Liver Cleanse. Why? Who? When?

Liver is a unique organ with incredible regenerative properties even mentioned in the Greek mythology.

Prometheus was stealing fire from the King of the gods Zeus himself and distributing it as a gift among humans. For this, Zeus punished Prometheus by having him chained to a rock in the Caucasus, where an eagle picked at his liver every day. Every night, however, Prometheus’s liver grew back at the same rate as the eagle devoured it during the day. His torture continued for a long period of time until he was finally freed by Heracles.

The liver is the largest internal organ inside the human body. It is located in the upper right-hand side of the abdomen, under the diaphragm.

Liver is the organ that not only metabolizes nutrients and chemicals, but also affects our mood and emotions. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the liver holds “the soul”; it is associated with the fire element and it is considered more important than the heart, an organ full of energy and powers, making it extremely vital to cleanse the liver regularly. It is believed that when liver function is impaired, it is manifested as irritability, insomnia, depression, anguish, melancholy, and doubt.

If you have any of the following symptoms, such as foggy mind, thick secretions in the throat, sticky coat over the tongue, and pain in the right side of the belly then your body sends firm signs that it is a time for a liver cleanse.

One to four weeks is appropriate in a healthy adult without chronic diseases. During this time you may choose one of the following cleansing regimens. (I deleted the original text, this sounds so much better).

30-day course of Glutathione combined with alcohol abstinence.

Cell death in the liver may be aggravated by a deficiency in antioxidants, including glutathione. This can lead to fatty liver disease in people that consume alcohol excessively and those who don’t. Glutathione can do magic to your body and mind by improving protein, enzyme, and bilirubin levels in the blood.

Traditional supplements + Liver friendly nutrition.

Some supplements, such as milk thistle, may improve liver health. Replace vegetable or canola oil with olive and avocado oil. Cut your salt intake in half or use no more than 1500 mg of sodium, whichever is easier. Remember that ready to eat foods have a high salt content that is used as a preservative. Instead of chips and sweets indulge on vegetables (carrots, celery, cucumbers, or tomatoes) as a snack. Eat fatty fish like wildly caught salmon at least once a week. Explore quinoa, brown, and black rice in place of a white rice and pasta.  Substitute red meat with lean meat such as turkey or chicken. It is easier to digest, and doesn’t make the liver to work too hard. Research has shown that coffee is good for the liver, so one cup a day should be substantial to cleanse the liver. When meal planning, imagine a plate filled with 50% of vegetables, 25% grains (quinoa, brown rice, etc), and 25% of meat. Water, tea, coffee, sparkling water, and coconut water are the best during the liver detox.

Ayurvedic Cleanse

This option is suitable for those who would like to do a complete body reset and ready to undertake few extra steps in order to achieve the best state of well-being. This cleanse consists of preparation, active cleanse, and reintroduction.

In preparation phase, introduce more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Additionally, limit alcohol, coffee, and tobacco use to the best possible minimum. Make sure to avoid processed and greasy foods.

In the active phase, you will consume traditional Ayurvedic healing food called kitchari (made with rice and beans). You can find different recipe variations online. Active phase may last anywhere from 3 to 108 days, but I recommend starting with three days to start seeing results.

Reintroduction phase is going back to regular diet over a few days period. Bayan Botanicals has great resources on the cleanse (follow the link listed below). You don’t need to buy all of the items required for Ayurvedic cleanse on the website. Most products are available on Amazon or your local grocery store.

Having done this option for Liver detox myself, I strongly encourage to try this cleanse at least once. You will see for yourself how beneficial it is on both physiologic and emotional level.

Your liver is a filter and needs to be cleaned at least once a year in order to live a long and healthy life. Feel free to ask questions, post your feedback, or share experience.

References:

Bayan Botanicals. (2019). A Traditional Ayurvedic Cleanse. Retrieved from https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/living-ayurveda/cleansing/a-traditional-ayurvedic-cleanse/

Fatty Liver Foundation (2019). When your liver is compromised by NASH, make it work less. Retrieved from http://www.fattyliverfoundation.org/

Jones, T. (2017). 11 Foods That Are Good for Your Liver. Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com/

Villines, Z. (2017). Do liver cleanses work? Evidence and risks. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/