Liver Cleansing – How To Cleanse And Detoxify Your Liver

Have you ever had a hangover so bad that you’ve considered a liver cleanse? We’ve all been there. It’s the morning after the night before, and your body is seriously struggling to shift that dreaded hangover headache – and you’re looking for the fastest fix to get your body back on top form. For most, this means going on some health kick – or maybe even a juice cleanse. But while you may find that there are countless ‘liver cleanse’ juicing programmes available, according to Yasmin Alexander, BANT Registered Nutritionist, they are not necessary – or even effective. Here, she explains why.  

How to cleanse your liver

According to Yasmin, there is no quick fix when it comes to cleansing your liver. “The liver and kidneys are constantly detoxifying the body, so there is no magic pill you can take to do the process for you,” she says. “That being said, there are certain compounds found within foods which aid the process and support certain phases of detoxification of the liver”.  

Liver cleansing foods    

“Some examples of foods that can aid the detoxification process are cruciferous vegetables such as kale, cauliflower, broccoli, Swiss chard, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, rocket and cress,” says Yasmin. “The food group protein is also crucial for helping the liver and body detox, as many of the enzymes required need protein as a building block. This is where many ‘juice cleanses’ go wrong, as often they are devoid of any protein, which we know is vital,” she continues. Aim for a good quality serving of protein with all meals and snacks. Some examples of good protein sources are chicken, eggs, Greek yoghurt, edamame, fish, beans, pulses, nuts and seeds.   

Generally, focusing on a diet full of colourful fruits and vegetables, lean protein sources and minimising processed foods will aid your liver and body’s natural detox system.  

Vitamins that help cleanse the liver

While no single product will provide you with a liver ‘cleanse’, there are some supplements you can take to boost your body’s overall health and, in the process, help with the liver’s natural detoxification process. Yasmin recommends consuming milk thistle, which can be bought as capsules. For example, try Holland & Barrett Milk Thistle 100mg Capsules, £9.99. 

How long does it take to cleanse your liver

Your body is constantly detoxifying itself, so there is no time scale to how soon or long it will take, as it is an ongoing process.   

Does a liver cleanse help you to lose weight?

There is a dangerous myth surrounding using various ‘cleanses’ to benefit the body’s overall health and cause weight loss. The truth is your body needs a healthy balanced diet to help it function properly and to lose weight sustainably.  

The best way to protect your liver

– Limit alcohol consumption: check out Club Soda to help with cutting down your units  

– Don’t overload your system with too much junk or processed foods 

– Choose medications and supplements carefully: whether prescription or non-prescription drugs or wellness supplements – your liver must process them.  

– Maintain a healthy weight: obesity and diabetes can affect liver function, so try to aim for a healthy weight range for your structure, height and body type. 

– Try to control your toxic load. Limit chemicals in the home, and handle anything harmful with protective care such as gloves, masks and clothing. 

The last word: 

Talk to a medical professional if you have any concerns about your liver function and they can perform specific tests to determine the liver health by measuring the levels of proteins, enzymes, and bilirubin in your blood. 

Next read: The Signs Your Gut Microbiome Is Out Of Balance And Ways To Fix It

Medical disclaimer 

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert.