7 Ways to Naturally Detox Your Liver
Your liver is one of the most vital organs in your body. It plays an essential role in detoxification, digestion, metabolism, and overall health. When we talk about “detoxifying the liver”, what we really mean is supporting your body’s detoxification pathways to allow the liver to function optimally.
When your liver is functioning optimally, it helps to keep your body in balance. But when it’s overloaded or sluggish, you may start feeling fatigued, sluggish, or even experience skin issues, digestive problems, and other health concerns. So, how can you support your liver and give it a helping hand? Let’s dive into severn natural ways to support a healthy liver.
1. Remove the Toxins in Your Diet
The very first step in naturally detoxing your liver is removing the toxic substances from your diet. No matter how many supplements or detox herbs you take, they won’t do much good if you’re still eating processed, sugar-laden, or fast foods. The liver is constantly working to filter and process what you consume, so it’s vital to feed it foods that support its health rather than burden it further.
Start by eliminating processed grains, sugars, and fast food from your diet. Replace them with whole foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, organic grass-fed meats, and sprouted ancient grains. This shift can significantly lighten your liver’s load and help it work more efficiently.
One of the biggest offenders in your diet is conventional meat and dairy. These products are often loaded with harmful chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, steroids, and hormones. These substances not only harm the animals but also accumulate in the foods you consume. By choosing organic, grass-fed, and hormone-free options, you’re giving your liver a much-needed break and supporting your overall health.
2. Avoid Constipation
Constipation can significantly hinder the liver’s ability to detoxify effectively. The liver relies on the digestive system to eliminate toxins and waste products through the bile and stool. When you’re constipated, the body’s ability to expel these waste products slows down, causing them to linger in the colon and re-enter the bloodstream.
This can put additional stress on the liver, as it has to work harder to filter out toxins that aren’t being properly eliminated. Over time, this can lead to a buildup of toxins in the body, further compromising liver function and overall health. Read this blog post about how to fix constipation!
3. Assess your Thyroid Function
A sluggish thyroid, or hypothyroidism, can impair liver function by slowing down metabolism and disrupting the body’s natural detoxification processes. The thyroid hormone plays a key role in regulating the liver’s ability to process and eliminate toxins. When thyroid function is low, the liver’s detox capacity is diminished, leading to a buildup of waste and harmful substances in the body.
Additionally, low thyroid hormones can reduce bile production, which is essential for the liver to flush out toxins. Supporting thyroid health with proper nutrition, exercise, and, when needed, medical treatment can help ensure that both the thyroid and liver work together to maintain optimal detoxification and overall health.
Talk with your provider about having a full thyroid panel ordered if you are struggling with symptoms of hypothyroidism (cold intolerance, inability to lose weight, thinning hair {particularly the outer 3rd of the eyebrows}, fatigue, constipation, depression).
4. Embrace Liver-Detoxifying Herbs
Your liver is your body’s natural detox center, but it needs support to do its job well. One of the best ways to help your liver cleanse itself is by incorporating liver-detoxifying herbs into your routine. There are several herbs known for their liver-boosting properties, but three stand out as particularly effective: milk thistle, turmeric, and dandelion. Check out my Fullscript Dispensary for 25% off supplements!
Milk Thistle– Often referred to as the “king of detox herbs,” milk thistle is packed with silymarin, an antioxidant that helps to protect and detoxify your liver. It supports the liver’s ability to regenerate and boosts the production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that plays a central role in the detox process. Typically, 150 milligrams of milk thistle twice a day will give your liver the support it needs to thrive.
Turmeric– Turmeric is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s particularly beneficial for your liver. It contains curcumin, an active compound that helps reduce inflammation and supports detoxification. A daily dose of one tablespoon of turmeric in your food or 1,000 milligrams of turmeric supplements can do wonders for your liver health.
Dandelion– Dandelion isn’t just a pesky weed; it’s a powerhouse herb for detoxification. It helps your liver release toxins by stimulating bile production and supports overall liver function. Plus, dandelion acts as a natural diuretic, helping your body flush out excess water and toxins. Including dandelion in your daily routine is a great way to promote liver health.
By incorporating these three herbs into your diet, you’ll provide your liver with the tools it needs to cleanse and regenerate itself.
5. Eat Real Liver (Yes, Really!)
One of the most ancient and effective ways to support your liver’s health is by consuming liver itself! While this may sound strange to some, liver from animals like chicken or beef is incredibly nutrient-dense and offers specific nutrients that support liver detoxification.
Liver is packed with vital nutrients like vitamin A, B vitamins, and minerals like zinc and iron—all of which help to nourish and support liver function. For centuries, holistic practitioners have used liver as a natural remedy for liver toxicity and other health issues.
You can include liver in your diet by making dishes like chicken liver pâté, or by adding beef or chicken liver to a stew or Crock-Pot recipe. Including real liver in your diet might be the missing link to enhancing your liver’s detoxification capacity.
If you can’t stomach eating real liver (I sure can’t!), you can supplement with bovine liver such as this:
6. Nourish Your Liver with Liver-Cleansing Foods
Certain foods are especially beneficial for the liver, and incorporating them into your diet can help your liver detoxify naturally. Think “springtime” foods—fresh, bright, and packed with nutrients.
Sprouts, salads, and sour foodsare fantastic for the liver. Incorporating things like apple cider vinegar, fermented foods (like kimchi, kefir, and sauerkraut), and leafy greens can support liver detoxification.
You can start with a spinach salad topped with fresh sprouts, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Beets, artichokes, and dandelion greens are also excellent choices for supporting liver function. These foods help stimulate bile production, support liver regeneration, and assist in flushing out toxins.
Adding these liver-friendly foods into your meals will make a significant difference in supporting your body’s detoxification process.
7. Glutathione Supplementation
There currently seems to be an endless stream of ads for glutathione, stating that supplementing with it will help your liver. Here’s the scoop on glutathione:
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that plays a key role in liver detoxification, reducing oxidative stress, and supporting overall liver function. It helps neutralize toxins, supports bile flow, and protects liver cells from damage. While GGT is an enzyme involved in glutathione metabolism and liver function, normal GGT (obtained during a blood draw) levels do not necessarily indicate optimal glutathione levels.
Factors like aging, toxin exposure, alcohol consumption, and chronic stress can deplete glutathione, even if GGT is within range. Supplementation may be beneficial for those with liver inflammation, fatty liver, high toxin exposure, or sluggish detox pathways, even if their GGT levels are adequate.
This is the glutathione supplement I recommend:
Wrapping It Up
The liver is a vital organ that works tirelessly to keep you healthy. By giving it the right nutrients, supporting it emotionally, and avoiding toxic foods, you’ll be empowering your body to detox more effectively and live a healthier, more vibrant life.
If you’re ready to dive deeper into supporting your liver health, make sure to check out more of my content and get started on your journey to a healthier, toxin-free body!
Non-Toxic Living: Guide to Clean Products
Six Ways to Lower Cortisol and Manage Stress
How to Boost Your Immune System
Disclaimer
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This information is for educational purposes only, please consult with your medical provider before implementing anything new into your daily regimen.
