Liver Detox- Perspective and Myths

Introduction:

The liver is the largest vital organ of the body. The main function of the liver is to aid in digestion and detoxify toxins. The liver is a natural detoxifier. A healthy liver can detoxify everything a person encounters. The primary function of the liver is filtration; it converts all toxins into waste products.

What Are the Signs of a Bad Liver?

When the liver is diseased, the body cannot filter out the toxins efficiently, causing a wide range of symptoms:

• Jaundice (yellowing of skin, whites of eyes, and mucous membranes).

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Fatigue.

• Blood vessel issues.

• Gallstones.

• Loss of appetite and diarrhea.

• Itching on the skin.

What Is Liver Detoxification?

A liver detox is a program that claims to cleanse, flush and detox the toxins from the body. This program also claims to help in losing weight and improving health. Cleansing and flushing out toxins from the body is naturally done by the liver; it is important to keep the liver healthy to limit overindulgence. Many natural health care practitioners and companies claim that it is necessary to detoxify the liver; they state that the liver accumulates some amount of toxins in the process of filtration, which may lead to cancer, but this is not completely supported scientifically. However, exposure to certain chemicals, habits, and drug abuse can lead to liver damage.

What Is the Perspective of People on Liver Detox?

Many people assume that liver detox can help to get rid of toxins that accumulate by drinking alcohol and consuming an unhealthy diet. Others do think that it may also help in protecting liver health and improving its working efficiency. People think that it is also a cure for a wide range of liver diseases and claim that it helps in weight loss.

How to Detox the Liver?

Liver detox involves one or more of the following:

• Avoiding certain foods.

• Going on a juice diet.

• Eating a liver-friendly diet.

• Taking herbal supplements to flush out toxins from the body.

• Cleaning the colon with the use of enemas.

Are These Liver Detox Programs Safe?

None of the liver detox or supplements can fix liver damage. Detoxes can harm the liver. Some studies show an increase in liver damage due to herbal and dietary supplements. For example, coffee enemas can lead to infection, electrolyte problems, and deadly situations, while green tea extract can cause damage similar to hepatitis.

What Are the Myths Associated With Liver Detox?

There are a few myths associated with liver detox or liver flush; they are:

1. Liver detox is safe and effective in losing weight. Many detox products claim that they help in losing weight, but there is no clinical data to support such claims. Such supplements can harm the gut and liver, and overconsumption of them can be hazardous too.

2. Liver detox does not protect one against liver disease. This is the biggest myth, and detox is not a cure for any liver disease; it is only a marketing strategy.

3. Liver detox can correct liver damage.

4. Obesity does not increase one’s liver disease. Obesity increases the risk of getting nonalcoholic fatty liver; this may cause inflammation and lead to liver cirrhosis (a serious disease of the liver caused by too much alcohol drinking) and fibrosis of the liver.

5. Liver detox is important for overall health maintenance.

6. These detoxes are helpful after one is overindulged.

Does Liver Detox Help in Losing Weight?

There is no proven clinical theory about this. Supporters believe that flushing the liver toxins from the body can aid in metabolism, which will help in losing weight. But on the contrary, a very low-calorie diet can slow the body's metabolism because the body adapts to low nutrient intake by absorbing nutrients slowly. Some detox programs add a few calories to lose weight, but these will only give temporary weight loss, which will return once the person starts eating normally.

Are These Liver Detox Necessary?

Most of the products and supplements are OTC (over-the-counter) or are sourced from the internet, which are not tested clinically or regulated or approved by FDA (U.S. Food and drug administration). There is no proof of how they work; they may cause damage to the system. So, if one decides to use them, proceed with extreme caution.

What Are the Symptoms of a Detoxing Liver?

The symptoms of a detoxing liver are:

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Confusion.

• Irritability.

• Excessive sweating.

• Headache.

• Increased heart rate.

• Anxiety.

• Increased blood pressure.

• Tremors.

Which Ingredients Can Be Beneficial in a Liver Detox Program?

• Milk Thistle: Milk Thistle is a liver detox supplement. It is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help in reducing liver inflammation.

• Turmeric: Turmeric decreases proinflammatory molecules, which contribute to initiating, developing, and worsening inflammation and disease; it also helps in reducing the risk of liver disease.

How to Naturally Detox the Liver?

It is a fact that genetic disorders cannot be controlled and changed by people, but one can try lifestyle modifications for a healthy liver. Following are the guidelines for a healthy liver:

• One must get vaccinated. Vaccination is a blessing. Hepatitis is caused by viruses, and hepatitis A and B vaccinations are provided against it. Also, hepatitis C has been cured by a line of medications. As all these conditions of hepatitis affect the liver’s health. Following the protocols are very necessary for a healthy liver.

• Avoid consuming more alcohol. Alcohol is a toxin, and when alcohol enters the body, the liver is responsible for its metabolism and excretion. More alcohol intake causes more damage to the liver.

• The liver is responsible for the processing of medications; many OTC drugs are harmful to the liver. So avoid taking such drugs, and talk to the health care provider. Do not mix medication and alcohol.

• Have hygienic food and drink uncontaminated water.

• Maintain a healthy weight. Excessive weight and obesity can lead to fatty liver deposition on the liver which, in turn, may affect the liver's health. Maintaining a healthy weight is necessary for the body’s and liver’s overall health.

• Use condoms, and avoid unsafe sex.

• Handle chemicals safely.

• Beware of using syringes, needles, and drug abuse.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Rinse fruits and vegetables.

Conclusion:

Liver detox is just a myth, a marketing strategy for which people fall. The liver is naturally a detoxifying organ; it is not necessary to detoxify the liver; it detoxifies itself in the process. These programs, which claim the above, do more harm than good, hindering a natural process. Change in lifestyle and following certain hygiene protocols itself is enough for a healthy liver and a healthy life.