Liver Protectors

The liver is the second biggest organ of our body and one of the most important since it works non-stop to eliminate toxins from the blood. Moreover, it also produces essential enzymes and hormones while being the most important organ to digest fat.

Nowadays, we eat too much apart from eating processed foods and drinking alcohol. These are risk factors for the proper functioning of the liver.

There are specific protocols to detoxify the liver which are usually prescribed by a physician. However, you can try different natural methods and change some habits when it comes to preventing or improving some mild problems. In fact, this will help you cleanse such an important organ while improving your health in general.

A good diet combined with the intake of some herbs and liver protectors (such as curcumin and milk thistle) can improve the hepatic function.

How does the liver work?

Every person has around 300 billion cells on the blood. Every minute, 1.5 liters of blood flow through the liver, providing all the nutrients the body needs from the bowel: protein, fat and carbohydrates. Moreover, it also oxygenates the blood from the arteries.

Thanks to this, the body can eliminate the toxins and regenerate the proteins, enzymes, vitamins and trace elements, apart from transforming all the carbohydrates into energy for the muscles.

The liver also plays a crucial role in the metabolism of fat, cholesterol, and the production of bile.

Those harmful substances that enter the body through food, drugs or the environment are destroyed by the liver. In addition, this organ breaks down alcohol and other foreign substances, so that they will not affect the body and instead, they are excreted through the urea and bile.

Moreover, the liver cells have the ability to identify pathogenic elements and protect us from them. This organ also has the ability to regenerate itself.

Liver protectors are an essential support to heal and regenerate this organ more quickly.

How do we know if the liver is not working properly?

Since this organ has no nerves, we will not experience any pain. In fact, the symptoms of a bad functioning of this organ tend to go unnoticed.

The symptoms of liver inflammation are a yellowing of the skin and eyes. When this inflammation is caused by a virus, the symptoms are mild fever, fatigue, and general discomfort.

How is it diagnosed?

At first, liver infections can be diagnosed with a blood test. If the liver damage is due to other factors, such as a poor diet or too much alcohol, it may be necessary to further study and monitor the patient as well as to perform more liver tests.

How to cleanse the liver and prevent hepatic problems

1. Less alcohol and caffeine

Both substances can increase the accumulation of toxins in the liver, resulting in its malfunctioning. Cleanse your liver drinking less alcohol and caffeine. It is much better to replace them with drinks that are alcohol and caffeine-free in order to cleanse and regenerate the liver. 

2. Drink two liters of water a day

We are sure that this is not the first time that you have heard this tip, but do you really drink that much? Drinking two liters of water a day is the best way to detoxify the liver and eliminate toxins.

3. Start drinking lemon juice

Drink lemon juice mixed in water once a day, on an empty stomach before breakfast. Lemon juice increases the production of bile, which stimulates the elimination of toxins. Lemon juice on an empty stomach is also a great remedy to prevent stones or gallstones, while supporting a correct digestion and the functioning of the liver during bowel movements.

4. Drink two infusions a day

Infusions made from green tea, red tea, boldo, sage, milk thistle, dandelion and burdock are very effective ways to improve our liver heatlh.

5. Eat more fruit

Fruit such as blackberries, blueberries, raspberries or strawberries will improve your  liver health. Red berries are rich in substances that lower the blood glucose and help to eliminate fats, preventing the onset of diseases related to the accumulation of fat in the liver (fatty liver).

6. Avoid processed foods

Processed foods contain many preservatives, harmful fats and they increase the blood cholesterol levels. All these factors can saturate the liver with fatty residues. Try eating less fried food and canned meat, avoid industrial bakery products, snacks, butter and margarine and everything that may contain hydrogenated oils. Moreover, you should also avoid those products that may contain sweeteners, color additives or preservatives. You cannot go wrong with natural foods.

7. Eat more veggies

Vegetables are your best choice when it comes to improving liver health. Beta-carotene-rich vegetables stimulate the production of liver cells and protect it from harmful substances. Green-leaf vegetables, such as spinach or arugula, support the cell growth and the proper functioning of the liver, while beetroot, for example, protects the bile ducts against the damage caused by toxins.

8. Deal with stress

When we are stressed, our body releases hormones and endorphins into the bloodstream that deposit toxins in the liver. Meditation or yoga are activities that can help us deal with stress.

9. Use natural home-cleaning products

Home-cleaning products usually contain a lot of chemicals and the liver must work twice as hard in order to stay healthy. Instead, try using home-cleaning products made from natural ingredients. Vinegar, lemon, tea tree oil or baking soda can be used to clean your home.

10. Buy an air purifier for your home

The toxins that are floating in the air can also enter our body and the liver will have to deal with them. An air purifier is a great way to improve your health, specially if you live in the city or by a busy road. 

11. Do exercise

Physical exercise will help you maintain a healthy body weight, which lowers the risk of diseases caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver. Moreover, it will also improve the functioning of the liver enzymes.

12. Take food supplements

There are many supplements available to improve your liver health, such as milk thistle, boldo, glutathione and curcumin, to name a few

What supplements are liver protectors?

• Dandelion: its root helps to cleanse the liver, buffers the negative effects of medications and reduces the inflammation.
• Glutathione: it is a powerful antioxidant that also works as a liver protector. Glutathione helps us get rid of heavy metals and harmful substances for our body.
• NAC: N-acetylcysteine is a derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine. It buffers the oxidative stress, reduces the inflammation and improves the functioning of the liver.
• Alpha Lipoic Acid: also known as thioctic acid, it is a substance with a powerful antioxidant effect that improves the ability of the liver to detoxify the body.
• Milk Thistle: this plant is rich in antioxidants, such as silymarin, which helps to protect the liver from toxins and contaminants apart from stimulating its regeneration.
• B Vitamins: Vitamin B1 or thiamine, B6 or pyridoxine and B12 or cyanocobalamin, are crucial for our liver health.
• Soy Lecithin: it transport the fat accumulated in the liver and lowers the cholesterol levels. Moreover, it prevents the onset of stones or gallstones.
• Curcumin: Turmeric is a powerful liver protector, and it has been used as a natural remedy in Asia for centuries. It is a bile toner that helps to eliminate stones from the gallbladder. It also has anti-inflammatory effects.
• Artichoke: it helps to improve the fat metabolism.

Foods that promote liver health