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We all know that the liver helps in digestion due to the synthesis of bile, and also removes toxins from the body. The liver is a filter that provides a powerful detoxification function, thanks to which other organs and systems are protected from the action of poisons.
Many people imagine the function of the liver as follows: the blood filled with toxins passes through the liver and it, like a sponge, absorbs all the dangerous components, preventing them from spreading throughout the body. This means that the liver also needs to be cleansed. Even more people believe that liver cleansing is necessary every time after drinking excessive alcohol or unhealthy food. In addition, it is believed that detoxification helps to treat various diseases of the gland. But, as it turns out, everything is not so clear.
While some see liver cleansing as something indispensable, others argue that it does not need detox measures. But as often happens in such cases, the truth lies somewhere between the two cardinal versions. Our liver can indeed protect itself from toxins, but it also will not refuse additional help.
Why is it important to keep your liver healthy?
The liver performs many functions. But one of the most important ones assigned to the body is the metabolism of substances that can harm the body. She is also responsible for:
- removal of toxins in the blood;
- breakdown of alcohol;
- production and excretion of bile;
- destruction of old blood cells;
- production of enzymes;
- metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
- storage of vitamins, minerals and glycogen.
The liver performs these functions day after day, without interruption. If the load becomes excessive, she may need additional support in the form of a cleansing program. It is often possible to maintain the health and proper functioning of the body without pharmaceuticals, it is enough to adhere to a special detox diet.
How to recognize liver disorders
Only a doctor after a comprehensive examination of the patient can describe the state of the organ as accurately as possible. But there are some symptoms that may indicate abnormalities in the liver.
Typical signs of liver dysfunction:
- chronic fatigue;
- poor appetite;
- constipation;
- high blood pressure;
- acid reflux;
- heartburn;
- rosacea (rosacea);
- dark urine.
Any of these symptoms should be a reason to get tested. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe medication, and sometimes it will be possible to get by with only a special diet.
8 Steps to an Effective Liver Cleanse
Like most methods of detoxifying the body, “cleansing” the liver is a comprehensive program that primarily involves changes in the nutrition system. All foods that a person consumes in one way or another affect the condition of the liver. Let’s take a closer look at what you should pay attention to.
1. Eliminate toxic foods from your diet
If there are a lot of sweets and other harmful sweets, convenience foods, products saturated with trans fats and synthetic food additives in the diet, all this does not have the best effect on the condition of the liver.
It is very important to stick to a diet with a minimum content of fast carbohydrates. In addition, it is necessary to abandon products containing preservatives and synthetic food additives: sweet soda, chips, crackers, sweets with dyes and other preservatives.
Fast food and processed meats are usually very high in nitrates and nitrites, which are also associated with poor health, in particular problems in the digestive system. It is much more useful to replace harmful products with natural meat (boiled or baked).
Chips, crackers, glazed nuts are also unsafe for the liver. As snacks, it is more useful to choose fresh fruits, nuts without additives, dried fruits. Moreover, most of them are rich in components useful for the liver.
2. Eat fresh vegetables and juices from them
Most people would find it difficult to eat 4-5 servings of vegetables in one sitting. Namely, this amount of plant foods should be eaten, moreover, it must be done for several days in order to effectively cleanse the liver. In this case, the best alternative is vegetable juices, which are much easier to consume than huge portions of salads, but they are also useful for cleansing the gland of toxins. In addition, juices are easier to absorb and more quickly absorbed by the body. But it is important to consider that neither the vegetables themselves nor the juice from them should be heat-treated, since high temperatures can destroy vitamins, minerals and polyphenols, thereby making the product less useful.
The most suitable for detoxification are Brussels sprouts, white and cauliflower, cucumbers, beets, carrots and leafy vegetables. It is useful to add mint, parsley, lemon, lime, orange, ginger to juices from these vegetables. These products will not only improve the taste of the medicinal drink, but also enrich it with many vitamins and useful phytocomponents.
3. Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods
The daily intake of potassium for an adult is approximately 2,5 – 3 g. Many people know that this chemical element is good for the heart and blood vessels. But also potassium is very useful for the liver. Therefore, a detox diet should include foods rich in this element.
The best sources of potassium for a detox diet are sweet potatoes, tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, beet greens, beans, and bananas.
4. Pay attention to medicinal herbs
Milk thistle. Milk thistle (milk thistle) is considered the best plant for cleansing the liver. Its extract is used to cleanse the body in case of heavy metal poisoning, after prolonged use of pills (drugs are known to create a huge load on the liver), after alcohol abuse or prolonged smoking. In addition, milk thistle has a beneficial effect on the function of the liver of cancer patients after chemotherapy or radiotherapy, improving its condition. The composition of this plant contains the substance silymarin, which helps to strengthen and restore damaged liver cells. During the cleanse, milk thistle can be taken in the form of dietary supplements or brewed from it as a detox tea.
