Our World is growing constantly. We have advanced rapidly in the field of medicine and life is so much better, however, diseases are increasing even more swiftly. The environment we live in is more toxic than ever before. We indulge in eating processed food more often these days. Water pollution is on the rise. The air we breathe is ever so more hazardous. Pesticides we use, chemicals that have become part of our daily life. We have started living in a very noxious environment that eventually might lead to numerous health disorders. We can go on and on, about how poisonous our environment has become, but the bottom line is, that your body is in dire need of a serious, well-deserved detox in today’s industrialized world. You need to get rid of all these harmful toxins. An all-natural, liver detox is the best way to do it.

Why Liver Detox Is Vital?

The liver is the largest gland in the human body, that sits above the belly and below the lungs. As a body organ, it is the second largest after the skin. It is the only known body organ that can regenerate. It is believed to be responsible for nearly 500 different functions in the human body, majorly in collaboration with the other body organs. The most important of these functions are:

• Blood Filtration: The chief role of the liver is to filter the blood coming from the stomach and the intestines (digestive tract) and remove any harmful contaminants before passing the blood to the rest of the body.
• Bile Production: Another major function of the liver is the production of bile, which is basically, the combination of bile salts, bilirubin, cholesterol, electrolytes, and water. This helps your body break down the fats and minerals in the small intestines.
• Metabolizing Bilirubin: Bilirubin helps in the process of breaking down hemoglobin and extracting iron from it, which will then be stored in your liver or bone marrow, which as mentioned before, helps in making new blood cells.
• Maintaining Glucose Level: Carbohydrates are stored in the liver. It breaks them down into glucose which is then sent into the bloodstream to maintain the normal glucose level in the body.
• Vitamin Storehouse: A liver is capable of holding significant amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B12, Iron, and Copper. It can release them whenever your body needs them or during the production of new red blood cells.
• Blood Clotting: vitamin K is absolutely essential for the creation of coagulants that help clot the blood. Bile which is produced in the liver is responsible for extracting and absorbing Vitamin K.

Signs & Symptoms of Abnormal Liver Functioning

The liver plays a vital role in a healthy body and should always perform optimally. If you are facing a few of the following signs and symptoms, then your liver is probably not functioning as it should be.

• Acid Reflux or heartburn.
• Bloating or gas.
• High blood pressure.
• Inability to lose weight.
• Dark-colored urine.
• Excessive sweating.
• Yellow skin or eyes (Jaundice scenario)
• Poor Appetite
• Fatigue and tiredness.
• Anxiousness or depression or mood swings.
• Slow blood clotting.
• Redness on nose and cheeks. (Rosacea)

Did You Know?

The liver is the only visceral organ that can regenerate. It is such an important organ with so many functions, that evolution has gifted us with the power of its regeneration. It is able to regrow to its full size as long as a minimum of 25 percent of its tissue is healthy. Depending on the complication of the damaged organ and some other factors, it might take 8-15 days for a liver to completely regrow to its original size while performing all or most of its bodily functions.

This regeneration ability of the liver is found in all vertebrates (animals with spinal cords surrounded by bones or cartilage, for example, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals).

15 Super Foods For Liver Detox, Naturally

Detoxifying your liver doesn’t have to mean sacrificing taste for health. Discover a delicious array of natural options that cleanse your liver without harsh chemicals or restrictions. These 15 hidden gems are not only easy on your palate but also pack a powerful punch in supporting liver health.

Garlic

Most people can’t bear garlic because of its strong odor and taste. But what you did not know is, that garlic is loaded with Sulphur which activates liver enzymes that help flush out those nasty toxins from your body. Garlic also contains selenium and arginine, two nutrients that cleanse the blood vessels and regulates blood pressure.

Additionally, garlic has been shown to have antioxidant properties, which can protect the liver from oxidative damage. Regular consumption of garlic as part of a healthy diet can support overall liver detox.

Beets & Carrots

Carrots and beets are root vegetables that are not only high in nutrients but very effective in protecting your liver. Carrots contain a protein called glutathione and carotenoids, while beets contain betalains, which help to detoxify the liver by neutralizing harmful toxins in your body.

Beets and carrots are also super-rich in plant flavonoids and beta-carotene, which fuels and develops overall liver health and its functioning.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is a tasty citrus fruit that like carrots, contains glutathione. They also contain a large amount of Vitamin C and antioxidants that boost the production of liver detoxification enzymes, that help flush out carcinogens and other toxins from your body. Additionally, they also escalate the natural cleansing process of the liver. You can have it as a fruit itself or make grapefruit juice.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a magical spice, that is particularly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Curcumin, an ingredient found in turmeric, helps keep the bile healthy and prevents inflammation due to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Turmeric also promotes liver cell regeneration and boosts liver cleansing by aiding enzymes that flush out dietary toxins from our bodies. Turmeric spice goes along many dishes, so you can have plenty of turmeric intake. You can also try adding turmeric to warm milk, as is the ritual in India when it comes to pain relief. It is not pleasant in taste but works wonders.

Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy green vegetables are our strongest allies when it comes to liver detoxification. They are super rich in chlorophyll, which absorbs environmental toxins from our bloodstream. They also nullify the effect of heavy metals, chemicals, and pesticides, greatly reducing the burden on this vital organ.

