When it comes to the best liver cleanse, many individuals believe that detoxification is the best method. However, comprehending the workings of detoxification is crucial. Detoxification, also known as “detox,” is a widely recognized principle in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Although medical professionals haven’t explicitly recommended any particular supplements or medications for detoxification, those who have experienced it claim various benefits for liver health. Yet, it is essential to consider whether there are any potential side effects associated with detoxification. This article aims to provide insight into the process of detoxification, its connection to the liver, and offer guidance on approaching it.
What is detoxification?
The term detoxification is medicinal and refers to removing toxins from a living organism. The liver performs this task in the human body with the support of the kidneys, intestine, and lymphatic systems. In a layman’s perception, it entails using certain supplements or adopting a diet that will purge toxins from the body, hence improving overall health.
Why cleanse your liver?
The liver has a central role in regulating the digestive and metabolic systems of the body. It acts as a filter system and breaks down toxic substances to expel them from the body. The liver has to detoxify everything we eat or breathe in; chemicals such as preservatives, pollutants, pesticides, cigarette smoke, drugs, and medications put extreme pressure on the liver. It adopts multiple measures to get rid of toxins from the body: breaking down toxic substances, eliminating them through bile, converting them into safer substances, or even storing them to save the rest of the body. Natural health practitioners, supplement companies, and medical websites plead that the accumulation of toxins in the liver during the filtering process damages liver health.
The liver has the remarkable ability to repair itself thanks to the regeneration of new liver cells. People have experienced that detoxification can reverse the damage incurred to the liver due to the storage of toxins. However, only long-term dietary and lifestyle changes will accrue the liver detox benefits of the best liver cleanse.
How to approach detoxification as the best liver cleanse
The widely prevalent view of detoxification propagates the consumption of particular detox diets or supplements to remove toxins, though there is no scientific evidence to support it. A detox diet does not target a specific toxin to remove it from the body. Proponents of detoxification have argued for a wholesome approach to liver cleansing that curbs the intake of chemicals, improves the consumption of nutrients, and incorporates an active lifestyle.
Change your dietary habits.
Changing dietary habits will reduce the intake of foods that contain toxins and help you fulfill your nutritional requirements.
The first thing to do is to increase water intake. Water detoxifies the body by removing waste, lubricates the joints, aids in digestion and nutrient absorption, and also regulates the temperature. The body is in the continuous process of repairing its cells and breaking down nutrients for energy, causing the release of urea and carbon dioxide in the blood. Keeping yourself hydrated will remove these toxins through urination, breathing, or sweating. Adequate water intake for men is 125 ounces, or 3.7 liters, and 91 ounces, or 2.7 liters, for women.
Consuming sugar and processed foods cause obesity and other chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. These diseases impede the detoxification process by affecting vital organs like the liver and kidneys.
Sugary beverages and junk food cause fatty livers, inducing lower liver functioning. Consuming fruits and vegetables instead of junk food will increase liver efficiency and helps in detoxification.
Foods that cleanse the liver
In addition to changing dietary habits, there are certain foods that cleanse the liver and kidneys and improve body efficiency.
Green leafy vegetables are teeming with vitamins, minerals, and fibers and are low in calories; a high quantity of chlorophyll helps to absorb toxins from the blood. A leafy-green rich diet improves detoxification, cleanses the liver, and reduces the risk of obesity, heart issues, and high blood pressure.
Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, provide glutathione, which activates cleansing enzymes and helps to purge carcinogens or other toxins from the body.
Fatty fish and nuts, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, prevent the buildup of excessive fat, maintain enzymes in the liver, and reduce inflammation in the body. Add walnuts and almonds to your daily diet for nourishing nutrients such as glutathione and vitamins that help in a natural liver cleanse.
Garlic and Turmeric are agents for the best liver cleanse and filtering of toxins from the body. Selenium and the antibacterial properties of Garlic trigger liver detox enzymes, whereas Curcumin, present in Turmeric, helps repair liver cells.
[REFERENCE: “Superfood and Herbal Detox.” Indigo Herbs, www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/natural-health-guide/benefits/herbal-detox. Accessed 17 May 2023.]
One must add fruits, berries, and whole grains to the diet for liver health and detoxification of the body from toxins. Citrus fruits like apples, grapefruits, and avocados stimulate the liver, and oatmeal, brown rice, and barley reduce sugar storage in the liver.
An adequate and balanced intake of coffee and tea, especially green tea, reduces the risk of liver disease or cancer and improves digestion and detoxifying processes of the liver.
Change your lifestyle.
A sedentary lifestyle helps in promoting the buildup of toxins in the body. Notwithstanding chronic diseases like heart issues, high blood pressure, and diabetes, an inactive routine also causes damage to the liver. Exercise or physical activity maximizes liver functioning, reduces the excessive flow of glucose and fatty acids to the liver, and decreases insulin resistance. It also impedes the release of molecules that affect mitochondrial and hepatocellular damage, decreases fatty acid synthesis, and increases fatty acid oxidation.
Research has concluded that physical activity or exercise enhances liver health and complements detoxification. Any liver cleansing routine is futile without physical exertion; both aerobic and resistance exercises accrue liver detox benefits.
Conclusion
Detoxification is a complete process that requires an active lifestyle, healthy eating habits, and consuming toxin-free foods. Relying only on detoxifying supplements or liver cleanse diets will not purge toxins out of the body. Detoxification will be the best liver cleanse once you curb the intake of toxins in the form of junk food, consume high-fiber and nutrient-rich foods to flush out toxins, and adopt an active routine to regulate or maximize liver functioning.
