Understanding In Detail About Liver Detox

Introduction

A liver detox, cleanse, or flush is a programme that claims to remove toxins from your body, assist in weight loss, or enhance overall health. You want to do everything you can to actively manage your health. However, if you believe you require a liver detox, you should be aware that it has limited effectiveness. The liver is one of the largest organs in your body. It aids in waste removal and transports numerous nutrients and medications.

Most people believe that a cleanse/detox will help their liver remove toxins after consuming too much alcohol or eating unhealthy foods. Some people believe it will help their liver function better on a daily basis while others think it will help treat liver disease.

Most detoxifying products contain herbs, vitamins, supplements, or a mix of these ingredients. Like most detoxes, a liver cleanse has specific steps. It may instruct you to fast or to drink only juices or other liquids for several days. You might need to eat a restricted diet or take herbal or dietary supplements. Some detoxes encourage you to buy a variety of products. Liver detoxes claim to remove toxins and impurities from the body, however, their usage is contentious due to a lack of scientific evidence.

What Is A Liver Detox or Liver Cleanse?

The liver is the body's natural detoxifier, cleansing it of toxins and producing bile to promote a healthy digestive system. A healthy liver can cleanse practically anything a person comes into contact with. The liver is situated on the right side of the body, just below the rib cage. When the liver is damaged, the body's ability to filter out hazardous substances is reduced. This can result in a variety of symptoms like itching, swelling, yellowing of the skin, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gallstones, blood vessel problems, acidity etc.

A liver detox, cleanse, or flush is a programme that claims to remove toxins from your body, aid in weight loss, or enhance your health. Most liver detoxes include one or more of the following:

• Taking supplements designed to flush toxins out of the liver
• Eating a liver-friendly diet and avoiding certain foods
• Going on a juice diet
• Cleansing the colon and gut through the use of enemas

Who Are The Suitable Candidates For Liver Detoxification?

The following are the candidates who require liver detoxification:

• A person who regularly dines out
• Someone whose work involves contact with toxic materials
• Residents around industrial areas
• Residents in polluted areas
• A person who drinks or smokes too much
• People who sleep too late
• A person who consumes so much processed food or food items with preservatives
• People who regularly consume contaminated food such as ground chilli powder or peanut
• A person who is taking painkillers for a longer period of time

How To Detoxify Your Liver?

The following is the list of some habits that you need to incorporate in your daily life to maintain a healthy liver:

• Cut down on junk foods
• Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking
• Eat whole grains like flax seeds and sunflower seeds
• Take half a teaspoon of turmeric and a dash of pepper with a glass of warm water first thing in the morning. It helps to boost enzymes that can flush out toxins from the body
• Avoid consuming table sugar and other added sweeteners. Added sugars impede the body's ability to produce particular enzymes required in the detoxification process, resulting in a spike in blood glucose and a substantial release of insulin. Limit your daily sugar intake to 20-30 grams or less
• Avoid consuming processed foods that are packed with preservatives
• In a glass of warm water, add the juice of half a lemon. Mix completely and drink it in the morning. Drink 10-12 glasses of warm water every day
• Include Dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, arugula, mustard greens, bitter gourd and chicory in your diet
• Start drinking 2-3 cups of green tea per day to lower the risk of fatty liver disease
• Include garlic and cloves in your diet
• Limit your coffee intake
• Drink amla juice
• Drink raw vegetable juices and consume potassium-rich meals

Liver Detox: Real or Myth?

A healthy liver will automatically cleanse itself. A liver cleanse will not help a sickly liver. A person suffering from liver disease needs appropriate medical care, as well as lifestyle or nutritional adjustments.

Some data suggests that supplements, such as milk thistle, can help liver health. However, there is no evidence that these supplements help detox the liver or treat any liver problem.

What Are The Side Effects Of Liver Detox?

The following are the complications or health risks associated with liver detox:

• Liver cleansing diets may not offer balanced nutrition: A liver cleansing diet may not provide all the nutrients that a person requires. Over time, this can result in deficiencies or malnutrition, especially in children, pregnant women, and people with diabetes and other medical conditions.
• Enemas can be dangerous: Enemas might cause life-threatening damage to the intestines when not administered correctly.
• Liver cleanses cannot replace medical treatment: When a person uses a liver cleanse instead  of medical treatment, serious underlying medical concerns may go untreated

How To Keep Your Liver Healthy?

The following are the ways to improve your liver health:

• Eat a well-balanced diet with healthy food options
• Drink plenty of water
• Wash the fruits and vegetables before you eat 
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Involve in regular exercises
• Monitor the use of medications
• Do not take supplements or any other medicines without consulting your doctor
• Take hepatitis preventive vaccines
• Limit your exposure to contaminants and environmental toxins

Also, Read: Which Foods Have To Be Included In A Healthy Liver Diet?

Conclusion

Although liver detoxes and cleanses have gained popularity, there is no scientific evidence that they are effective. And, while many of these items are subject to different regulations than pharmaceuticals, more is known about their efficacy and long-term side effects. Liver detoxes are based on the idea that chemicals and toxins continuously build up in your system, but that’s a misconception. Instead of choosing a liver detox, a safer option is to focus on healthy lifestyle choices and habits. Some tried-and-true liver-friendly habits include eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and protecting themselves from potentially dangerous drugs, liver diseases, and environmental contaminants. 

Get personalized advice to enhance liver health from the best liver doctor in Pune, Dr. Abhishek Yadav. Book your Appointment today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many days does it take to detoxify the liver?
A: According to the American Addiction Centre, it may take your liver more than a week to completely detox from alcohol, and detox symptoms may persist after that. Based on studies, alcohol can remain in your bloodstream for up to 6 hours after you stop drinking. 

Q: Is it good to take a liver cleanse every day?
A: Because your liver cleans itself, there is no need to perform a liver cleanse or detox, these procedures may cause more harm than benefit. Instead, focus on maintaining your liver health by exercising regularly, consuming a well-balanced diet, and lowering your alcohol consumption.

Q: Does drinking plenty of water cleanse your liver?
A: If you drink more water, the liver can remove toxins more effectively. However, not all water will aid in thorough detoxification.