The liver is the largest organ in the body and performs hundreds of functions on a daily basis in order to keep the body healthy. It is essential for converting food into nutrients that the body can use and it stores fat, sugar, and certain types of vitamins and minerals that the body may later use, according to the University of Southern California's Department of Surgery. It is important to feed your body with proper nutrition for the liver to function optimally, but there are also various cleanses that may improve liver health and rid the organ of harmful toxins.
Raw Fruits and Vegetables
The liver primarily assists in digestion by helping to absorb fat and certain types of vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K. For this reason, it is vital that the liver obtain these substances from healthy raw foods such as fruits and vegetables, according to Dr. Sandra Cabot on LiverDoctor.com. Make green leafy vegetables, as well as orange, yellow, purple, and red colored fruits and vegetables 30 to 40 percent of your diet, as they are rich in healthy enzymes, vitamin C, natural antibiotic substances, and phytonutrients. Fruit and vegetable choices such as raw apples, oranges, bell peppers, spinach, kale, and Brussels sprouts can be eaten alone or added to your meals to promote a healthy liver cleanse.
Healthy Fats
Another type of effective liver cleanse involves eating healthy fats and oils. Dr. Cabot recommends avoiding all fats in foods such as full-cream dairy products, margarines and deep-fried foods, and sticking to healthy fats such as those found in seed oils, avocados, certain types of oily fish, raw fresh nuts, and flax seeds. Seeds may be added to low-fat yogurt, smoothies or cottage cheese. Instead of butter on bread and crackers, use hummus, pesto or tomato paste to receive the healthful benefits of a liver cleanse. These healthy fats are essential for building healthy cell membranes around the liver cells.
Fluids
One of the most important aspects of a liver cleanse is drinking plenty of fluids, according to Dr. Cabot. The best way to clear your liver of harmful toxins and foreign substances is to combine a healthy diet with large amounts of fluids including water, raw juices and teas. Drinking at least two liters of fluid every day will prevent constipation and help your kidneys eliminate toxins that the liver has broken down. If you drink water, use a sub-micron, solid carbon block water filter, as these can remove parasites and a number of other toxic chemicals. This type of cleanse will promote detoxification not only through the liver, but also through the skin and kidneys, as they get rid of toxins through sweating and urine.
Benefits
The liver is the major organ involved in detoxification, so a successful liver cleanse will provide many benefits for the entire body. According to LiverDetoxDiet.net, a liver cleanse can help to repair the digestive system, promote healthy liver function, maintain levels of beneficial intestinal bacteria, cleanse the bowel system, and assist in removing dead skin cells while stimulating blood flow to the skin's surface. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist for more information about the right liver detox diet for you.
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