How to Improve Liver Function
The liver is the fat-burner and detoxifier of our bodies. It's the work horse upon which we depend for much of our health and yet so often take for granted. If you have ever been sickened by an illness that has damaged your liver, as I have, you will know it and will suffer for a long time until you can get your liver healthy again. The good news is that the liver can regenerate itself---unlike other organs---and you can work to strengthen and cleanse your liver, thus improving your overall health.
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Things You'll Need
- Liver-improving foods, detailed below
- Purified water
- Liver-improving supplements, detailed below
Instructions
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Undertake an internal cleansing program twice a year. You can find kits for colon cleansing online or at your local health food store. These kits usually contain some combination of fibers, detoxifying herbs and blood purifiers.
Famous brands include Colonix by Dr Natura, Perfect Cleanse by Garden of Life, and CleanseSmart by Renew Life. Do your research before you buy and before you undertake a cleansing. Follow the directions precisely and note that you may experience some uncomfortable side effects (bloating, flatulence, nausea), which usually subside with time. A clean colon helps your liver do a better job. -
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Drink enough purified water for your body size and activity level, both while you are undertaking the internal cleansing and while you are strengthening your liver function. Water assists the liver in its detoxification role. Don't overdo it and drink too much water, though. Be sure to balance your water intake with a reasonable amount of salt. The USDA recommends 1500 milligrams per day (1.5 grams). The liver needs a certain amount of salt to function.
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Take daily dietary supplements to help repair the liver, including but not limited to: milk thistle (silymarin, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, calcium and turmeric. Consult your physician for correct dosages to use.
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Cut down on your sugar intake and completely cut out all artificial sweeteners. Instead enjoy fruit and, if you do sweeten, use honey, molasses, or agave nectar.
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Avoid leftovers that are past their safety date. HomeFoodSafety.org has a wonderful leftover safety calculator chart that you can print and keep on your refrigerator. The chart gives recommended maximums for how long various foods will still be safe to eat after being stored in your refrigerator.
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Keep close to the ideal weight for your body type. Excess weight puts a strain on your liver and can lead to a condition known as "fatty liver," or NASH. A fatty liver is a stressed liver. LiverDoctor.com has handy information about fatty liver.
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Stay away from processed foods (chicken nuggets, frozen dinners). Remove all preserved meats from your diet (luncheon meat, hot dogs). Watch out for foods that are high in saturated fat or that have any trans fats. Limit caffeine intake, if you can.
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Eat plenty of raw fruit and vegetables as this not only helps directly by providing phytonutrients, but also helps indirectly by preventing constipation. Eat whole grains such as rice, quinoa, barley, and oats. Include beans in your diet---two times a week, if you can. Beans in general are high in fiber, and lentils and soybeans specifically are high in protein, too. Eat yogurt regularly to replenish live friendly bacteria in your intestines and/or take friendly bacterial supplements. Drink raw apple cider vinegar, ACV, to aid digestion. Don't forget nuts and seeds as vital sources of protein. Eat good fats, such as olive oil, avocados, fish and nut oils. And enjoy foods with garlic and turmeric, such as Indian curries.
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Wash your hands regularly to avoid ingesting extra germs. Take extra precautions when working with raw meat and seafood. Floss to help remove bad bacteria build-up between your teeth, and make a twice yearly visit to a dental hygienist to have your teeth cleaned.
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Alcohol stresses the liver, as do environmental pollutants such as bleach, ammonia and common household cleansers. When painting indoors, be sure to purchase low-odor latex paints (they cost a little more but are well worth it). Avoid prescription and over-the-counter medications that can tax your liver (e.g., statins for lowering cholesterol also suppress good cholesterol and therefore are hard on your liver; ibuprofen and acetaminophen are also hard on your liver).
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Tips & Warnings
The important thing to remember is that you cannot simply zap your liver with this liver improvement regimen once and expect it to do any good. But by doing this regimen consistently over time, you will see an improvement in liver function. Be consistent and stick with it!
Don't forget to check with your physician before undertaking any sort of health regimen like this one.
