Christmas tends to be a time of quite a few alcoholic drinks, excess food, unhealthy treats, less sleep and for some, lots of gatherings and parties! You can still enjoy yourself but take some steps to minimise the impact...
Alcoholic drinks
Excess alcohol can weaken your immune system and slows your body’s ability to ward off infections.
What organs are impacted?
The liver is the primary chemical factory in the body and it is charged with changing chemical substances in the blood into other substances useful to the body. It also breaks down toxins in the system to either render them harmless or to prepare them for elimination. The liver can metabolize about one standard drink of alcohol per hour.
The liver is in communication with all the other partners of your metabolism and it performs backup and support duties if other systems are injured or otherwise failing to keep up with their own functions.
Alcohol can erode the lining of the stomach and will increase the production of stomach acid, which can contribute to ulcers. Alcohol can alter nutrient breakdown, absorption, transportation, storage, and excretion, leading to nutrient deficiencies and/or trouble fully using nutrients (1).
Alcohol can also impair blood sugar control. Studies show that when you drink, there is an short-term increase in food intake ie. you eat more! With delicious and tempting snacks at many Christmas parties, you can quickly find yourself eating more than you normally would and probably eating higher fat and sugar foods.
What can you do?
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Start the evening with water - add fresh fruit or have sparkling water with a shot of Mr Mansfield's Daily Ritual for bite! Apple Cider Vinegar is believed to reduce liver fat, control blood sugar levels and has a cholesterol-lowering effect.
Many herbs do offer support to the liver but we find the most effective are Dandelion and St Mary's Thistle which are both very similar in the action in so far as they are particularly valuable to a liver which is toxic, damaged physically or emotionally or struggling to keep up with the processes of elimination.
Many folk who never have enough vitality and energy or who have difficulty digesting various foods or have bad skin or difficulty in keeping their weight down are at the mercy of a sluggish liver however caused.
McDowells Products
Daily Ritual
Mr Mansfield’s The Daily Ritual, is made with raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar steeped for a minimum of eight weeks with herbs like echinacea, yarrow, dandelion and turmeric. For extra oomph, we add fresh lemon, raw honey and Bach Flower Essences, resulting in a great tasting tonic that builds whole-body wellness, everyday. It can help keep your metabolism and health kicking over this Christmas period.
✔ Perfect for indigestion, liver support and detoxification
✔ Better digestion and assimilation of nutrients
✔ Balanced blood sugars and decreased sweet cravings
✔ Clearer skin and eyes
Medicinal Mushroom Chaga
Chaga, 'The King of Mushrooms' a fungi with many adaptogenic properties that benefit health and wellbeing but is a first recommendation for immunity and as a powerful antioxidant. Chaga is a powerful immune support, potent anti-oxidant, anti inflammatory supports liver detoxification and liver health and is a powerful longevity tonic.
Planet Organic tea
Planet Organic Detox Herbal Tea provides natural clarity and purity through the synergy of a carefully balanced blend of pure certified organic herbs. Certified organic with dandelion leaf, fennel seed, celery leaf, peppermint leaf.
References
(1) Effects of Alcohol on Your Body
(2)
