The liver is just one of several organs included in the body’s detoxification process. Many fad diets and “liver cleanses” claim to produce weight loss miracles and more, but we want to separate the facts from fiction. There are healthy lifestyle tips you can do to improve and maintain your liver health and function, so here’s what you need to know about how to detox the liver naturally:
What is liver detoxification?
Detoxification is a natural process your body does to flush out toxins and other harmful substances through urine and sweat. Your liver’s main job is to filter out these toxins, and can typically “detox” just fine on its own. While you don’t have to do a liver cleanse or detox yourself, your body could need a little bit of support if you’re dealing with inflammation and gut health conditions.
Signs Your Liver Might Need Some Extra Support
When your liver becomes overworked, toxins can build up, leading to chronic inflammation and various side effects such as changes in mood, insomnia, joint pain, weight control problems, skin issues, and more. Some other indicators that you might benefit from some additional liver support include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Frequent sugar cravings
- Excessive body odor and bad breath
- Digestive issues such as bloating, diarrhea, gas, and constipation
Excessive alcohol consumption, chronic stress, and some medications can also contribute to poor liver health, which is why the simple steps on how to detox the liver naturally mentioned next are so important to incorporate into your daily life.
How to Detox the Liver Naturally
Make water your best friend: take it with you everywhere you go, set reminders on your phone to drink more throughout the day, and add fresh lemon, lime, mint, etc. for flavor! For an extra immune boost, add a pinch of turmeric to your water; you won’t be able to taste it, but it will still make an impact!
Break a sweat: you don’t need to do high-intensity workouts every day, but your body does utilize sweating to help remove toxins. Even simple exercises like yoga, a brisk walk, or spending time in an infrared sauna are excellent ways to encourage your body to expel those toxins via sweat!
Add detox superfoods to your diet: what you eat is crucial for supporting your liver health, and some foods have incredible detoxifying benefits too good to ignore! Onions, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, citrus fruits, green apples, blueberries, garlic, ginger, parsley, cilantro, and mushrooms are some of the best foods for liver detox.
Avoid refined and processed convenience foods: focusing on a diet full of lean protein, whole grains, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and other healthy fats is not just good for your liver but for your overall health. Prepackaged foods and snacks are convenient; however, the oils, sugars, and processed carbohydrates are not nutrient-dense and further contribute to toxic buildup.
Be smart about taking supplements: L-Glutathione and Curcumin (the main active ingredient found in our Ultra Turmeric supplement) are a couple of options for liver support supplements, as they both help with inflammation and immune responses. Curcumin specifically is one of the top natural anti-inflammatory powerhouses that balance components of your body’s metabolism. Also, our Fruits & Greens Antioxidant Drink Mix is a potent superfood formula that can improve digestion, detoxification, and a feeling of wellness from the inside out. Before taking any new supplement, talk with a healthcare professional about the pros and cons, especially if you currently take prescription medications that may interfere with the supplement's efficacy.
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