6 Natural and Healthy Foods to Detox Your Liver After Winter

The liver is one of the largest organs in our body and serves as our internal filtration system. A healthy liver is responsible for converting toxins into waste products, processing nutrients and medications, filtering the blood, and producing glucose and bile. Overindulgence in alcohol, fatty foods and processed meats can severely strain the liver's ability to regulate the body. When the liver cannot effectively filter out harmful substances, this can cause: 

- Fatigue

- Nausea

- Gallstones

- Diarrhoea

- Vomiting

The internet is flooded with recipes and juice cleanses marketed to detox the liver after a night out drinking alcohol or binge eating during winter. When the temperature cools, our diets generally consist of heavier and warmer meals while we spend more time indoors, which puts pressure on the liver to work harder. Maintaining our liver's health is essential to our overall health, however, fad diets cannot stop the body from developing liver disease nor can they reverse damage caused by continued exposure to harmful toxins and excess consumption. Instead, herpetologists recommend maintaining a balanced healthy diet and exercise schedule to support the liver's health. 

6 Natural and Healthy Foods that can Detox your Liver:

1) Garlic

Garlic can help the liver activate enzymes that process and remove toxins from the body. It also contains the natural compound selenium, which increases antioxidant action and aids in cleansing.
It is best to consume two to four fresh cloves every day.


2) Avocado

Avocados are rich in healthy fats and are an excellent source of antioxidants and fibre. They can assist the body produce glutathione, the natural compound that helps the liver process toxins.


3) Beetroot

Beetroot is high in fibre and can stimulate liver enzymes and bile to help break down and absorb healthy fats. It also assists with removing toxic wastes faster and cleansing the blood, which increases oxygen flow.


4) Fermented Foods

Fermented foods such as pickles, kimchi and sauerkraut contain gut-friendly bacteria that can assist with healthy bowel movements. They are rich in probiotics and can help the body eliminate waste during constipation.
People that cannot stomach the tangy flavours can also drink it as kombucha or miso soup.


5) Turmeric

Turmeric supports the liver enzymes by processing toxins, fats and producing bile. The spice is also high in antioxidants, which may reduce free radical damage in the liver and repair damaged cells.


6) Organic Apples

Apples are high in fibre and pectin, a compound that assists in cleansing the body and releasing toxins from the digestive tract. The liver can then work on cleansing the rest of the body with fewer toxins in the digestive tract.

Apples are high in fibre and pectin, a compound that helps cleanse the body and release toxins from the digestive tract.

It is important to note that supplementing your diet with the above food may not be enough to ensure your liver's health. Preventative measures should also be followed, such as:

- Limiting alcohol

- Exercising regularly to avoid weight gain

- Taking supplements that promote healthy liver functioning

- Avoid engaging in behaviours that can lead to viral hepatitis, which can damage the liver. Such behaviours include: unprotected sex, sharing needles, getting a tattoo or body piercing from somewhere unregulated

Supplements That May Help with Liver Function are:

St Mary's Thistle 

The seed from Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) has antioxidant, blood-sugar-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects, which may protect liver cells from harmful substances and support the development of new cells.

Globe Artichoke

Globe artichokes (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) is a species of thistle that contains high amounts of nutrients. Artichoke leaf extract supports bile production, which helps remove toxins in the liver. It may also protect the liver by helping new tissue develop.

The liver is a powerful organ with many functions in the body, often overlooked in place of our other organs. Liver health must be supported through a healthy dietary intake and regular exercise to ensure that our nutrients and toxins are effectively processed through the body and excreted.


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Lipa Pharmaceutical's Private Label range includes a Liver Detox product that contains both St Mary's Thistle and Globe Artichoke extract.