Our liver is the master filter in our body, which means it’s a major detox organ. It performs over 500 functions including cleansing our blood, metabolizing hormones, making bile to help with digestion (it helps us absorb fat) and it stores glucose as glycogen for when we need extra energy.
How the liver works?
When we indulge more than we should, especially around the holidays, our liver gets overloaded and has to work harder to filter everything. Our body has a way of letting us know when our liver needs some extra TLC. For example, when my liver gets overloaded, I gain weight really easily, my skin doesn’t look as clear, I’m more tired than usual, and I get angry easily—because anger is the emotion of the liver (they’re connected).
The liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself. So, giving it some extra love and attention goes a long way.
Liver Cleanse
There are a few ways we can cleanse our liver. We can gently cleanse it on a daily basis by drinking a glass of warm water with lemon when we wake up. Lemon water helps to increase the activity of detoxification enzymes in the liver and helps to flush out the waste. There was also a study done in 2017 that showed lemon water can prevent and treat liver damage from drinking too much alcohol .
Another option is to go on a stronger liver cleanse, like the one I’m doing from the Medical Medium called the 3:6:9. It’s a 9-day cleanse where you avoid certain foods to give your liver a rest and help it detox. I did it in the spring and really felt a difference. I lost weight, had more energy and just felt better overall.
Note: Always speak to your doctor or health care provider before starting any cleanse.
Liver good foods!
Everything that we eat and drink gets filtered by the liver, so choosing foods that help to support it makes its job easier. For example: Green tea, Brussels Sprouts, broccoli, dandelion, cranberries, blueberries, and garlic are all liver-loving foods.
Green tea has an antioxidant called catechins which have been shown to improve liver health.
Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli protect the liver from damage.
Dandelion, which is bitter, stimulates the liver and has anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also rich in nutrients and fiber so it helps to remove waste from the body.
Cranberries and blueberries contain anthocyanins and polyphenols, which are potent antioxidants that give them their beautiful colour and protect the liver from damage.
And garlic contains selenium and allicin, both which help the liver cleanse.
There are also herbs, root vegetables and flowers that are beneficial for the liver:
Turmeric is an herb that has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that protect and support the liver. You can eat or drink the root itself, or if you’re looking for something more potent, and absorb-able, you can take it as a supplement. Dr. D’s Ultra BioTurmeric uses the whole turmeric root so it has curcumin, which is a well-known active ingredient, but it also has 250 other active components that help to reduce inflammation. It has no fillers or additives, which can alter liver function, and it stays in our bloodstream for 24 hours, which makes it unique.
Milk thistle is an herb that protects liver cells and helps them regenerate. Its active ingredient, “Silymarin” is an antioxidant that has anti‑inflammatory benefits
Black radish is a root vegetable that contains sulfur, which helps the liver drain.
Beetroot, also a root vegetable, and beetroot juice, contain antioxidants called betalains. Betalains reduce inflammation and increase detoxification enzymes in the liver. If you choose to do a liquid liver cleanse, Revitasize has a few different beetroot juice options you can choose from that are all organic and cold-pressed.
Globe artichoke, which can be classified as a vegetable or a flower, protects the liver and regenerates liver cells.
If you’re looking for an easy way to take all of these ingredients, New Roots Herbal has a product called Liver that combines them all, plus dandelion, artichoke and alpha-lipoic acid in one formula that supports the function of the liver. You take 1 capsule 3x a day and it takes about 3 weeks to take effect. You can take it for 3 months, then take a break for 3 months, then start it again when you feel you need it.
Foods that are bad for the liver!
While we just talked about foods and beverages that are good for the liver, there are also foods that stress the liver and make it work harder, like:
Trans fats
Refined carbohydrates and sugar
Alcohol
And too much salt especially the white kind.
These are foods we want to limit, and avoid, whenever possible if you’re trying to keep your liver happy and healthy.