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PrintModern society has created a sad state for our over-processed livers. Anytime we overeat or eat processed or fried foods, and, anytime we are exposed to environmental pollutants or stress, the liver becomes overworked and overloaded. When the liver is taxed, it cant process toxins and fat in an efficient way. There are many foods that can help cleanse the liver naturally by stimulating the natural ability to clean toxic waste from the body.
List of Foods that Cleanse the Liver
In the past, I have discusses my favorite cleansing foods. This list is a little more specific and focuses mainly on foods that can help cleanse your liver. In addition to taking a liver-cleansing supplement, and performing at least two liver and gallbladder cleanses per year, eating the following foods is the best way to keep your liver healthy and functioning the way you need it to. I would encourage you to incorporate these liver cleanse foods into your weekly diet.
1. Garlic
Just a small amount of this pungent white bulb has the ability to activate liver enzymes that helps your body flush out toxins. Garlic also holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing.
2. Grapefruit
High in both vitamin C and antioxidants, grapefruit increasea the natural cleansing processes of the liver. A small glass of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice will help boost production of liver detoxification enzymes that help flush out carcinogens and other toxins.
3. Beets and Carrots
Both extremely high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene, eating both beets and carrots can help stimulate and improve overall liver function.
4. Green Tea
This liver-loving beverage is chock-full of plant antioxidants known as catechins, a constituent known to assist the livers overall functions. Green tea is not only delicious, it’s also a great way to improve your overall diet. Learn more about the benefits of green tea.
5. Leafy Green Vegetables
One of our most powerful allies in cleansing the liver, leafy greens can be eaten raw, cooked or juiced. Extremely high in plant chlorophylls, greens literally suck up environmental toxins from the blood stream. With their distinct ability to nuetralize heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides, these cleansing foods offer a powerful protective mechanism for the liver.
Try incorporating leafy greens such as bitter gourd, arugula, dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens and chicory into your diet. This will help increase the creation and flow of bile, the substance that removes waste from the organs and blood.
6. Avocados
This nutrient-dense super-food helps the body produce glutathione, which is necessary for the liver to cleanse harmful toxins. Recent studies indicate improved liver health when avocados are eaten regularly.
7. Apples
High in pectin, apples hold the chemical constituents needed for the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. This, in turn, makes it easier for the liver to handle the toxic load during the cleansing process.
8. Olive Oil
Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp and flax-seed are great for the liver, when used in moderation. They help the body by providing a lipid base that can suck up harmful toxins in the body. In this way, it takes some of the burden off the liver in terms of the toxic overload that many of us suffer from.
9. Whole Grains
Grains, such as brown rice, are rich in B-complex vitamins, nutrients known to improve overall fat metabolization, liver function and liver decongestion. If possible, do not eat foods with white flour, instead try eating whole wheat alternatives.
10. Cruciferous Vegetables
Eating broccoli and cauliflower will increase the amount of glucosinolate in your system, adding to enzyme production in the liver. These natural enzymes help flush out carcinogens, and other toxins, out of our body which significantly lowers our risk of cancer.
11. Lemons & Limes
These citrus fruits contain very high amounts of the vitamin C, which aids the body in synthesizing toxic material into substance that can be absorbed by water. Drinking freshly-squeezed lemon or lime juice in the morning helps stimulate the liver.
12. Walnuts
Holding high amount of the amino acid arginine, walnuts aid the liver in detoxifying ammonia. Walnuts are also high in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids which support normal liver cleansing actions. Make sure you chew the nuts well (until they are liquefied) before swallowing.
13. Cabbage
Much like broccoli and cauliflower, eating cabbage helps stimulate the activation of two crucial liver detoxifying enzymes that help flush out toxins. Try eating more kimchi, coleslaw, cabbage soup and sauerkraut.
14. Turmeric
The liver’s favorite spice. Try adding some of this detoxifying goodness into your next lentil stew or veggie dish for an instant liver pick-me-up. Turmeric helps boost liver detox, by assisting enzymes that actively flush out known dietary carcinogens.
Tips For Doing a Liver Cleanse
Other liver cleanse foods not listed above are artichoke, asparagus, kale and brussel sprouts. Eating the foods listed above is a great way to keep your liver functioning properly. However, for the best results, I would recommend doing a liver cleanse. Doing a liver cleanse at least twice a year will eliminate any foreign substances that may be trapped in your liver.
Related Articles:
- Take the Liver & Gallbladder Health Test
- Common Questions About Liver Cleansing
- 10 Foods that Detox the Body
April 26th, 2012 at 11:23 am
Can you provide any scientific proof regarding your statement that “These natural enzymes… significantly lowers our risk of cancer”?
Thanks
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April 24th, 2012 at 11:22 am
Great article! Thanks for all the healthy tips !
