How To Improve Your Liver Function For a Sound Sleep
Are you waking up between the hours of 1-3 a.m frequently? According to the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) organ clock, these hours actually correspond to the liver.
When our liver is overburdened with toxins such as metals, mycotoxins and toxicants such as BPA (found in plastics) it can affect our ability to have quality sleep at night. Moreover, suppressed feelings of anger and frustration can stagnate the liver qi, further contributing to a dysfunctional liver.
Is alcohol impacting your liver health and sleep?
Have you heard of the old tale that having a glass of wine or whisky before bed will put anyone to sleep? Well, this is true in terms of sleep latency (meaning it’s quicker to fall asleep) but consuming alcohol at night actually negatively affects the REM part of our sleep cycle, which helps us to effectively store memories and balance our moods. This is in part due to how the liver has to process the alcohol.
Here are 4 ways to improve your liver health & sleep:
1. Eat your cruciferous vegetables
These green delicious vegetables contain a constituent called indole-3-carbinol, which is great for enhancing liver detoxification. Cruciferous vegetables include cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and other green leaf vegetables.
2. Stay hydrated
Have you heard the saying, ‘The best solution for pollution is dilution’ It’s especially true of the liver, needing enough water to ensure proper bile flow and therefore proper detoxification. If you’re struggling with increasing water intake, try adding some mint leaves and lemon to help add flavour.
3. Socially distance yourself from those notorious chemicals found in makeup and beauty products
Less chemical burden equals a better functioning liver. There’re also many amazingly clean alternative brands such as Inika and Perfect Potion for beauty and fragrances to choose from.
4. Let off some steam
This can look different for everyone; drumming, dancing and weight-lifting are a few examples to release those feelings contributing to a stagnant liver.
These are just a few of the many practical ways you can support your liver, to ensure that you get a better night’s sleep. For a tailored plan to help you get quality sleep every night book here.
By Fallon Cashell – A.R.T Practitioner