Dandelion. The root of this plant has a mild diuretic effect and is also known for its ability to quickly remove toxins from the liver. In addition, dandelion roots strengthen the immune system, relieve heartburn and treat digestive disorders.
Mug. In phytotherapy, burdock root products are used to cleanse the blood of toxic substances, as well as to treat liver diseases. From the root of burdock, you can prepare decoctions and take them during a cleansing diet.
Turmeric. Turmeric is a popular oriental spice. However, it can be useful not only in cooking, but also in medicine. This spice reduces joint pain, is an effective antidepressant, improves digestion, helps regulate blood sugar, and improves liver metabolism.
5. Monitor the amount of minerals and vitamins in the diet
One of the most beneficial foods for the human liver is calf or chicken liver. The fact is that this product is rich in vitamins A and B, folic acid, choline, iron, copper, zinc, chromium and coenzyme Q10. And all these components are indispensable for maintaining the proper functioning of the liver, its strengthening and recovery after intoxication of the body.
B vitamins are involved in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. By increasing the amount of B-group vitamins in the diet, liver function can be improved, in particular in terms of the breakdown of fats. In addition, regular intake of B vitamins helps increase energy and prevent chronic fatigue.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is beneficial for the entire body, including the liver. Eating foods rich in vitamin C helps detoxify the gland and fight free radicals.
Iron is a key element for making red blood cells, the red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen. Iron stores are stored in the liver. If the amount of this element is excessively low, anemia develops. But they shouldn’t be abused either. Excessive accumulation of the element in the liver cells can cause hemosiderosis of the liver and other organs.
6. To drink a lot of water
Everyone knows that every person should consume from 1,5 to 2 liters of pure water daily. As a detox, it is better to use the so-called detox drinks. The simplest recipe for such a drink is ordinary water with juice or lemon slices.
You can also drink the following composition:
- 1 glass of warm water;
- 2 Art. liter. apple cider vinegar;
- 2 Art. liter. lemon juice;
- 1 tsp chopped ginger;
- 0,25 tsp cinnamon;
- 1 pinch crushed cayenne pepper;
- 1 tsp honey
7. Reduce Visceral Fat
If there is an excess of adipose tissue in the body, then part of it accumulates around the liver and other organs – deep or visceral fat. This fat is different from subcutaneous fat, which accumulates in the outer layers of the body and gives a person a flabby appearance. But despite the fact that visceral fat cannot be seen with the naked eye, it is much more dangerous than subcutaneous fat. According to research conducted at the University of Illinois (USA), visceral fat can provoke inflammation in liver cells. With the help of a properly selected detox diet, you can reduce the amount of visceral fat that is unsafe for the gland.
8. Arrange fasting days
The so-called system of fasting days is popular among many nutritionists. The essence of the system is that once a week the daily calorie content of the diet should be reduced to the minimum allowable. Recently, a lot of research has been done on this topic, and scientists have found that the fasting days nutrition system has many advantages. In particular, following such a “diet” is useful for getting rid of excess fat, and also has a beneficial effect on stem cells, which are used to form the cells and tissues of most organs, including the liver. In other words, fasting days can accelerate the recovery of destroyed gland cells.
List of Liver Detox Foods
- garlic – contains about 40 components with antibacterial properties, activates the enzymes necessary to cleanse the liver;
- beets – rich in antioxidants, contributes to the proper production of bile, prevents the accumulation of fats in the gland;
- apples – contain pectin, which helps cleanse the digestive system of toxic components;
- broccoli – contains one of the most important substances for the liver – glutathione, it activates the production of detoxifying enzymes and protects the body from destruction;
- walnuts – improve blood circulation and accelerate the elimination of toxins from the body, rich in the amino acid arginine, which helps to neutralize and remove ammonia and toxic breakdown products of alcohol from the body;
- grapefruit and other citrus fruits – increase the production of enzymes necessary to cleanse the liver of toxins, help flush out carcinogens from the body;
- avocado – contains substances that increase the production of glutathione in the body, which is necessary for detoxification;
- olive, hemp and linseed oil – accelerate the excretion of harmful substances from the body, thereby easing the load on the liver.
Limitations in Detox Therapy
As a rule, diets designed to cleanse the liver are based on the principles of healthy eating and the elimination of junk food from the diet. But in some cases, a detox diet may be contraindicated for a person.
For elderly people, as well as those with a weakened immune system, unpasteurized juices may be contraindicated. Also, excessive consumption of concentrated natural drinks can be harmful for people with chronic kidney disease. Diabetics should also be careful about any diet, including detox. Despite the positive reviews about therapeutic fasting and fasting days, you can proceed to this item of the detox diet only after consulting a doctor. In the presence of hepatitis B, fasting can further worsen the condition of the gland.
Liver health is affected by many factors: the general condition of the body, genetic predisposition, ecology, lifestyle and, of course, nutritional principles. Sometimes it is enough to revise your daily diet a little to improve the condition of the liver, cleanse it of toxins and accelerate the regeneration of damaged cells.