celery, parsley, lemon and ginger
• ■Steady hydration through the day
• ■Sweating through exercise, sauna or a hot bath
• ■Castor oil packs over the liver
• ■Sleep. Meghan is in bed by 9 to 9:30pm. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1 to 3am is the liver's time.
• ■Less alcohol, processed food and exposure from household and personal care products. While the liver processes alcohol, fat burning pauses and blood sugar destabilizes. Meghan stopped drinking in December 2021 and suggests a 30-day break to see the difference.

Deeper liver work belongs to Phase 3, Release, once drainage and the gut are in place. The Detox Phase Quiz shows which phase your body is ready for.