You can effectively detoxify your liver by eating cleansing foods, avoiding harmful substances and committing to healthy lifestyle habits. Whether you want to stick strictly to a detox diet for a 7- or 10-day cleanse or simply want to introduce a few more liver-purifying agents into your present eating regimen, your body can benefit from any conscientious effort towards eating right. Here are a few cleansing tips to keep in mind.
What to drink for cleansing the liver
Water
Loading up on water will help flush the toxins out of your body and purify the state of your digestive system including your liver. Drink eight to ten glasses a day of nature’s best beverage.
Herbal tea with added lemon juice
Daily adding lemon juice to herbal tea can help stimulate the liver’s enzyme and bile production, which aids in getting rid of toxins.
Fruit juice blend
The berry family, including raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, is known for increasing the overall health and condition of the liver. Grapefruit is another special, liver-cleansing option that is high in vitamin C and antioxidants with the ability to aid in the production of liver-detoxifying enzymes that help send toxins packing.
Vegetable smoothies
Leafy green vegetables like spinach are natural cleansers with the ability to neutralize chemicals, absorb toxins and increase the flow of waste removal in your digestive system. Carrots can also help stimulate and improve the function of your liver so don’t forget to add them to the mixer when creating your own green smoothie. Toss in a handful of spinach leaves, a handful of kale chunks, a half of a carrot and a few raspberries in with a cup of almond milk for your base. If desired, go ahead and add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to help your body get the protein it needs without introducing something hard to digest.
What to eat for detoxifying the liver
Walnuts
The satisfying nut actually detoxes the liver and supports additional cleansing functions for a full-service purifier. Eat a small handful for a protein snack in between meals or add the walnuts on top of a salad or other liver-friendly dish.
Avocados
The yummy treat helps protect the liver and lower your cholesterol, helping your body overall to stay healthy and pure.
Brussels sprouts
The humble vegetable may not be the tastiest option out there, but brussels sprouts help eliminate dietary and environmental toxins while also assisting in the release of damage-blocking enzymes that aid in protecting the liver.
Tomatoes
Fresh, uncooked tomatoes can pack a helpful punch when it comes to detoxifying the liver and protecting the body against all sorts of diseases.
Turmeric
The fresh spice helps your liver by enhancing the regeneration of cells, increasing bile production and in safeguarding the organ from toxins.
Cilantro
The useful herb aids in detoxification by helping eliminate unwanted metals from the body. Add the fresh version to salads, smoothies and lean proteins.
Garlic
Garlic helps rid the body of toxins at large in addition to activating relevant enzymes in the liver. However, the herb’s helpful traits are at their best when consumed raw so consider adding slices of the uncooked clove to a salad or green smoothie.
Asparagus
The natural diuretic is good for your liver and your digestive system in general.
What to avoid for the sake of your liver
Alcohol
If you care about your liver at all, stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol damage to the liver is a serious problem and one of the major causes of fatty liver disease. During the metabolism of alcohol, toxins are produced that destroy the organ’s health.
Medicines
Medication can introduce unnatural substances into our system, which can contaminate and be harmful to the body. The most zealous detox diets prohibit the use of medications and certain supplements, but you have to do what’s right considering your circumstances. Minimizing the number of medicines you use, however, can help in detoxifying your body and keeping your liver strong and protected.
Harmful fats
Healthful foods like avocados have fat, but they have the right kind of fat: monounsaturated. To keep your liver free of fatty liver disease and your body free of other eating-related illnesses, minimize your consumption of saturated fat and trans fat including products like cheese, butter, fatty meats, hydrogenated oils, bacon, ice cream and pizza.
Artificial sweeteners, colors and preservatives
Sticking to fresh and natural options can help you avoid introducing toxins into your system that trigger unwanted byproducts when foods are metabolized. Overly processed foods are often high in calories and low in nutrition anyway so just skip them altogether.
What additional practices will help your liver
Fiber and exercise
Your body is naturally designed to process chemicals and to get rid of the toxins through urinating, defecating and sweating. In order to make sure all three processes are in working order, you have to cover all three bases.
We have already discussed drinking enough water everyday, but make sure you are also getting the fiber you need in order to avoid constipation. Additionally, formulate a solid exercise schedule that keeps you regularly working up a sweat. Maintaining an appropriate level of physical activity will aid digestion and your body’s health overall, preventing unwanted conditions like fatty liver disease as well as a host of other medical circumstances that come from inactivity.
Natural skincare, hair and makeup products
Because what you put on your skin can be absorbed further into your system, you should also take care to avoid harmful contaminants when using soaps, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, hair styling products, foundations, eye products and so on. Look for natural options that are free of artificial fragrances, synthetic chemicals, toxic preservatives and harsh detergents.
Talking with your doctor
If you’re concerned about your liver, talk with a medical professional about your particular circumstances. You shouldn’t rely on a self-administered detox diet to solve all of your problems and you shouldn’t maintain an irregular and nutritionally-limiting eating plan over a long period of time. Be wise and conservative when it comes to ignoring extreme trends and sticking to what’s tried and true in the world of eating low-calorie, nutrient-rich foods that are natural and healthful.
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