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April 6th, 2012 at 12:22 am
Hi,
I am a 37 yr old female who has had my gallbladder removed a few years ago. Could you please give me some advice on ways I can detox and get my liver healthy. I have been on strong painkillers recently for a operationand I suffer with migraines. I am determined to do whatever it takes to get healthy as always thought I could eat what I wanted without effect until I find myself in the toilet paying the price. Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Valerie
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March 18th, 2012 at 7:42 pm
thanks for such an informative page
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March 6th, 2012 at 6:54 pm
Besides all the above foods, I have discovered that many other fruits are also good for the liver. For quick results, I have had the best luck with all natural, liquid liver cleanse supplements. Thanks for this great article.
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March 5th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
A Chinese doctor told me that I needed to cleanse my liver yesterday. I already knew I had to. Although other docs at free clinics tell me my liver is working properly another told me about lesions on my liver and I was an alcoholic for many years and started getting boils and edema. I know my liver is overloaded and needs a fresh start. I want to cleanse but its great to have a list of foods that can help keep it clean. I will try it all and also take milk thistle. I also don’t think grains are all that good for people or for liver function. I’ll use them sparingly in regards to my liver. Sugar is my cross to bear. Lol. Thanks for this post.
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Dr. J replied on April 26th, 2012:
If you’re in that rough of shape, you need to see a physician. For advanced liver disease, supplements can sometimes do more harm than good. You may need some more heavy-duty help with medications. At least get your liver function tested for peace of mind.
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KIM replied on April 9th, 2012:
use milk thistle liver cleanser
detoxify and support from nature’s secret.
I use this myself, it works, you will actually feel better just after a couple of weeks, take one or two a day. order it online.
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February 17th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
I just want to say Thanks. I just wanted to know what food works and here they are. I wish I could find a list of food’s not to eat with out hearing a promising lengthy video that turns out to be a sales pitch. LOL
I will add an amazing discovery. I found I can turn on my tread mill AND my TV at the same time. An easy hour long walk is saving my life.
Good luck to everyone on their journey to better health.
Gerry.
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February 5th, 2012 at 11:28 am
I want to know drinking plain soda water regularly is harmful or not
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Anita Jo Lenhart replied on February 17th, 2012:
soda water is not good for your bones over the long hall: avoid carbonated beverages. Edgar Cayce said they were poison.
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December 11th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Besides all the above foods, I have discovered that ‘Goji Berries’ are also pretty good for blood/liver. They have very high antioxidant levels, more than apples & oranges. Also they contain some key amino-acids beneficial for the body.
So, google for ‘goji berry’ for more info. You shall find out.
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November 16th, 2011 at 9:58 pm
I have been doing some research on Turmeric and I was happy to see that you gave a good discription of what Turmeric does in your body. It has many amazing properties and it is an ingredient in our product both my husband and I take daily. It is Protandim and it consists of 5 herbs and turns your genes on to clean up your body.
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November 16th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Great article ! I especially like the avocados, with the mention of the nutirent glutathione, to clease out the harmful toxins.
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October 24th, 2011 at 11:55 am
Question, what do you recommend eating in place of whole wheat bread?
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courtney replied on January 17th, 2012:
some kind of multi-grain, multi-seed, or sprouted grains bread would do the job just fine.
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March 9th, 2011 at 11:40 am
Thanks for the great info. I am heading to whole foods now to pick up what I need to start my first liver cleanse.
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February 7th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Good starter info, although there are many, more vegetables and fruits that help cleanse the system overall. Anything you put in your body, and if you consume that particular food will eventually effect every single cell of your body, keeping a slightly alkalized pH balance will cleanse the body naturally. Most of the foods listed above will help alkalize the body’s pH level except most teas.
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January 15th, 2011 at 7:16 am
Thank you !!!! This is a big eye opener . For so long all of us always try to look for the best way to keep our bodies healthier but so many companies only offer their products but never on the wedsite they tell you any real info or advice for healthy matters.
But Dr Group is really clear and specific with issues and solutions about body cleansing facts and advices !!! Thank you again for been a big help in our health !!!
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August 3rd, 2010 at 8:31 am
What about coffee? There are a lot of studies that say coffee is good for the liver and gall bladder (among other things). Or is that just hype? If so, how do you determine if it is hype and the ones you did list are not?
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Janice replied on July 3rd, 2011:
Coffee is good but as an enema only. Coffee enemas with organic coffee.
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Heath replied on March 8th, 2012:
When doing a liver cleanse do you really need to do the coffee enema and is that safe to do at home or are there any clinics willing to do a liver cleanse safely for you instead x
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August 3rd, 2010 at 8:06 am
Can’t say that I agree with number 9. Grains wreak havok on the body, reducing the body’s ability to process vitamin D (1). They cause injury to gastrointestinal tract (2). I know you tout the B-vitamins in grains, however, grains also contain phyates, which in fact reduce absorption of minerals in humans(3). There are plenty of dietary choices in which you can receive B-vitamins, without the harmful physiological effects of grain consumption.
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July 8th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Excellent Dr. Group. Thank you!
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