Your liver performs dozens of vital functions, including glycogen storage, processing fats, producing hormones and proteins, and processing waste products in preparation for export from the body. Prolonged fasting and other practices designed to detoxify the liver can be harsh, unpleasant and potentially harmful when done improperly or without supervision. Conversely, when you incorporate daily habits that include healthful liver-supportive foods, supplements and practices, it can have a better overall effect on your liver.
Good and Bad Fats
Dr. Sandra Cabot, author of the book "The Liver Cleansing Diet," advocates phasing out fats that are difficult for the liver to process, such as whole-milk dairy products and other high-saturated-fat animal products. Other sources of fat that are harmful to the liver are hydrogenated oils and deep fried foods. Choose oils that are cold-processed to preserve their healthful qualities, such as cold-pressed sunflower and olive oil. Some oils, such as borage, flax, lecithin and evening primrose are used in smaller quantities for their liver and other healing properties. Another option is to replace butter or margarine with nut and bean spreads.
Phytonutrients
Many plant foods contain an array of substances that have healing and detoxifying properties that directly aid the liver in its detoxifying functions, Cabot says. One notable phytochemical found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables is sulphoraphane. Other phytochemicals, such as those in soy products, have mild hormonal effects and can ease the burden on the liver to produce these, particularly if the raw materials for them are below the body's requirement.
Hydration
When water is not available to carry wastes out of the body, the wastes accumulate. Many fasting-style cleanses involve drinking large quantities of water or water-based cleansing juices. While this is meant to flush toxins out, much can be also accomplished daily by staying well-hydrated. According to Disabled-world.com, even mild dehydration impairs the ability of the kidneys to filter out the wastes that the liver places in the bloodstream. If municipal water is high in toxins or parasites, a filter should be used. Uncaffeinated and herbal teas are acceptable sources of water as well. Caffeinated beverages have a dehydrating effect and should not be included as a source of hydration.
Supplementation
Certain nutrients are worth considering taking daily in their supplement form in addition to obtaining them through a healthful diet. Notable examples include antioxidant vitamins A, C, D, E and K, as well as certain minerals, including selenium. The amino acid methionine contains the methyl component the liver uses in preparing toxins for export from the body, according Tuberose.com. Essential fatty acids, which ensure proper liver function in the production of lipids and hormones, can be added in capsules or by the teaspoon.
Eat Fresh Foods
Eating fresh foods ensures the highest nutritional content and eating those foods raw whenever possible provides the added benefit of enzymes, which help digest the food and release the nutrients, including those that aid liver function. Additionally, avoid moldy or spoiled foods. Many molds, such as aspergillus, are harmful to the liver. Bacteria can cause gastrointestinal infection, which stresses the liver by making it work harder to assist in overcoming the infection, according to Inspectapedia.com.
Member Comments