Liver and Detox

The liver, one of the most significant and vital organs in the human body, plays a crucial role in numerous physiological functions, with detoxification being one of its primary responsibilities. However, your liver may get exhausted if it has to handle too many substances to detoxify. For instance, if you indulge in too many processed foods or have been on strong medications for a long time, the liver might be overworked to decrease the toxin load generated from them. 

Adding natural aids for helping your liver to detox can go a long way to building a strong foundation for your fitness & well-being. So, in case you are wondering how to cleanse your liver, you have come to the right page. Read along to understand how you can cleanse your liver. 

Toxins

What classifies as toxins, where do they come from, and why do they need to be eliminated from our body?

Our body is constantly exposed to numerous toxins from external sources as well as internal ones. Plastics, pesticides, alcohol, pollution, drugs, benzene(smoke), are some of the common toxins that your liver needs to detoxify daily. As if this were not enough, our biological processes also release toxins as byproducts, such as ammonia, lactic acid, carbon dioxide, free radicals, etc, known as endotoxins, which also need to be eliminated day in and day out.

Liver & its Significance

Your liver is already multitasking for fat digestion, nutrient storage, blood clotting regulation, blood sugar management, etc. Amongst all these metabolizing, generating waste materials is one of its crucial functions. The liver does the job of detoxification in 3 major phases. Phase one involves breaking down harmful substances into water-soluble, harmless substances, whereas phase 2 involves mixing these harmful substances with

So what if your liver decides one day to go on a strike or falls sick? Where do all these toxins go, and how does your body respond?

They accumulate, which then leads to hormonal imbalance, autoimmune diseases, inflammation of organs, damage to internal organs and even coma or death in severe cases.

Inflammatory conditions of the liver & liver cell damage can potentially slow down the functioning of the liver, leading to a rise in the build-up of toxins as its detoxing capacity is compromised.

Signs your Liver is overloaded

Digestive Problems- Frequent episodes of digestive discomfort from gas, bloating, constipation and indigestion could be undiagnosed liver overload. Since the liver is responsible for the metabolization of nutrients and the digestion of fats, liver damage can hinder the digestion process, giving rise to digestive complaints.

Fatigue- Unexplained tiredness throughout the day. Accumulation of waste materials slows down your liver functioning and also leads to poor oxygen supply, making you feel weak, tired or sick all the time.

Skin Problems- Inefficiency of the liver to eliminate toxins can lead to bilirubin build-up, leading to discolouration of skin to pale or yellow. Spider angioma and erythema can arise due to hormonal build-up, while excess bile salt accumulation can lead to itching of the skin or red patches. Hormonal imbalance, coupled with excess melanin production, causes darkening of the skin. Easy bruising of the skin can also be an indication of liver issues, leading to fragile capillaries and clotting defects.

Nausea and Vomiting- How would you feel when you are forced to eat or drink even after you are full? You would most probably feel like throwing up. One of the reasons you might feel nauseated when liver dysfunctions is its inability to get rid of toxins and wastes, thereby impacting your appetite 

Mood Swings- Toxins from the liver, when unfiltered, can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect brain functioning. From mood swings, irritability, and brain fog to sleep deprivation and mental fatigue, liver dysfunction can affect all due to hormonal imbalance, toxin build-up, neurotransmitter imbalances, etc.

Urine & Poop Colour- Dark coloured urine or ammonia like smell in urione can indicate a dysfunction of the liver, whereas pale coloured yellow stool may indicate lack of bile flow. Similarly, greasy stool, also known as steatorrhea, could be a strong indicator of fat indigestion due to liver malfunction.

How to do a Liver Detox?

While there are many factors involved, let's look at some ways that can help in

List of foods to ease liver burden

Certain foods help the liver detox by lowering inflammation and lowering scarring of liver cells by protecting them from oxidative damage. Some of these foods include

• Cruciferous vegetables: Sulfur-rich compounds in cruciferous vegetables stimulate enzyme activity in the liver, which is needed for liver detoxification process. Additionally, cruciferous vegetables also increase the production of an essential antioxidant, unnamed glutathione, which aids the liver cleanse process. Examples: Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale
• Lean protein: Lean protein helps in the production of the antioxidant glutathione, which aids in neutralizing toxins, thereby aiding liver detox process. Additionally, lean protein also prevents fat build up, reducing the risk of fatty liver. Examples: Skinless chicken, Eggs, Tofu, Beans, Lentils, Sprouts
• Whole grains: Fiber from whole grains helps detox the defecation process by binding to excess cholesterol & aids in its elimination by preventing its reabsorption in the body. 
  Examples: Oats, Brown Rice, Quinoa
• Citrus Foods: Citrus foods promote hydration and stimulate liver cells to increase enzyme production required for flushing out toxins. Examples: Lemon, Berries, Kiwi, Grapefruits, etc.
• Fatty Fish: The omega 3 content from fatty fish supports liver detox by reducing inflammation and preventing fat buildup. Examples: Salmon, Tuna, Mackerel
• Herbs & Spices: Allicin & selenium compounds of garlic have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and they also enhance enzyme activity required for liver detox. Similarly, Syllimarin from the herb Milk thistle also exhibit antiinflammatory and antioxidant property that aids the liver in its detoxification process. Examples: Milk Thistle, Garlic, Dandelion, Turmeric, Chicory, etc.

Make sure to include one serving of each of the food groups listed above to support your liver for detoxification naturally.

Additional Tips to lessen the Liver’s burden

Limit Alcohol- Since the liver is the primary site for the metabolization of alcohol, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to inflammation of cells in the liver and scarring in severe cases. Alcoholic Fatty Liver, Alcoholic hepatitis, and Alcoholic Cirrhosis are some of the forms of damage alcohol causes in the liver. The by-products generated through the metabolism of alcohol are the main culprits for such damage. Moreover, excess calories from alcohol also lead to fat build-up in liver cells, causing fatty liver.  The good part is that in most cases, complete abstinence from alcohol can also reverse the damage caused by its intoxication.

Refrain from too much medication- just like alcohol, medicines are also metabolized in the liver. Drug-induced liver damage can occur as a result of the direct impact of the medicine or its by-product after metabolization in the liver cells. Overdosing, chronic medication or medications generating toxin elements such as metals or bhasmas can also potentially cause damage to liver cells. People with existing liver problems are more likely to develop liver damage from medication.

Exercise regularly- Exercising regularly helps the liver receive sufficient oxygen and nutrient supply that aid in its functions, including detoxification. Exercising also helps in eliminating excess fat build up in the body, thereby reducing the risk of fatty liver. By reducing that in the body and maintaining a healthy weight, exercising alleviates the burden on the liver. Exercise also helps in reducing overall inflammation in the liver and thereby helps it function better for detoxifying.

Summary

Still wondering how do i detox my liver. Then the information provided in the article above can be of help to you. While you practice the inclusion of certain foods & herbs for your liver cleanse process, don't forget to also eliminate or take necessary steps to eliminate the exposure or accumulation of toxins in the body as it can increase the load on your liver for detoxification.