1. Itchy skin

It's easy to ignore itchy skin unless there is a rash. But itchy skin can occur when bile is present in the bloodstream due to liver stress.

2. Spider veins

These are small, spider-like capillaries visible under the skin. Researchers believe that various factors may result in spider veins, including - changes in hormone levels, lack of nutrition such as antioxidants, and underlying issues such as liver stress. Spider veins, especially if there is more than one, are a common sign of liver disease. People with liver disease often have multiple vessel clusters at a time.

3. Easy bruising & bleeding

If you find that you bruise or bleed easily after being injured, this might be a sign that your liver is not healthy. The proteins you need to clot your blood are no longer being produced in sufficient amounts. We often see that this reduces with trace mineral and antioxidant supplementation, as this both strengthens the tiny capillaries as well as supports the liver.

4. Bad breath

Bad breath may indicate many health problems, such as sinusitis or gum disease, but it can also be a telltale sign of liver overload. Bad breath during liver failure is known as ‘fetor hepaticus’. This is a fruity, musky smell in the breath that is caused by a high level of dimethyl sulphide, which occurs in your blood when you suffer from liver cirrhosis.

But you don’t have to have liver disease for bad breath to show up!

When following detox protocol, it is frequently found that things such as improvement in their breath happen. When one of the ‘Detox Pathways’ is under functioning - it puts a load on the other pathways and our respiratory system and lungs are one way for toxins to leave the body. Hence a ‘toxic’ smelly breath.

5. Skin blemishes

Problem skin and brown pigmentation on the face can occur if the liver is sluggish and not working as it should. When the liver is not functioning properly, estrogen in the system increases. This causes a substance named tyrosinase, an enzyme containing copper, to produce more melanin (skin pigmentation) and causes blemishes on the face or the entire body. This is why many of these brown spots are often referred to as ‘Liver Spots’.

6. Itchy red palms

Red, burning itching palms of hands, also known as palmar erythema, can be a sign of liver damage. People also complain of itchy feet when liver stress is present. This condition occurs as a result of abnormal hormone levels in the blood, also indicating that the liver is not detoxing these substances.

7. Foggy thinking

Have you been struggling at work lately? Your lack of concentration might not be because of lack of sleep or procrastination - but could be an actual sign of a sluggish, overloaded liver. Two of the most significant functions of the liver are to detoxify and to energize the body. When the blood is overloaded with toxins, which results from a liver that is not functioning properly, your brain can be affected. Pair that with a sluggish metabolizing of energy, this can result in fatigue, and mental fogginess.

8. ‘Cranky’ all the time!

So you’ve been bad-tempered, irritable, grumpy, in a bad mood? Sound like you could be ‘Liverish’! Yes a toxic liver can affect your temper and emotional resilience. Once-upon-a-time, your Great Grandmother may have “given you a dose of salts” when you were ‘cranky and liverish’. Great Granny may have been more wiser than you thought!

Epsom Salts is rich in magnesium and opens up the ducts of the liver and helps to flush out toxins quickly. Also - anger and frustration are emotions associated with Liver and Gallbladder imbalance in Chinese medicine. So chances are good that you might even be a nicer version of you . . . with a little Liver Love and a Detox!