How do I take care of my Liver over Christmas?

Q : What supplements can I take to help support my liver over the nest few weeks?

A : To help your body get through the season from your first Christmas party to your last New Year’s celebration, keep the following tips in mind!

Drink a third pint of water for every measure of alcohol. Eat something before drinking alcohol, even if it’s only a small amount. Do not mix your alcoholic drinks at any session.

Herbs for liver support and aid detoxification include:

Milk Thistle
Burdock Root
Artichoke
Barberry bark
Goldenseal
Scutellaria
Schizandra
Panax Ginseng

Start one of the above herbs now and continue during the festive season.

Supplements: Co enzyme Q10 enhances tissue oxygenation aiding repair to damaged cells. The antioxidants vitamin A,C,E, zinc and selenium also help in similar manner. Essential fatty acids: primrose, salmon, fish oils help to combat inflammation of the liver.

Digestive enzymes help your body digest rich meals, alcohol and chocolate treats. The amino acid glutamine helps protect your gut from irritation from excess alcohol and sweets. Probiotics likewise will help your bowl flora disturbed from rich eating and drinking.

Try to drink more herbal teas such as green tea, nettle, ginger and lemon, dandelion, burdock tea and kuding tea. Kuding tea, a Chinese tea, is particularly effective, source it on the internet or buy it here. If you are into jucing, drink more greens, carrots and beet to further aid detoxification and promote anti-oxidants.

Homeopathic remedies taken in a 6C potency 3 x daily; Nux vomica for hangovers and over indulgence; Ipecac for nausea associated with over indulgence and hangovers.

Happy Christmas and plan your detox for the New Year!

You can buy all of the above products through ICIM Medics here.

For further information on nausea or vomiting please visit the Irish Centre of Integrated Medicine on www.icim.ie or tel: 045 844819