The liver is a large organ in our abdomen. It’s vital for the efficient functioning of many of our internal systems. But its primary role is to detoxify the body, by getting rid of waste products and toxins. Think of it like a filter for our body – purifying our blood and clearing out harmful substances.
Modern lifestyles have become a burden on our livers. Stress, poor diet, processed foods, environmental factors – these can harm our livers as they work tirelessly to cleanse our body. This is your guide to how liver supplements and mindful habits can enhance your body’s natural detox system – starting from the inside out.
Why Liver Health Matters
The liver plays a central role in establishing and regulating other bodily functions. The major roles of the liver are :
1. Secretion of Bile: Bile is a yellowish-green fluid that is secreted by the liver. It helps break down fats for better absorption and get rid of excess waste.
2. Storing and Cleansing Blood: The liver can store a large amount of blood. It cleanses the blood by removing bacteria and other harmful particles. This way, the liver plays a role in regulating and maintaining blood flow.
3. Detoxification: The liver makes foreign chemicals and molecules less toxic. So alcohol, steroids, and excessive hormones are detoxified. This prevents them from accumulating as harmful toxins and affecting other systems.
Hindering these vital functions can significantly impact our overall health. Maintaining a good condition of our liver is important for sustaining the strength and wellness of our body.
What are the Symptoms of Liver Disease?
We might not often think about our liver or its health, but when something is wrong with it, the body will make sure we notice. One of the most evident signs of liver disease is Jaundice. Our skin and the whites of our eyes turn yellow. This yellowness is caused by “bilirubin”, which is a waste substance that the liver gets rid of. Developing jaundice means that our liver is unable to function to its fullest capacity.
More signs of liver disease are:
• Build-up of fluids in the belly
• Easy bruising
• Itchy skin
• Low blood pressure
• Weakness and constant tiredness
• Nausea
Liver disease hampers its functioning, which indirectly affects the rest of the body too. So we should invest in liver cleanse supplements to prevent these diseases from developing.
What is Fatty Liver?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a rising cause of liver problems in India. Studies suggest that 9-32% of the general population in India have NAFLD. It happens when “triglycerides” accumulate in the liver, which is a type of fat found in our blood. This accumulation causes an inflammatory response, which can scar the liver (cirrhosis) or lead to liver cancer.
Common causes of NAFLD include obesity, excessive sugar intake, and inactive lifestyle. So a healthy lifestyle and weight maintenance are the advised remedies for preventing and treating NAFLD. But there are also supplements for fatty liver that help alleviate its symptoms.
How to Choose the Best Liver Supplements
Choosing the correct liver supplements is important for sustaining your liver health. There are some nutrients and ingredients that the liver needs to support its processes and help it detoxify itself.
An efficient herbal ingredient is “Milk Thistle”. This flowering herb is known to have therapeutic properties. Its compound “silymarin” is extracted and used to treat several liver diseases. Along with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions, it also stimulates liver regeneration. Most liver health supplements include milk thistle for its oral efficacy and beneficial results.
Another ingredient is “N-acetyl cysteine” (NAC), which comes from the amino acid L-cysteine. NAC is an antioxidant that improves liver, lung, and kidney function. It supports liver function with antioxidation and reducing inflammation. Studies have shown that fatty liver causes the spleen to expand. NAC plays a role in reducing fatty infiltration, which in turn decreases the size of the spleen.
NAC is generally recommended as a treatment to various diseases that are caused by free radicals. This is because of its cleansing and antioxidant powers. So when choosing supplements for fatty liver, we should keep in mind the NAC ingredient for the best liver cleansing results.
Foods for Liver Detox
Apart from liver supplements, proper diet and nutrition play a key role in maintaining liver health. There are many foods that contain the needed enzymes and vitamins for liver health to perform to its best ability:
1. Coffee: Surprisingly coffee consumption is actually good for your liver. Coffee can prevent the build-up of fat, which is one of the leading causes of liver disease.
2. Fruits: Antioxidant fruits can help maintain liver health. Grapes and grapefruits both increase antioxidant levels in the body and also help reduce inflammation.
3. Berries: Blueberries and cranberries supply the body with sufficient antioxidants. Cranberries have been shown to directly improve the effects of NAFLD.
4. Nuts: Nuts include a lot of nutrients that support liver functioning – healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamin E.
General Precautions to Protect Liver Health
Problems with the functioning of our liver can impact our entire body. Liver cleanse supplements are a good resource for protecting our liver, but we must start with taking precautions to maintain its health.
1. Drink in Moderation: Drinking too much alcohol can hurt and scar your liver – leading to cirrhosis.
2. Keep your Food Clean: Fruits and vegetables are often enhanced with pesticides that can damage the liver, so make sure to wash this produce properly to get rid of germs and toxins.
3. Be Careful with your Medications: Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking medication. Most importantly, don’t mix alcohol with medicines.
4. Get Vaccinated Against Hepatitis: Hepatitis is characterized by inflammation in the liver, which damages its cells and impedes its regular functioning. Chronic inflammation can even cause cirrhosis, or liver failure. So make sure you’re vaccinated against Hepatitis A, B, C to lower the risk of its development.
5. Maintain a Healthy Body Weight: Obesity and inactive lifestyles can lead to liver disease. Maintain a proper nutritious diet and exercise regularly to avoid fatty liver.
Final Thoughts
We might not realize how our liver impacts our overall health and wellness, disregarding its significance as one of our most vital organs. Our lives today further conflict with our liver health, making it all-the-more crucial to create a holistic approach for preserving it. Liver cleanse supplements, especially those with proven ingredients like NAC and milk thistle, can play a valuable role in supporting our liver. Apart from this, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices will support its detoxification process. A healthy liver lays the foundation for a healthier you.
FAQs
Q1. What are the benefits of a liver detox?
A liver detox is the process of cleansing out the liver of harmful toxins to ensure its efficient functioning. The liver is vital for purifying our blood and our body by removing waste and toxins. So regular liver detox is important for preventing life-threatening liver diseases, and to have a better functioning body.
Q2. How do you holistically heal your liver?
A holistic approach to healing your liver and preserving its health includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and safe lifestyle habits. You should try to include nutritious foods in your daily diet, be physically active and maintain an appropriate weight, and choose a safe and healthy lifestyle (avoiding alcohol, getting required vaccinations, etc.).
Q3. How to detox liver in Ayurveda?
“Panchakarma” – containing Basti, Nasya, Vamana, Virochana, and Rakta Mokshana – is considered the best Ayu Vedic therapy for liver detox. This Ayurvedic therapy includes herbal oils massages, a specific diet, and steam baths.
Q4. What comes out during liver detox?
Liver detox works to remove toxins and pollutants from the body. This happens in two phases. First, the liver works to convert harmful toxins into less harmful substances. Then, whatever toxins still remain are made water-soluble so they can be removed from the body through urine or bile.
Q5. How do you know liver detox is working?
If liver detox is working, the signs will reflect in a healthier body. You will see improvement in your digestion, increased energy levels, clearer skin (because of removal of toxins), and better sleep conditions.