The liver is a person's biggest internal organ. It serves as the body's filter and also is involved in metabolic processes, helps regulate fat storage, produces proteins, helps regulate blood flow, helps control blood sugar and supports the digestive system, according to nationally known nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman of Idaho. Proponents of liver detoxes advise that these will help support liver health and provide several benefits. The practice has many skeptics, however, including Harvard Medical School. It's best to speak with a health care provider before undergoing a detox program.
Weight Loss
Detoxifying the liver will help a person lose weight because it allows the liver to do its job better as the body's filter. It has a harder time distinguishing between substances like nutrients that the body needs and substances that should be filtered out of the bloodstream, according to Gittleman. The bottom line, she advises: The more toxic a person's body gets, the more difficulty that person experiences losing weight or keeping weight off. A detox also creates a metabolic environment that helps the body utilize fats and carbohydrates for energy, according to Ori Hofmekler, author of "The Anti-Estrogenic Diet."
Lowers Estrogen Levels
Detoxifying the liver helps to lower estrogen levels in the body, according to Hofmekler. That's because the liver is responsible for estrogen metabolism in the body. A healthier liver can better neutralize "estrogenic toxins," Hofmekler advises.
Better Bile
A liver detox leads to this organ's ability to produce better bile, advises Gittleman. Better bile reduces strain on the body's immune and digestive systems.
Other Effects
A liver detox has many other positive side effects. It boosts mental clarity, improves alertness and energy, and enhances skin tone, according to Gittleman's book, "The Fast Track Liver Detox." It also can help dieters break plateaus and assist people who are seeking to overcome issues such as caffeine addiction.
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