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There are a number of ways you can change your diet to help aid your liver in detoxification.
First, most diets require some sort of fasting and the elimination of certain foods and drink. This is because it is thought that many of these foods are simply pumping toxins into our bodies. The elimination of caffeine, alcohol, sugar, refined and processed foods, and artificial substances, flavors, sweeteners and colors will put a halt to the further accumulation of any toxins. Then, a fast, sometimes in the form of a liquid diet, will serve the purpose of fully flushing out your body. Slowly, you will begin to reintroduce certain foods into your diet.
In addition to fasting, eating foods that will protect and nourish your liver is recommended. Even as you are limiting the amount of toxins you put into your body, your liver can not fully function without the nutrients it needs. -
Fiber helps remove fat-soluble toxins by binding to the bile found in the large intestines. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C and E and beta-carotene, as well as B vitamins and calcium, defend the liver against damage, thus aiding it in detoxifying. You can find these nutrients in foods such as kale, asparagus, citrus fruits, whole grains, brown rice, natural yeast, egg yolks, fish and nuts.
Ask your doctor about starting a tailored and supervised fast, because this is the quickest, albeit short-term, way to help aid your liver in the detoxification process. -
On the surface, liver detox diets seem like a great idea. Most emphasize the importance of eliminating harmful substances and foods such as alcohol, sugar (artificial and natural), caffeine, fats, and refined and processed foods. They also encourage a higher intake of beneficial foods and beverages such as water, organic fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats. However, most of these diets require some form of fasting, and without proper monitoring by a doctor this type of fasting can lead to dehydration, heart conditions, nutrient deficiencies and eating disorders. Pregnant women, teens, children and those with heart or chronic conditions should not follow these diets or any type of unsupervised fasting.
Some health professionals also fear that detox diets might generate the dissemination of false information about the liver, how we consume toxins and how they affect our body, and how our body actually eliminates them. Our bodies are naturally equipped with systems that can eliminate toxins through our sweat, urine and feces. Furthermore, chemicals exist all around us in both natural and synthetic form, and being manmade or synthetic does not necessarily make them more or less harmful.
