The liver, the largest internal organ in the human body, plays a crucial role in overall wellness. This organ, which weighs about 3 pounds, performs over 500 functions, including the digestion of proteins, mineral storage, bile production, and blood filtration. The importance of keeping your liver healthy cannot be stressed enough. Maintaining a healthy liver is key to keeping your entire body functioning efficiently.
So, how can you keep your liver healthy and happy? Dr. Joseph Salhab, a gastroenterologist, has now shared his liver-friendly morning routine. The doctor, whose expertise includes digestion, liver, pancreas, and nutrition, is better known online as Dr. GI Joe, and has over 1.3 million followers on Instagram. Here’s what the doctor does in the morning to keep his liver healthy.
Dr. GI Joe begins his day with a glass of warm water with freshly squeezed lemon. Around 5:30 am, he has a glass of this citrus drink. “Starting my day with the intention to nourish my liver and energize my body. Warm water and Vitamin C can stimulate a bowel movement and provide hydration after fasting overnight,” the doctor said in a video shared on Instagram. At 6 am, he hits the gym. The health expert stresses the importance of exercise in liver health. “Move your body to ignite liver function and lower the risk of fatty liver,” he says.
After 45 minutes in the gym, the doctor has a cup of coffee. He uses cinnamon instead of sugar. “Coffee, or Green Tea with w/Jasmine, will energize the mind and liver with caffeine and liver-protecting chlorogenic acid.”
Dr. GI Joe’s breakfast is all about giving the body what it truly needs. He adds a handful of berries to yogurt, and tops it with chia seeds and honey. The yogurt is packed with probiotics and calcium, both support gut-liver harmony and are key players in liver wellness. The berries are packed with antioxidants, and he notes that “these power fruits defend your liver cells.” The chia seeds, on the other hand, provide much-needed fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. These also help with digestion and have anti-inflammatory properties. Honey, on the other hand, naturally sweetens the breakfast, and the flavonoids present in it are nature’s liver protectors.
Later, around 7:30 am, the doctor grabs some snacks. He loves to munch on dates, walnuts, and dark chocolate. “Walnuts are rich in Omega-3s and Vitamin E, helping reduce fatty liver risk,” he says. Dates are packed with electrolytes, fiber, and slowly absorb sugar to provide energy.
“This balanced routine provides me with steady, sustained energy to thrive throughout the day!” the doctor reveals.
