We live in a world of toxins, and your liver plays a major role in removing environmental and dietary toxins from your body. Common toxins include those that are found in everyday cleaning and body care products, processed foods and drinks, and environmental pollution, such as pesticides and heavy metals.
How well your body removes these sorts of toxins depends on your liver function. When liver function isn't optimal, it can lead to a range of problems due to toxin being allowed to buildup, and this can interfere with the digestion of food and fats in the body and lead to much more serious health conditions if left untreated.
The Functions of the Liver
The liver processes the nutrients that are absorbed by the intestines. It breaks down and metabolizes medications and alcohol, removes toxins from the blood, such as ammonia and bilirubin, and regulates the blood's composition of protein, fat, and sugar.
It's well known that excessive alcohol consumption can damage the liver, but other factors may also lead to liver disease and damage, including:
- Some medications, including acetaminophen
- Malnutrition
- Exposure to environmental chemicals
- Chronic hepatitis B
Other risk factors for poor liver function include:
- Low potassium levels in the body
- Heavy alcohol use and IV drug abuse
- Exposure to industrial chemicals
- Obesity
- A diet high in saturated fats and processed foods
- Tattoos and body piercings
- Viral infections
- Autoimmune diseases
Signs and Symptoms of Impaired Liver Function
A number of signs and symptoms may be related to reduced liver function, especially if you're exposed to large amounts of toxins. Some of the indications of impaired liver function include:
- Bloating and gas
- Acid reflux and heartburn
- Constipation
- Overweight and the inability to lose weight
- Dark urine
- Easy bruising
- Chronic fatigue
- Excessive sweating
- Poor appetite
A liver cleanse can improve the function of the liver and reduce these symptoms.
How to Cleanse Your Liver
A liver cleanse may be just what the doctor ordered to help get your liver functioning optimally again. A cleanse can increase your energy and vitality for better overall health and well-being. Here, in a nutshell, is the best way to cleanse your liver.
Eliminate toxic foods from your diet. During your cleanse, remove processed foods from your diet. These include foods containing added sugar, hydrogenated oils, and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Replace unhealthy foods with whole foods, including fruits and vegetables, beans and legumes, seeds and nuts, and whole grains.
Drink raw vegetable juice and eat raw vegetables. Vegetables are central to cleaning your liver. Drinking raw vegetable juice helps to reduce acid levels in the body for a better pH balance. The high fiber content in raw vegetables helps to eliminate toxins from the body, and it provides your body with essential nutrients.
Eat potassium-rich foods. Potassium helps keep your blood pressure normalized, and it supports lower cholesterol and a healthy heart in addition to cleansing your liver. Potassium-rich foods include sweet potatoes, tomato sauces, spinach, beans, and bananas.
Try a coffee enema. A coffee enema stimulates the liver to increase bile flow for better cleansing function. During a coffee enema, the coffee is held in your bowel, and it enters the liver through the intestinal wall. It sparks the production of glutathione, which helps to release toxins built up in your system.
Take a supplement. Milk thistle, turmeric, dandelion, and other substances have powerful liver-cleansing properties.
Milk thistle helps eliminate heavy metals from the body, and it cleanses environmental pollutants and alcohol from the liver.
Turmeric supports healthy liver tissue and metabolism, and dandelion root has a natural diuretic effect that promotes faster elimination of toxins from the liver.
Thrive Naturals' Liver & Kidney Cleanse contains these ingredients along with other powerful cleansing ingredients, including chicory root, ginger, and beet root.
Keeping your liver working optimally is a matter of avoiding toxins as much as possible. Choose nontoxic cleaning products, use all-natural soaps and body care products, avoid artificial fragrances, and eat mostly whole, unprocessed foods. Better liver function brings better overall health and well-being for a long healthy life.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC32393...
