How A Natural Liver Detox Can Rejuvenate Your Liver

Our body is composed of different organs that have complex functions. One of the most important ones is the liver which performs hundreds of roles.

Liver, for example, produces bile which is transported to the intestines so that it can digest and emulsify fats. Without this organ, many of the food we eat won’t be metabolized and used by our body.

Admittedly, the most important function of our liver is detoxification. Together with the kidneys, lungs, and digestive system, the liver plays a crucial role in transforming and removing harmful toxins in our body. For example, the liver changes ammonia, which is a harmful waste product, to urea so that it can be removed by the kidneys through urine.

When the liver and other detoxifying organs are in tip-top shape, your body will surely be cleansed and freed from harmful substances. However, if you are exposed or you ingest too much chemicals or foods full of preservatives and chemical enhancers, your liver and kidneys will have a hard time removing harmful toxins in your body.

Eating too many junk and processed foods for example will lead to the accumulation and piling up of harmful substances in your body. Most toxins in our body are stored in the intestines, liver, lymphatic system, and in fats. Too much toxins in our body can weaken our immune system and cause several health problems such as headaches, sluggishness, nausea, and pain issues among others. In general, toxins can make us more vulnerable to various disease-causing pathogens.

Detoxify Your Liver

One way to become healthy is to help our liver get rid of those toxins in our body. An easy way to detoxify the liver is to undergo a natural liver detox. There are various ways of cleansing the liver naturally. The simplest way of detoxifying the liver is using a liver cleansing product which is available in most local health food stores. Liver cleansing products can clear your liver of toxins and can also cleanse your whole body. Most of these products are composed of natural ingredients and medicinal herbs.

The most widely used method in detoxifying the liver is undergoing a liver detox diet. Undergoing this diet regimen means that you have to completely avoid carbonated beverages, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, canned, processed, and foods filled with preservatives and artificial flavorings. Your diet will mainly consist of raw and naturally grown fruits and vegetables free from pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals. Most importantly, you need to drink from 8-12 glasses of filtered water per day as this will greatly help your body system flush out those harmful toxins.

7-Day Detox

Most choose to undergo a detox diet for a week, but this entirely depends on your physician and your own preference. The meals are not fixed and you are free to combine different fruits and vegetables. Most people usually opt to have fruit and vegetable juices for the first 2 to 3 days. You can blend different fruits to make a fruit shake or just have a glass of water mixed with a raw squeezed lemon juice. For the remaining days, you can continue with your liquid diet but make sure to have meals that contain raw, stir-fried, or steamed vegetables. You can also add brown rice, fresh fruits, vegetable soups, white meat, and fish. After the diet regimen, make sure to continue eating green and leafy vegetables, fruits, and fish. Limit your intake of sugar, salt, fat, red meat, wheat, and canned and processed foods.

Besides adhering to a natural liver detox diet, you can also detoxify your liver by taking natural supplements that can help the liver to function properly. Studies have shown that S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) [http://www.lifeextensionvitamins.com/same.html] can support the liver and prevent liver diseases. You can start with taking 200mg of SAMe daily. Then you can ask your physician if you can increase the dose. Mostly they will recommend increasing it to almost 1 gram per day. To enhance SAMe absorption in the body, take supplements that contain vitamin B12 or folic acid.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle seeds have also shown to have properties that help to support the liver. Make a tea out of it by first crushing 1 tablespoon of milk thistle seeds. Put the crushed seeds in 3 cups of water and boil. After boiling, let it cool for at least 20 minutes. Finally, separate the seeds from the liquid by straining. Herbal experts recommend drinking 1 cup of the liquid 30 minutes before each meal every day.

Before going for a detox diet, make sure to consult your naturopathic physician. Detox diets are mainly contraindicated to pregnant and nursing women, or to young children and old adults. Those who have diabetes, eating disorders, or any chronic medical problems should not go on a detox diet.

A natural liver detox has a lot of benefits. It mainly helps to strengthen the immune system, promote weight loss, regulate sleep pattern, increase energy, and increase focus and attention. Though many health experts claim that these benefits are due to the removal of the toxins in the body, some say that the primary cause is the change in the diet. Eating organic and natural fruits and vegetables and avoiding processed food products can greatly help the body stabilize its system. Whether or not the toxins are the main culprits, it is still good to maintain a well-balanced diet filled with fruits and vegetables and less salt, sweet, and fatty foods.