Liver cleanses claim to rid the body of toxins and impurities, but they are controversial because there is little science to support their use. Products that claim to detox the liver might even be dangerous, and the United States Food and Drug Administration FDA do not regulate them.

In this article, we look at how liver cleanses claim to work and what evidence exists to support them. A healthy liver can detoxify almost everything that a person encounters.

The liver is on the right side of the body, just under the rib cage,. When the liver is diseased, the body cannot filter out toxic substances as efficiently. This can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:.

A variety of natural health practitioners, supplement companies, and medical websites argue that the liver accumulates toxins during the filtering process. They insist that over time, these toxins can cause a range of nonspecific symptoms and may even cause serious diseases or increase the risk of cancer.

There is little evidence to support this. Over time, however, exposure to chemicals can damage the liver.

For example, drinking alcohol is a well-known way to ruin liver function over time. While liver failure is a serious health problem, there is no evidence that dangerous toxins accumulate in otherwise healthy livers without specific exposure to large amounts of these chemicals.

Mainstream medical practitioners argue that the liver does not need detoxing and that doing so might even be dangerous. A healthy liver naturally cleanses itself.

An unhealthy liver will not get better with a liver cleanse. A person with liver disease needs proper medical treatment and may require lifestyle or dietary changes. Some evidence suggests that supplements, such as milk thistle, may improve liver health.

However, there is no evidence that these supplements will detox the liver, or that they can cure any liver condition. Supporters believe that flushing the liver of toxins can improve metabolism, but there is no evidence to support this claim.

This is because the body adjusts to the low nutrient intake by absorbing nutrients more slowly. Some diets that claim to improve liver health require people to consume few calories for several days.

This can result in temporary weight loss. Much of the weight loss, however, is water weight, which will return once a person begins to eat normally again. While it is not possible to cleanse the liver with any specific food or combination of foods, doctors may recommend dietary changes to people with liver disease.

For most people , avoiding very fatty foods and alcohol can reduce the risk of liver disease. People with healthy livers do not need to adopt specific diets. Simply eating a balanced, whole food, varied diet and limiting alcohol intake will help preserve liver health. Some simple strategies that can reduce the risk of liver disease and help the liver rid the body of toxins include:.

In some cases, they may even be dangerous. A healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, and regular consultations with a doctor are far more valuable to the health of the liver than any fad diet or cleanse. Liver cleanses offer no proven benefits.

To protect liver health, people can adopt a more comprehensive, long-term health strategy. Liver supplements claim to help people maintain a healthy liver. Learn more about whether liver supplements work and how to keep a liver healthy, here.

Detox diets claim to rid the body of toxic substances, but there is currently no good quality scientific evidence to support their use. Detoxing involves helping the body remove harmful substances, usually through eating certain foods.

Here, learn which dietary changes can help and why. In most cases, the organs in the body cleanse the blood without any extra help.

In this article, learn about blood cleansers and whether they work. Parasite cleanses aim to rid the body of parasitic infections, such as worms. I also recommend seven-day liver detoxes a year. Use the seasons as markers to enter the next season feeling strong and refreshed from the inside out.

Incorporating an additional seasonal detox on top of a damage-limitation lifestyle gives your liver a powerful and enriching cleanse that positively impacts your overall health.

It is a fantastic way of giving your system a boost. If you follow the EBS lifestyle program, you already support your digestive health and keep inflammation down. It is good to remember that the liver is the organ that most influences how we feel.

Tuning into how you feel will help you understand your body more. Listen to my thoughts on moderation and why it is important to go easy on yourself when embarking on a health journey:. Spotify: Mindset Tips for Long-Term Health. Apple: Mindset Tips for Long-Term Health. Gift an EBS membership today and share your anti-inflammatory lifestyle journey with friends and family.

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Start here to learn how to use the platform and how to get the most out of your Eat Burn Sleep membership. January 19, A Guide For Natural Weight Loss Hi Everyone! Which Detox Is Best?

Is It Necessary to Detox? Is Fasting Good for You? What Happens to Our Body When We Fast? Are Extreme Detoxes Good for Weight Loss?

What Are the Benefits of a Liver Detox? How Does Detoxification Work? What Are Signs of Stress in the Liver? How Do We Regulate Our Hormones? What Happens When You Cut Down on Toxins? Which Is the Best Liver Detox Program?

Further Liver Detox Recommendations Which Detox Is Best? Unfortunately, many lifestyles, dietary choices, and environmental toxins hinder its process. Also, your body will often thank you for a reset after holidays or vacations! Oftentimes, a safe and supported detox is a necessity.

