The human liver is responsible for a wide host of metabolic activities. If it is not operating smoothly, it will have trouble clearing out the toxins that enter your body on a daily basis. Fortunately, you can help your liver rebound and run optimally when you make some basic lifestyle changes.
Avoid Toxins
The most direct way to help improve your liver function is to reduce exposure to toxins. The liver is primarily responsible for clearing alcohol, medications, pesticides, food additives and more. It may be impossible to avoid toxins altogether, but you can help by consciously avoiding alcohol, drugs, cigarette smoke and junk foods. Eat foods rich in antioxidants (such as blueberries) or take antioxidant supplements that help keep your liver healthy.
Drink Water
By drinking a lot of filtered water each day, you are keeping your liver healthy, because water helps it metabolize toxins more quickly. Drink about half of your body weight in ounces (so if you weigh 160 pounds, drink 80 ounces) to replace lost fluids and flush out your system.
Eat a Balanced Diet
According to the American Liver Foundation, eating a balanced diet rich with foods from all four food groups will help you obtain plenty of nutrients to help keep your liver healthy.
Supplement your diet by eating foods containing sulfur. Foods that are rich in sulfur help the liver detoxify chemicals, including egg yolks, garlic and onions. Also eat cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, collard greens, broccoli and kale. Get plenty of fiber by eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains. They help your liver metabolize foods easier.
Cut back on fatty, deep-fried foods, which may contribute to gallstones (an issue related to the liver). Additionally, reduce consumption of salted, cured and smoked foods. Instead of salting foods, use seasonings such as garlic and thyme as alternatives for flavoring.
Eat Clean Foods
Because the liver is forced to clean viruses and bacteria from the body, eat fresh foods that are free from pesticides, such as free-range eggs and chickens and certified produce from a reputable source. Also avoid eating packaged/processed foods that are full of chemicals, and avoid reheating food more than once, because each time you heat something, it gives bacteria a chance to multiply. Unfortunately, because not even organic and free-range foods are guaranteed to be free of damaging substances, thoroughly wash your food and your hands before you eat.
Milk Thistle
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, milk thistle has been used for 2,000 years as a treatment for liver problems and its effects have been studied in scientific settings. While its efficacy has not been firmly established, science speculates that a compound (silymarin) within milk thistle helps to protect the liver from toxins and helps to repair liver cells. Discuss milk thistle with your primary care physician to determine if you could benefit from taking it as a supplement.
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