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The liver is an important organ that plays a crucial role in maintaining health. Its fundamental role is to filter blood from the digestive tract before passing it on to be circulated further into the body.
The liver also releases bile, which helps digestion and synthesizes proteins important for blood clotting and other vital functions. It removes all toxins in the body and then excretes them as waste. Considering these critical roles, our body requires a healthy liver.
However, pesticides in our foods, coupled with artificial chemicals and excessive alcohol consumption, make it challenging to have a toxin-free liver.
This may make the liver sluggish and overwhelmed over time. Instead of efficiently removing toxins, the liver stores them in fat cells, often around the abdominal area.
When the liver reaches toxic levels, it cannot perform these crucial functions and may lead to serious health conditions.
Even if alcohol is completely avoided, the liver is still at risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition is now one of the leading causes of toxic liver diseases and poses a significant threat to liver health.
Recognizing the signs of a toxic liver and taking preventive steps through a balanced diet, exercise, and regular medical checkups can help maintain liver health and prevent long-term damage.
Also Read: How to Recognize Early Signs of Liver Disease in Adults
Important Signs You Have a Toxic Liver
1. Fatigue and Lack of Energy
The symptoms of a toxic liver include a lack of energy, fatigue, and general weakness. Though these may be symptoms of other diseases as well, they are often subclinical signs of liver dysfunction. Fatigue accompanied by diarrhea and loss of appetite can be some warning signs of liver failure and must be immediately reported to the doctor.
2. Loss of Memory and Confusion
According to the American Liver Foundation, when the liver cannot properly filter toxins from the body, these substances can accumulate in the brain, impairing cognitive abilities. This results in the failure of the brain, which may include memory loss, focusing issues, mental confusion, and disturbances in sleep.
3. Unidentified Weight Gain
Toxins get stuck in the fat cells around the abdomen, accelerating fat accumulation. A slow liver also makes it difficult for the body to burn calories during exercise.
The liver also plays a significant role in metabolizing fat. When it is full of toxins, it can circulate fat from the gut back to the liver through bile, contributing to further weight gain.
4. Jaundice
Jaundice results when the body contains more bilirubin than it can eliminate. The elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood lead to a yellowish discoloration of the skin, nails, mucous membranes, and eyes.
5. High Cholesterol and Blood Clotting
Unexplained weight gain may increase cholesterol levels, which in turn may lead to hypertension and high blood pressure. This condition can also increase blood clotting.
6. Abdominal Bloating
A poisoned liver may cause abdominal bloating and pain in the lower right side of the abdomen, close to the ribcage. It may also cause discomfort, heartburn, and severe acid reflux. Increased acidity can also raise body temperature, leading to excessive sweating.
7. Skin Pigmentation and Deformities
It may also make the skin feel itchy or produce skin spots through edema and swelling. It makes the skin appear red and flushed with a coarse texture. Black spots, medically referred to as liver spots, will start showing on the skin. There might also be fat yellowish bumps on the eyelids. These bumps signify the liver being plugged up by bad fats.
8. Swelling in Legs
Swelling in the lower legs and bloating in the lower abdomen are clear signs of a clogged or toxic liver. The liver’s inability to process excess fluids can lead to further bloating. The swelling can be painful, putting pressure on the skin and surrounding tissues.
9. Allergies
A healthy liver produces antigens to fight off allergens. When the liver gets clogged, it causes the body to store those allergens. As a reaction, the brain releases histamine, causing allergic reactions within the body. These may result in headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even brain fog.
10. Bad Body Odor
When the liver becomes sluggish, it can become overheated and raise the body’s temperature. The body tries to cool itself by sweating profusely, which leads to an unpleasant body odor.
Also Read: Ways to reduce nicotine from your body
11. Acne
The toxins in our body cause certain hormones that trigger acne on the face. No amount of beauty or health hacks will work well to clear acne caused by a toxic liver.
12. Bad Breath
When such foul-smelling toxins pile up in the body, they bring bad breath and poor oral hygiene. The bad breath may carry an odor akin to fecal, which many individuals find objectionable and embarrassing.
Also Read: Herbs and Spices That Promote Liver Health
Conclusion
The above compilation of 12 critical signs of a toxic liver is based on extensive research and knowledge over time. There have been serious repercussions associated with a toxic liver, making it essential to take steps to detoxify your liver and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Always consult your healthcare provider if you notice any specific symptoms. Liver problems should never be overlooked, as the liver is the second-largest organ after the skin and plays a vital role in the body’s functions.
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Apr 2017Written by Minu Manisha
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Jan 2025Edited by Lakshmi Gayatri
