Heal Your Liver Naturally With Food
The production of biochemicals needed for digestion, detoxification and protein synthesis are among many of the important jobs performed by the liver. The liver isn’t given as much press as the heart, for instance, but it is impossible to live without so it is very important to maintain its health. Many people think that regular detoxification of the liver through restrictive detox diets is necessary to keep the liver functioning as it should. This is not scientifically proven to be true and in fact, there are many natural foods that can help your liver detox naturally and keep it functioning efficiently.
Since detox diets are often so restrictive, they are near impossible to complete. Many of these diets involve fasting, which deprives your body of much needed nutrients and slows down your metabolism. Fasting can become addictive for some which obviously prolongs the time your body is being deprived of essential nutrients. WebMD states, “most natural liver detox diets have little science supporting them… are very restrictive and can cause harm….”. Liver detox diets are not suggested for anyone but healthy adults. Detox diets are not recommended if you suffer from any chronic condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, or if you are a child, teenager, senior or a pregnant or breastfeeding woman.
The body goes through a natural detoxification process all on its own if fuelled properly. You can promote a healthy liver by eating natural foods that are proven to help with this process, which also will help with your liver detox. Here is a list of some common foods and exactly how they can help.
Apples The pectin helps your body excrete heavy metals by attaching to them.
Artichokes increase the production of bile which helps move toxins through the bowels.
Beets Beets contain a type of vitamin B called folate that needs to be consumed daily.
Bitter leafy greens These greens, such as endive, dandelion and chicory) help to stimulate bile flow, which of course moves toxins through your bowels, and out of your body.
Cruciferous vegetables Although they sound like uncommon foods, these vegetables include cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel Sprouts and broccoli. They breakdown toxins in the body by producing phtochemicals. They also fuel the liver to produce the enzymes required for natural detoxification.
Garlic contains allicin, a sulfur-like compound that helps clean the liver of such substances as mercury and food additives. If you don’t like the smell of garlic, try taking garlic pills.
Other fruits (e.g., blueberries, grapefruit, prunes, raisins, strawberries, oranges, cantaloupe, pears) that contain those all-important antioxidants. Try to eat at least 3 servings a day.
With the benefit of these foods, and more, liver health is easily attainable. Many people already consume a variety of foods from this list on a regular basis, promoting the natural detoxification process without even realizing it. No need to suffer through a rigorous detoxification diet at all to promote liver health.
As someone who takes more prescription medicine than she wants to, Natalie MacBride has decided to explore some alternatives to healing with drugs: healing with food. If you’re interested in the possibilities of getting healthy more naturally, visit her at her blog Natural Healing with Food.