You also need plenty of water! Two simultaneous things happen in our body when we fast: We produce Cortisol. Fasting is generally more beneficial for men than women. The answer to that is no! Often, extreme regimes can accompany and cause extreme behaviors, which is unhealthy.

You are upsetting your gut flora balance and subsequent moods and can cause more harm than good. Yes — a safe, healthy liver cleansing detox includes real foods! By optimizing your health, life can be enjoyed even more in the longer term.

The liver is a crucial immunological organ that is responsible for over functions, and among those it: Cleanses the blood from microbes Performs detoxification by metabolizing drugs, toxins, and alcohol Performs bile production and secretion Is responsible for metabolizing old red blood cells Performs hormone homeostasis balancing out hormones Metabolizes glucose, fat, and protein Supports heat production and so much more As a result, it is crucial to have good liver function for overall health.

Phase I, II, and III of detoxification : Before Phase, I , or during Phase Zero , toxins enter our cells generally our liver cells , or toxins can also exit a storage cell in our body generally an adipocyte or fat cell.

Digestive issues Dark urine Body aches and pains Headaches Skin rashes and itches Nausea Fatigue Intolerance to smells Mood swings Liver stress could also manifest in other areas like lack of sleep, weight fluctuations, vision issues, bad breath, low libido, allergies, and dizziness.

It is another reason why the Eat Burn Sleep program is so successful. With a happy gut and liver and low inflammation in the body, we reap the benefits: Clarity of mind Happier mood Improved mental health Better body composition Clear and youthful skin Healthier hair Higher energy levels Decreased levels of chronic inflammation overall.

This is known as the healing crisis. Further Liver Detox Recommendations At the stage when supplements are introduced, they have to be of the highest quality.

Please make sure that you take supplements produced by reputable companies. You can detox for 14 or 21 days if your toxic load is high. So, should you do a detox? Make it a liver detox recommended by a health professional — and not just once a year.

Side effects: Feelings of increased happiness! Have a fantastic day! Pinterest Facebook Twitter Copy Link. Author Yalda Alaoui. Continue Reading. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Annual Membership.

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In the liver, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A to help flush out the toxins in the body while reducing fat in the liver. The high fiber content helps support a healthy digestive tract, hastening the elimination of toxins in your body.

The ginger root helps soothe the digestive tract, reduce intestinal gas and has strong anti-inflammatory compounds. The fresh oranges in this recipe not only add tangy sweetness, but also add significant vitamin C, additional vitamin A and vitamin B6. Potassium-rich foods help lower systolic blood pressure , reduce cholesterol and support a healthy cardiovascular system , in addition to helping cleanse your liver.

If you have been tempted to take potassium supplements, instead add these healthful foods to your diet:. Surprisingly, it is not the banana that is the richest in potassium. It is the sweet potato. A single medium sweet potato contains more than milligrams of potassium, not to mention the high fiber and beta-carotene content.

A sweet potato is rich with vitamins B6, C and D, along with magnesium and iron. While naturally sweet, the sugars actually are slowly released into the bloodstream through the liver, without causing a spike in blood sugar. Potassium — and the other beneficial nutrients in tomatoes — is significantly concentrated as a sauce, puree or as a paste.

When selecting tomato sauce, paste or puree, be sure to choose those made only from organic tomatoes. To make your own concentrated tomato sauce, slice organic tomatoes in half, and roast face down in the oven for 30 minutes at degrees F, until the skin has shriveled.

Remove from the oven, and let cool. Slide the skins off, and gently crush in your food processor or blender. Strain to remove seeds, if you desire. Pour into a Dutch oven, and let simmer until thick, one to two hours.

Rich in antioxidants, beet greens are loaded with potassium. Add beets and beet greens to your fresh vegetable juice recipe; finely chop and add raw to salads; or sauté lightly, like other greens.

Beets also naturally cleanse the gallbladder and improve bile flow. White beans, kidney beans and lima beans are all rich in potassium, protein and fiber.

Swap out garbanzo beans for one of these potassium-rich beans in your favorite hummus recipe. Enjoy it with carrot sticks and celery sticks. In addition to potassium, blackstrap molasses is rich with iron, calcium, manganese and copper. Incorporate blackstrap molasses into your diet by replacing other natural sweeteners with it.

You can use it to create barbecue sauces and to top oatmeal or quinoa porridge in the mornings. Two teaspoons added to coffee intensifies the richness of the coffee, while lowering the acidic taste. And finally, add a banana to your favorite smoothie.

