Table of Contents
Introduction.
If you’ve looked up quick and simple weight loss and bloating remedies, you might have run across suggestions for a liver detox or cleanse. Liver detoxification or cleansing may promote weight loss.
Furthermore, cleansing and detoxing also appeal to you if you’ve had trouble with bloating or weight management. Let’s discuss what the liver does, what liver cleanses do, and whether they can aid in weight reduction before beginning one.
What Does the Liver Do?
There are more than 500 different biological functions that the liver oversees. Your life is so crucial to it that it contains the word “live” itself.
Consequently, a functioning liver performs a variety of crucial tasks. Here are a few of the functions of the liver.
Allows for the best absorption of nutrients from your digestive system, stores vitamins and minerals like iron and vitamin A, and breaks down all drugs, whether over-the-counter or prescribed, to name a few tasks.
Are Liver Cleanses and Detoxes Safe?
The liver Cleansers can be purchased as pills, beverages, or teas. They claim to assist you in clearing your liver of the leftovers from the numerous tasks it performs.
Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been utilized to treat and prevent illnesses, including liver problems. Herbal plant components are typically used in liver cleanses. They could be the entire plant, seeds, leaves, stems, or roots. They are sourced internationally, with China and India providing most of them.
Consequently, the greatest methods for cleansing your liver without using harmful chemicals include:
Reduce your Exposure to Chemicals.
Reduce or limit your alcohol consumption. Men under age 65 are allowed two standard drinks per day or 28 grams of alcohol; above that age, just one drink per day is advised. Women of all ages should limit their alcohol intake to one standard drink (14 g) daily. Your liver processes alcohol; therefore, drinking in moderation or quitting will help maintain your liver health.
Medical practitioners also advise against using prescription and OTC medications other than as prescribed. Choose your drugs wisely and only take those that your healthcare professional has prescribed because your liver is one of the key organs in the metabolism of all medications.
When used in excess, acetaminophen, referred to as Tylenol or paracetamol, can seriously harm the liver. Be careful that acetaminophen has been incorporated into the formula of certain prescription painkillers. Find out from a doctor what the safe acetaminophen limit is.
Modify your diet.
Most people are aware of the difficulty of losing weight. Some people will even attempt liver cleanses to shed extra weight.
Both scientists and medical experts are aware of the obvious connection between obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
No medication is available to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is becoming increasingly common worldwide.
Researchers are examining how different healthy diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, which include healthy fats, whole grains, fiber, and more veggies, affect weight loss over the long term.
As part of the pre-cleanse procedure, almost all liver cleanse or detoxification programs advise avoiding foods and beverages that could harm the body and the liver. This includes alcohol, trans fats, sugar, and processed foods.
Whether or whether you intend to embark on a cleanse for your liver or any other organ, you should make these lifestyle changes since they benefit everyone.
The gut-liver axis is the relationship between the liver and other digestive organs. Increased dietary fiber is advised by scientists to improve food digestion, metabolism, and liver function.
Stay Hydrated.
To correctly distribute nutrients to your tissues and eliminate waste products in your blood and digestion, your body depends on maintaining optimum hydration. As a result, you should consume as much water as your body weight in ounces each day.
For instance, a 160-pound individual would require at least 80 ounces and more if they were active. A strong commitment to lifestyle changes is the key to effective weight loss for both men and women, and having companions along for the ride can help hold you responsible for your objectives.
Take Liver Support Supplements.
The following are a few of the plants used in liver detoxes:
Milk Thistle.
As the “king” of detoxifying herbs, milk thistle is excellent for a liver cleanse. Alcohol, heavy metals, prescription drugs, and environmental toxins can all accumulate in the liver and be removed with the aid of milk thistle.
Additionally, it aids in lessening the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy on the liver. According to research, silymarin’s active component supports healthy regeneration while strengthening the liver’s cell walls.
Milk thistle can be used as a supplement or liver-cleansing detox tea.
Turmeric.
Joint pain is lessened by turmeric, which also works as an antidepressant, aids in digestion, maintains a healthy blood sugar level, and supports healthy liver tissue and liver metabolism.
At the moment, scientists are looking at turmeric’s potential health advantages for many diseases and ailments, such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, depression, osteoarthritis, breast health, prostate health, and chronic pain.
Regular Exercise.
Not just your cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems benefit from exercise. It benefits your liver as well.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), one of the most prevalent liver diseases today, is greatly influenced by exercise.
Aerobic and resistance exercise prevents liver fat buildup, so fat accumulation and NAFLD are connected. Therefore you don’t have to run marathons to profit from them.
You can start working out immediately by going for a brisk walk, joining an online fitness class, or riding a bike, all of which will assist you in losing weight.
Conclusion.
A liver detox, cleanse, or flush program claims that it can help eliminate toxins from your body, aid in weight loss, or enhance your health. You want to make every effort to participate in your health actively.
References.
Albassam, A. A., Frye, R. F., & Markowitz, J. S. (2017, June 1). The effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and its main flavonolignans on CYP2C8 enzyme activity in human liver microsomes [Abstract]. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 271, 24–29 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009279717300832
The dubious practice of detox. (2008, May) https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-dubious-practice-of-detox
