Everything slows way down and gets stagnant if your liver is over-taxed.

The second largest organ in your body (after the skin), your liver works constantly to keep you healthy. Your liver filters everything you eat and drink, helps move toxins safely out of the body, regulates blood sugar levels, stores extra sugar in the form of glycogen and converts extra carbohydrate and protein into forms that can be stored for later use.

Your liver also produces the body’s bile which breaks down fats so they can be absorbed, and carries wastes out in the stool. Your liver even breaks down old or injured blood cells. It stores iron. It stores clotting molecules for the blood.

It’s important to note that liver issues don’t only occur in people who drink alcohol heavily. They can also affect people with a poor diet, those who are under high amounts of stress, anyone exposed to air pollution and environmental toxins, and people on prescription medications or antibiotics.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve the health of your liver: Consume alcohol in moderation or not at all. Monitor your medications and supplements. Manage your weight. Focus on a healthy diet. Prevent infections. See a wellness professional regularly; she can help identify and treat any underlying health conditions early on, before they become more serious or complicated.