Why liver detoxification

They also metabolize and excrete toxins, rendering them harmless. Another set of cells in the liver called macrophages help rid the blood of dead cells and cellular debris and help clear the blood of any invading microbes. However, this ability is limited if your liver is severely damaged. There are simple things you can do to help your liver function at its best — no detox teas needed. Moving your body can help protect your liver. Exercise burns calories, which reduces your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension and high blood fats.

These conditions have been linked to fatty liver disease , a common cause of liver inflammation and scarring that can ultimately lead to cirrhosis. Eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains and avoiding too much fat and salt will also help keep your liver healthy. There is currently no evidence to prove that liver cleanses can treat existing damage to the liver. Damaging your skin or other organs in your body results in scars. Your liver is a unique organ because it can regenerate damaged tissue by regenerating new cells.

But regeneration does take time. If you continue to injure your liver via drugs, excessive alcohol intake, or poor diet, this can prevent regeneration, which may eventually lead to scarring of the liver. Scarring is irreversible. Learn more: Cirrhosis and hepatitis C ». Some may even be harmful. Other healthier lifestyle habits are far…. Type 2 diabetes raises the risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and other liver conditions.

Take a moment to learn more about the link…. High in vitamin B and iron, liver extract sounds like a forgotten miracle treatment. Milk thistle is an herbal remedy with many potential uses. Here are 7 benefits of milk thistle that are backed by science. If you have ascites, you have fluid in the space between the abdominal lining and the organs. An alkaline phosphatase level test can help identify health concerns in your liver, gallbladder, and more.

The liver is a powerhouse organ, performing a variety of tasks that are essential to maintaining good health. Eat these 11 foods for optimal liver…. Lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk for fatty liver disease and damage. Learn what 10 foods you should eat and what 6 foods to avoid. Fatty liver disease is best managed with lifestyle changes. Because these problems are so prevalent in America, it is no wonder that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common form of liver disease and affects at least one-third of the adult population 4.

Other risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease include 3 :. The symptoms of lowered liver function and disease can be quite vast. It can cause yellowing of skin and eyes, swelling in the abdomen or legs and ankles, itchy skin, dark urine or pale stool, chronic fatigue, reduced appetite and weight loss, nausea or vomiting, easy bruising, or even confusion or trouble concentrating 3.

Since symptoms of lowered liver function and even full-blown liver disease are often mild or vague like nausea or fatigue , it can take time to recognize that the issues are stemming from the liver.

This is part of the reason why detoxification is becoming so popular, even among people who are relatively healthy but find that something is off about their health. Having more energy, reducing toxic buildup, encouraging more regular bowel movements, losing weight, reducing bloat, regulating hormones, and fixing skin issues are some of the most common reasons people seek detoxes 5, 6, 7.

For those who do have liver disease, detoxifying and reducing liver fat deposit is crucial. Not only can those with NAFLD see these benefits through focusing on liver health, but they will see greater health overall and lowered risk of developing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis 2, 3, 4, 7.

If you are experiencing the symptoms listed above, it is definitely worth talking to one of our physicians about your liver health. There are a number of blood tests that determine liver function through measuring markers such as glycogen, protein, blood clotting factors, cholesterol, fat, bile, and hormone levels 8.

The results can also help indicate what may be causing lowered liver function. Whether it be inflammation and damage from toxins and excess fat, swelling due to an abscess or tumor, bile irregularities due to gallstones, or an underlying disease, blood tests can usually point toward the general direction of the liver issue 8.

Ultrasounds are especially helpful to help determine if the underlying issue is fatty liver disease and help to get a sense of how progressed the disease is 9. At Temecula Center of Integrative Medicine, we offer executive physicals, which is an in-depth physical that includes a wide range of testing, including liver ultrasounds to screen for fatty liver disease.

This allows us to get a very dialed-in and accurate picture of your overall health, including cardiac, lung, immune system, and liver health. As with any other type of issue, focusing on the 5 pillars of health is key to helping improve overall health.

The liver is on the right side of the body, just under the rib cage,. When the liver is diseased, the body cannot filter out toxic substances as efficiently. This can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:. A variety of natural health practitioners, supplement companies, and medical websites argue that the liver accumulates toxins during the filtering process.

They insist that over time, these toxins can cause a range of nonspecific symptoms and may even cause serious diseases or increase the risk of cancer. There is little evidence to support this. Over time, however, exposure to chemicals can damage the liver. For example, drinking alcohol is a well-known way to ruin liver function over time. While liver failure is a serious health problem, there is no evidence that dangerous toxins accumulate in otherwise healthy livers without specific exposure to large amounts of these chemicals.

Mainstream medical practitioners argue that the liver does not need detoxing and that doing so might even be dangerous. A healthy liver naturally cleanses itself. An unhealthy liver will not get better with a liver cleanse. A person with liver disease needs proper medical treatment and may require lifestyle or dietary changes. Some evidence suggests that supplements, such as milk thistle, may improve liver health.