Bananas assist in digestion and help release toxins and heavy metals from the body — all of which are essential during a liver cleanse. Please note: If you have high levels of potassium in your kidneys, foods rich in potassium should be consumed moderately.

Coffee enemas help with constipation , reduce fatigue and aid in liver detoxification. An enema targets the lower portion of your large intestine and can be done at home, unlike colonics, which include the entire bowel and are performed outside the home by a professional.

During the enema, organic coffee is retained in your bowel, allowing the fluid to enter the liver through the intestinal wall. This has a stimulating effect that increases bile flow, helping jump-start both your gallbladder and your liver.

This sparks the production of the chemical glutathione, a strong cleansing compound that helps release the buildup of toxins in your system. Combine two tablespoons of organic ground coffee with three cups of filtered or distilled water in a pot, and bring to a boil.

Simmer gently for 15 minutes, and allow to cool. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth, and use in your enema kit. Milk thistle helps eliminate the buildup of heavy metals , prescription medications, environmental pollutants and alcohol in the liver.

In addition, it helps reduce the negative effects on the liver after chemotherapy and radiation. Research indicates that the active ingredient silymarin helps strengthen the cell walls in the liver, while supporting healthy regeneration. Most homeowners hate the dandelion, as it populates yards every spring, but, this flower and its roots are actually packed with vitamins and minerals.

Dandelion root has a natural diuretic effect, allowing your liver to more quickly eliminate toxins. It also helps strengthen the immune system , balance blood sugar levels , relieve heartburn and soothe digestive upset. Burdock root is another option in the same plant family as dandelions that can help detox your system by cleansing the blood, therefore helping support liver function.

Like milk thistle, both dandelion root and burdock root can be taken in both supplement form or as a detox tea. Turmeric supports healthy liver tissue and liver metabolism.

You can also purchase a liver support supplement that combines many of these key botanicals, such as milk thistle seed, dandelion root, beet root and bupleurum root to help detoxify the liver, assist in healthy liver function and also work as an anti-inflammatory.

Liver from young, healthy, grass-fed cattle or chicken liver is rich with vitamins A and B, folic acid, choline, iron, copper, zinc, chromium, and CoQ Liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods we can eat and unsurprisingly an organ-nourishing food. Seek a supplement that guarantees no hormones, pesticides or antibiotics are used in the feeding and care of the cattle.

In addition to the healthy foods and supplements mentioned above, you can give your liver a boost by starting with a quick, hour liver cleanse. In the seven days prior to this short cleanse, eat the following liver detox foods:. Avoid any processed foods, and eat free-range organic meats, refined carbohydrates and gluten sparingly.

This preparation will help facilitate the cleanse. During the week you are preparing your body, also try this Secret Detox Drink.

It boosts your energy and helps you detox and cleanse the liver. This recipe calls for apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and water. Then, during the week of your cleanse try this liver detox drink.

This recipe will help support your body while cleansing. You should consume a minimum of 72 ounces of this mixture and 72 ounces of water. After one day of the cranberry juice blend, reintroduce the foods you ate in preparation for the liver cleanse. Weight loss struggles are often accompanied by symptoms like low energy, constant cravings, and poor digestion.

And when we take a closer look, underlying these symptoms are hormone imbalance, poor detox function, and inflammation—all of which are key indicators that your liver may not be functioning optimally. Finding solutions to help with weight loss for women can be exhausting, and it is never a one-size-fits-all solution.

Through holistic medicine, you can discover the right weight loss solution for you. One thing that nearly everyone can benefit from to support liver health is a simple and holistic plan to remove toxins and metabolic waste that can build up and contribute to weight gain, sluggish detox function, and hormone imbalance.

What is sometimes well-intentioned advice can leave you with an extremely restrictive, low-calorie protocol that does little if anything to support the actual detox processes your body could be struggling with.

There are two things your liver does that are extremely important for metabolism. The first, is handling carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Your liver converts excess carbohydrates into fatty acids and triglycerides, and readies them for storage as fat tissue.

The second thing your liver does, it performs with the help of other systems. Your liver packages toxins, excess hormones, metabolic waste, and any other compound ready for elimination. Abdominal fat, or fat around your belly, is one of the most common complaints for men and women.

Excess fat around the belly can hinder healthy organ function and produce excess inflammation that affects your entire body. When your liver is overworked, you may also struggle to maintain a healthy blood sugar balance.

This could be due to a condition known as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is notorious for creating stubborn belly fat 2.