Your liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your body. From the moment you are born, it is constantly toiling to cleanse your blood of toxins and harmful chemicals. When the liver becomes overworked or overwhelmed, these toxins build up in your bloodstream and fat tissues, causing many health problems from weight gain to ulcers. You can improve the health of this vital organ by performing liver cleansing with certain foods and herbs. Many people find it is best to perform a parasite cleanse as well.

Model of a Liver OrganBenefits of a Clean Liver

The many benefits of a clean and healthy liver may surprise you:

  • A clean liver will help you lose weight, since the liver produces an enzyme, called lipase, that digests fats and the toxins within them. When the liver is not functioning perfectly, fats and toxins will build up in your body more quickly.
  • Some skin conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema, can be aggravated by excessive toxins in the bloodstream. A healthy liver will help keep these conditions under control.
  • Because of its roles in synthesizing cholesterol, building enzymes, producing glucose, and storing vitamins; the liver plays a key part in maintaining a healthy metabolism.
  • Cleansing your liver of toxins will help you to keep high energy levels, since the organ is responsible for producing glycogen and regulating glucose, both of which are used as energy sources throughout the body.
  • Your liver helps your immune system to remove and destroy pathogens in the body, so keeping it healthy will help you to fight off illness and viruses.

 Cleansing Foods and Herbs

The following foods and herbs will help your liver to rid itself and other bodily tissues of toxins and chemical buildup:

  • Milk thistle, which contains high levels of the flavonoid silymarin, which protects the liver from harmful chemicals and can help it to regenerate and to repair damaged cells
  • Grapefruit, which is high in Vitamin C, enzymes, and certain antioxidants that support liver functions
  • Garlic, which contains allicin and selenium, both of which assist the liver in detoxification processes
  • Tanner’s (white) oak bark, which is believed to normalize and regulate the functioning of a bogged-down liver
  • Apples, which are brimming with pectin and so can support detoxification functions throughout the bowels and thus take off some of the load from the liver
  • Apple cider vinegar, with its unique combination of vitamins and minerals that help the liver to break down fats and toxins, while restoring a healthy pH balance in the blood 
  • Chicory root, which can augment the flow of bile to increase the amount of fats and toxins that can be processed through the liver
  • Leafy green vegetables, with their high levels of chlorophyll and antioxidants that increase levels of oxygen in the blood to support the detoxification of the blood and liver
  • Beets and carrots, containing fibers, carotenoids, and flavonoids; all of which work to flush out sediment and buildup within liver tissues
  • Green and white teas, containing catechins, which support the breakdown of fats and lipids in the liver
  • Avocados, containing glutathione, which neutralizes free radicals and supports detoxification of the liver.

Additional Resources

Consistently consuming a diet that is rich in the above foods is sure to contribute to the healthy functioning of your liver. If you’d like to further ensure liver health, try the Dr. Clark Liver Support Tea, which contains many of the herbs listed above. You can also read more about healthy body cleanses on the Living Clean Blog:

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