These vegetables also contain high amounts of fiber, which is important for promoting regular bowel movements and aiding in the elimination of toxins from the body.

Green leafy veggies also help in the creation of bile, which removes waste from our organs and bloodstream. Spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, arugula, kale, collard greens, etc. are some of the prime vegetables that you incorporate into your diet for all-natural liver detox.

Green Tea

Green tea beverage contains a plant-based antioxidant called “catechins”, which assist in liver detox. In addition, green tea has been shown to increase the production of liver enzymes, which help break down and remove toxins from the body.

Please be advised that it is the green tea that is effective and not the green tea extract. It is important to understand the difference between the two. Green tea extract may have a negative impact on the liver.

Lemons & Limes

Lemons and limes contain Vitamin C in abundance. Numerous scientific research has proven that Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps in liver detoxification. It helps break down toxic materials into elements that can be easily absorbed by water.

Studies have also shown that the citric acid in lime and lemons helps to stimulate the liver, promoting the production of bile and aiding in the elimination of toxins from the body. Lemons pack a powerful punch in supporting liver health and overall wellness through their Vitamin C content and citric acid, making them a must-have in your liver detox regimen.

Walnuts

Walnuts are a good source of the amino acid arginine, which helps in the detoxification of ammonia. They are also high in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids, which support normal liver function. Additionally, the fiber in walnuts can aid in the elimination of waste and toxins from the body.

It is recommended that you completely chew down the walnuts until it liquefies in your mouth, before swallowing them.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a type of monounsaturated fat that was originally used in Mediterranean cuisines. However, the world has recently acknowledged its health benefits and many have switched to olive oil for other cooking needs.

Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive oil, hemp, and flaxseed oil, when used in moderation, provide the liver, with the necessary building blocks to produce bile, which is important for breaking down and removing toxins from the body. They are also high in antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which help neutralize harmful toxins.

Avocados

Avocados are a fruit that is now considered as a superfood with numerous nutrients. It helps the liver in creating glutathione, which is essential for the liver to remove harmful toxins from the body.

Additionally, just like olive oil, Avocados contain a high level of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which aid the liver in producing bile. The fiber content is good as well, so it will help with regulating your bowel movements and thus flushing the toxins from your body.

Apples

Apples have various benefits for your body. As the old saying goes “Apple a day, keeps the doctors away”.

Apples are loaded with pectin, a type of soluble fiber that helps in cleansing and releasing toxins from your digestive tract. Eating Apples helps ease the burden on the liver, enabling it to handle the toxic load during the liver detox process.

Dandelion

Dandelion root tea is a type of herbal tea made from the root of the dandelion plant. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine as a liver tonic and has been used to support liver health and aid in detoxification.

Dandelion root tea assists the liver in breaking down fats in the body. It also helps in producing amino acids which aid in removing toxins from the body.

Asparagus

Asparagus is a vegetable from the lily family. It is prized for its delicate flavor and tender texture. Once, it used to be the costliest vegetable and was available in very high-end restaurants. But now it is used in a variety of dishes as a nutritional ingredient.

Asparagus, like a few above-mentioned food items, contains glutathione, which helps eliminate harmful toxins from your body. It also helps in the increased production of urine, which further helps in the cleansing process and reduces the detox burden of the liver and the kidneys.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes, the fruit, is widely used, everywhere and in most cuisines. They are super-rich in glutathione and Vitamin C, two very powerful antioxidants, which as mentioned above, are great detoxifiers. Tomatoes also contain lycopene that not only eliminates harmful toxins but also protects against breast, skin, and lung cancer. Additionally, it also has a good amount of fiber which promotes regular bowel movement and flushes out those toxins.

Alternative Grains

Gluten-rich grains like wheat, rye, and many other standard grains, increase the load on the liver’s various detox functions and slows down enzyme production. It is advisable to switch to alternative grains like quinoa, millet, oats, cornmeal, rice, and buckwheat.

Things To Avoid

You should reduce or completely avoid some food items during the liver detox process. Such as:

1. Processed Food: Processed food is called junk food for a reason. They are super unhealthy as they are high in artificial additives, and preservatives and often prepared in very unhealthy fats. Such food can contribute to inflammation of the liver and put you at risk of liver disease.
2. Alcohol: Alcohol is an enemy of the liver. It hampers normal functioning and studies have shown it to be toxic to your liver. You should completely avoid the consumption of alcohol during the liver detox process.
3. Sugar: Food and beverages high in sugar such as desserts, sweet beverages, and candies should be avoided at all costs. Such food increases insulin levels in the body which stores fat in the liver and hinders its normal functioning.
4. Red Meat: You should reduce the consumption of red meat during the cleansing process as it put a high strain on the liver.
5. Artificial Sweeteners: According to some scientific studies, artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharin, have been shown to have a toxic effect on the liver and thus should be completely avoided during a liver detox.

You should try all-natural liver detox at least twice a year for a healthy lifestyle.

Also, it is recommended that you consult your healthcare before you make any detox or dietary changes, just to be on the safer side.

Stay healthy and stay happy!

For reference and the functioning of the liver, you can check this page: Wikipedia.

I would also recommend that you read about “15 Foods that aid Weight Loss“.