10 Steps for Liver Support and Cleansing

Proper liver support and cleansing is critical to your health, disease prevention, and how well you age. As the companion article “A Healthy Liver is Key to Effective Aging!” pointed out, your liver is an amazing organ. Over 500 chemical and metabolic functions take place in the liver. This article outlines the steps needed to make a positive impact on the health of your liver. The more you support your liver the greater your opportunity to live a healthier life and slow down the aging process.

10 Steps for Liver Support and Cleansing

• Step 1 – Reduce your consumption of foods with artificial chemicals, artificial ingredients, artificial colorings, and preservatives. Every artificial substance that you bring into your body will have a direct impact on your liver. Take the time to read labels and find alternatives. At least 80% of the food you currently eat could be replaced by food items that are free of artificial substances. This first step is critical for proper liver support.

• Step 2 – Increase your water intake. This becomes even more important if you diet, fast, or exercise because the fat-soluble toxins that were stored in your fat cells are going to be released back into your system. Your liver will have to process these fat-soluble toxins and convert them into water-soluble products that your body can eliminate through bile and urine. If you’re dehydrated then you will slow down this process. It’s estimated that 75% of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration.

• Step 3 – Increase your fiber intake. The suggested amount of fiber is 25-30 grams of fiber per day. You need fiber to properly absorb bile otherwise the toxins in the bile can be reabsorbed back into your system. Additionally, fiber will help keep your colon clean, help lower cholesterol, and can reduce weight gain by giving you a feeling of fullness.

• Step 4 – You need a diet rich in vegetables and certain fruits. No longer can you pass your broccoli off to someone else. The cabbage family of vegetables is important for both liver support and cancer protection. Switch out any grapefruit product for orange juice or tangerines.

• Step 5 – You need a good vitamin supply through food or through supplementation. Make sure that all the B vitamins are included with at least 500 mg of vitamin C and adequate amounts of vitamin E.

• Step 6 – You need a good mineral supply. You can try to achieve this through your food but it will be better achieved through supplementation. I say this because most soil in the United States has been depleted of its mineral content. Most of the mineral content is in the skin of the food. Never pass up your potato skins ‘cause they are a great source of minerals. Get a good mineral supplement that contains magnesium, copper, zinc and selenium.

• Step 7 – Make sure you’re getting enough Glutathione. This is a critical step in proper liver support. We’ve already seen how important glutathione is in both Phase One and Phase Two of liver detoxification, but glutathione is also found in all cells. It is your master antioxidant to protect you from free radical damage in all areas of your body. People who have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruit, and meat should normally get enough glutathione from their diet.

   

  You will note in Step 5, I suggested 500 mg of vitamin C. Research showed that this amount of vitamin C increased the average red blood cell glutathione concentration by nearly 50%. The reason is vitamin C increases the rate of synthesis of glutathione. However, more of vitamin C in this particular area is not necessary better. When vitamin C intake was increased to 2000 mg there was only an additional 5% increase in glutathione synthesis.

• Step 8 – Digestive enzymes are important for both digestion as well as insuring that your body doesn’t steal the metabolic enzymes necessary for liver support. Fresh fruits and vegetables will aid in this area especially if they are ripe. Chewing your food properly also benefits both your digestive system as well as your liver.

• Step 9 – Stop smoking. Not only does smoking affect your lungs and heart but it puts an additional strain on your liver because it depletes glutathione so significantly.

• Step 10 – Supplement with Silymarin. There are several plants that have shown beneficial effects on liver function, but the most impressive research seems to be on silymarin, a flavoniod extract from milk thistle. Silymarin prevents liver damage in three significant ways. First, it acts as a powerful antioxidant. Second, it increases the synthesis of glutathione. Third, it increases the rate of liver tissue regeneration. I don’t want to hype this too much but both human and animal studies have shown very positive results in providing liver support. The standard dosage for silymarin is 70-210 mg three times per day.

One Final Thought On Liver Support

Don’t take this the wrong way but most of your brain is made up of fatty compounds. As we have already talked about most toxins are fat-soluble. If not filtered and treated by the liver then they will be stored in fatty tissue. Since your brain and hormonal glands are fatty organs, they are common sites for fat-soluble toxins to accumulate. This may result in brain dysfunction and hormonal imbalances such as infertility, breast pain, menstrual disturbances, adrenal gland exhaustion and early menopause.

The daily care of your liver is the simplest and most effective method to cleanse your blood, remove toxins, take the load off your immune system, and help you live a healthier and potentially longer life.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer