By Michelle Schoffro Cook for Care2.com
The liver is the body’s main fat-digesting and detoxification organ. Every molecule of fat that you eat must pass through your liver, but if your liver is overburdened by its more than 500 other essential activities, it can become sluggish. Here are ways to boost your liver function:
1. Eat Green. Since the liver requires high amounts of vitamins and minerals to perform its many functions, your diet should be high in fruits and vegetables and nutrient-rich foods.
2. Eat Clean. Because food additives and preservatives need to be filtered by your liver, your diet should be free of processed foods, artificial food additives, colors, and preservatives to take the load off your liver. Additionally, choose to eat a diet low in refined sugar and synthetic sweeteners.
3. Eat Less Processed Oil. You should definitely be avoiding margarine, shortening, commercial oils (choose unrefined oils from the refrigerator section of your local health food store). Avoid eating animal fat and fried foods as well.
4. Drink Water. Drink between eight to ten glasses of pure, filtered water every day. This is the only way your liver can flush toxins out of your body.
5. Eat More Citrus. Better yet, start every day with a large glass of water with the fresh juice of one-half to one lemon added. Lemon helps bolster your liver’s detoxification abilities.
6. Eat Liver-Friendly Foods. Eat plenty of liver-rebuilding foods, including: carrots, beets, leafy greens, and other green vegetables.
7. Eat More Sulphites. Eat lots of garlic, onions and broccoli since these foods contain sulfur that is required to increase the liver’s detoxification ability.
8. Take a Vitamin. Detoxification in the liver requires considerable amounts of nutrients to function properly so be sure to take a high quality multivitamin and mineral supplement. Even a single nutrient deficiency can seriously disrupt natural detoxification processes.
9. Get a Massage. While lying flat on your back, you can gently massage the liver/gallbladder area, which is located along the lower rib area on the right side of your body. This helps improve circulation to the liver.
Always consult your physician prior to making dietary changes or taking nutritional supplements.
Also Read:
Best Foods for a Healthy Liver
Adapted with permission from The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan by Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD.