The liver is the human body’s largest internal organ and one of the most important for survival. Without it, bodily tissues would die from lack of nutrients and oxygen and the digestive process would not be able to take place. One of the liver’s most important functions is the removal of toxins from your system. This function is why cleansing your liver and living a healthy lifestyle is so crucial. Performing an organic liver cleanse can help remove toxic buildup for overall health and wellness. Before doing a liver cleanse, it is important to understand what the liver is and all of the necessary functions it performs.
The Liver’s Location & Design
Inside your body, the liver sits primarily on the right side. It spans across the top of the abdominal cavity, above your stomach and below your diaphragm, leaning down towards the right kidney. This vital organ is soft and rubbery with a reddish-brown color, weighs about three pounds, and contains one pint of blood at any given moment. It is triangular and consists of two primary lobes made up of 1,000 lobules. These tiny lobules contain small tubes that are connected to larger tubes which form the common hepatic duct. This duct is responsible for transporting bile made by the liver to the gallbladder and the first part of the small intestine known as the duodenum.
Functions of the Liver
The importance of this organ is immense. The liver is responsible for essential activities beyond digestion and filtering toxins. The functions it performs on a daily basis warrant regular health maintenance and care.
Metabolism
The liver is the metabolic center of the body. Controlled by the central nervous system, the liver is responsible for the metabolization of
macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins). This metabolic process also produces
free radicals that antioxidants scavenge to maintain the oxidative and antioxidative balance in the liver. Insulin and glucagon hormones are what drive the metabolic function of this organ.
Production
The liver is responsible for the production of bile, proteins for blood plasma, glucose, and cholesterol. The bile your liver produces helps break down fats in the small intestine and take away waste. The proteins needed for blood plasma are also made in the liver and consist of fibrinogen, prothrombin, and albumins. The first two proteins are coagulation components that aid in the blood-clotting process, while albumins maintain the blood’s environment to keep blood cells at an even hydration level. The production of cholesterol and other proteins help transport fats throughout the body.
The liver helps keep your blood sugar levels even. It produces and distributes glucose depending on your body’s needs. When you eat, your liver holds onto sugar, or glucose, to use as fuel for a later time. If there is little to no sugar present in your body but your organs and red blood cells need it, your liver produces another kind of fuel called ketones derived from fats . A low level of insulin in your body is what triggers this process called ketogenesis.
Storage
The liver acts as a storage unit holding your glucose supply, nutrients, minerals such as iron and copper, and vitamins A, D, E, K, and B-12 . Many of these components are collected from blood passing through the hepatic duct. This function of the liver ensures that a constant supply of these essential nutrients will be provided to the body’s tissues when they need it.
Immunity
The liver is part of the innate immune system, also known as the nonspecific immune system. This type of immune system provides immediate action against infection but does not generate long-lasting immunity to the organism, which is a trait the adaptive immune system carries. The innate immune system identifies an issue and deploys immune cells to the area in need of defense and repair. The liver’s primary immunity function is to identify and remove harmful toxins in the body. It also helps with the production of cells responsible for the activation of the adaptive immune system.
Digestion
It’s the production of bile that places the liver in yet another category— digestion . The cells responsible for this process, called hepatocytes, are found in the parenchymal tissue of the liver. They make up 70-85% of the liver’s mass. Bile is passed through bile ducts and either stored in the gallbladder or released into the duodenum to help with digestion. It is comprised of cholesterol, water, bile salts, and a pigment called bilirubin. These components that make up bile help break down fats into fatty acids.
Detoxification
The liver and kidneys are the main organs responsible for detoxification. The liver protects the body from toxic chemicals by cleaning blood and filtering out harmful chemicals in red blood cells. This process transforms these chemicals into compounds that can then be safely and efficiently removed from the body through urine.
Signs of a Poorly Performing Liver
You are exposed to toxins every day. These toxins can come in the form of water , food preservatives, chemicals, pesticides , and electromagnetic radiation which can greatly affect the liver. There are several signs to look for regarding a troubled liver.
-Tendency for the body to overheat resulting in excessive perspiration
-Difficulty digesting fatty foods
-Heartburn and acid reflux
-Inflammation of the liver
-The development of dark spots, commonly referred to as liver spots, on the skin
-New weight gain or the failure to lose weight ev after lowering calorie intake
-Bloating in the abdomen
-Fat around the upper part of the abdomen
-Pain over or around the liver
-High blood pressure
-Fatigue
-High levels of triglycerides
-Mood swings and depression
-Sleep apne
What Is a Liver Cleanse?
Sometimes referred to as a “liver detox,” a liver cleanse involves following a regulated diet over a period of four to five days and ends with a “flush day.” The objective of a liver cleanse is to reduce or eliminate toxins in the liver so that it can perform all of its functions more effectively.
Why Is a Liver Cleanse Necessary?
The liver is your filter for toxins. After a time it can become clogged with toxic residue, hindering its ability to keep your body free of these unhealthy components.
Think of the liver like the air conditioning filter in your house. You know it’s time to replace or clean it when it becomes dark and clogged. In this state, the filter can no longer keep your house clear of things like dust, pet dander, dirt, and toxins. Before the liver gets to a similar state, it’s time for it to be cleansed of the toxic residue that has built up over time. This will also give the liver time to heal itself.
Steps to Cleanse the Liver
To safely and efficiently detox the liver, try to eat healthy organic meals leading up to a cleanse. Avoid meat, fatty foods, and foods high in sodium such as processed foods. Following a liver cleanse diet lasts about five days and has two phases: the preparation for your liver’s flush (the first four days), and the purge itself on day five.
Following a healthy liver cleanse diet is crucial in the first days of your cleanse. Eat fresh, organic foods and drink purified or distilled water. You may be able to enhance your water with a liver-supporting herbal blend, such as Livatrex® . Global Healing Center includes Livatrex in the Liver Cleanse Kit, a program that helps stimulate the liver and purge toxins.
A week before the cleanse you should rid your
home of toxins , and eliminate products that contain chemicals like nail polish, hairspray, or other chemically produced beauty products. Stay away from alcohol before and after a cleanse, and consider eliminating alcohol from your life altogether. Consult a healthcare professional before undergoing a cleanse.
Days 1-4: Foods to Avoid
There are several foods to avoid during a liver cleanse. Because the liver acts as a filter, only fresh, healthy organic foods are permissible to avoid added buildup and eradicate the liver of residual toxins. Foods to avoid during this time are:
Meat
Dairy products
Fried foods
Processed foods
Frozen foods
Heavy sauces
Condiments
Pastries
Spicy foods
Soda, energy drinks , caffeinated beverages, and tap water
Tobacco products
Alcohol
Days 1-4: Foods to Embrace
In order to support a healthy liver cleanse, there are specific liver-friendly foods that can aid in digestion and promote a healthy evacuation of toxins from your body. These foods contain
vitamins and minerals, namely potassium , that are linked to healthy liver function.
Fruits
Vegetables (preferably eaten raw)
Nuts
Seeds
Foods high in potassium
Water (only distilled, purified, or fluoride-free)
Fresh, natural juices
Herbal teas (non-caffeinated)
Recipes
A healthy liver cleanse should involve homemade meals using only fresh, organic ingredients. Try using these recipes when undergoing a detoxification process.
Dr. Group’s Liver Cleanse Soup
Instructions and ingredients for a healthy liver cleanse soup:
1 organic beet
2 organic carrots
1 cup broccoli
10 organic garlic cloves
½ organic onion
¼ organic lemon
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon Himalayan crystal salt
Wash the vegetables and finely chop the ingredients to your preferred consistency. Pour 32 ounces of distilled or purified water into a soup pot and add all ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and then simmer on low heat for one hour.
Dr. Group’s Liver Cleanse Juice
To alternate meals during your cleanse week, try a blended drink:
3 organic carrots (washed and peeled)
2 organic apples (washed and cut)
1 organic beet (washed and peeled)
6 organic kale leaves
½ organic lemon (washed and peeled)
½ inch ginger root
Blend until the desired consistency is reached.
Days 1-4: Meals
Instead of three large meals, eat five small portions per day (this includes two snacks). Chew your food thoroughly and eat at a slow pace to ensure proper digestion. Drink only distilled water. To enhance flavor and nutrition, you can mix two tablespoons of raw organic apple cider vinegar (ACV) to one gallon of distilled water . Shake and refrigerate. You can prepare this in the morning and enjoy it throughout the day.
Breakfast
Around 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m, start each morning with an eight-ounce glass of the ACV and water mix accompanied by a small bowl of fresh fruit. Make sure to eat only one selected fruit. Watermelon is a great choice due to its water and fiber content. Some of the better choices are:
Watermelon
Papaya
Kiwi
Plums
Pears
Apples
Cherries
Figs
Grapefruit
How Often to Do a Cleanse
The number of times you choose to perform a liver cleanse is up to you. Experts recommend a full cleanse two or three times a year. Always consult a trusted healthcare professional before beginning any cleanse. However, some people perform this process several times with five to 10-day intervals to feel a more profound result. To start your cleanse, try the Liver Cleanse Kit. This all-natural, multi-tiered program uses the power of
Livatrex to kickstart your liver’s natural cleansing abilities, and Oxy-Powder to facilitate toxin removal.