Is it possible to cleanse and detoxify the liver?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Vo Thi Thuy Trang - Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
The liver is where the work takes place to detoxify our blood, produce bile needed to digest fats, break down hormones, and store essential vitamins, minerals and iron. When liver function is not optimal, we cannot properly digest food, especially fat. That is why it is important to cleanse and detoxify the liver. The article will help with effective ways.

1. What is liver detoxification?

A liver detox, liver cleanse or detox is a definite method of removing toxins from your body, helping you lose weight or improve your health.
You want to do everything you can to take an active role in your health. But if you think you need a liver detox, you should know that it can't do much for you.
Your liver is one of the largest organs in your body. It helps to get rid of waste and process various nutrients and medications.
Most people think that cleansing will help their liver get rid of toxins after they drink too much alcohol or eat unhealthy food. Some hope it will help their liver work better on a daily basis. Many believe it will help treat liver disease.

2. Is liver detoxification safe?

The liver is your body's largest internal organ. It performs more than 500 different functions in your body. One of these functions is to detoxify and neutralize toxins.
Knowing that the liver is the detoxifying organ, you might think that a liver cleanse can help your body recover faster from a big weekend, give your body the health it needs, or boost your metabolism. metabolism so you can lose weight faster. That's what all the "liver cleanses" on the market claim to be able to do.
But truth be told, you may be wasting your money and possibly doing more harm to your body than good. These detoxifiers can harm your liver. Studies have found that liver damage from supplements and herbs is on the rise. For example, green tea extract can cause damage similar to hepatitis. And coffee enema is associated with some treatment regimens that can lead to infections and electrolyte problems that can be deadly.
Other things to know about these programs and products:
Some companies use ingredients that can be harmful. Others have made false claims about how they treat serious illnesses. Unpasteurized juice can make you sick, especially if you're older or have a weakened immune system. If you have kidney disease, a cleanse that includes large amounts of juice can worsen your condition. If you have diabetes, be sure to check with your doctor before you start a diet that changes the way you normally eat. If you fast as part of a detox program, you may feel weak or faint, have a headache, or become dehydrated. If you have hepatitis B that has already damaged your liver, fasting can make the damage worse.

3. Liver cleansing myths and their truth

Myth
1: Liver cleansing is necessary Most liver cleansing products and supplements are available over the counter or even on the internet. And most, if not all, have not been tested in clinical trials and are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
This means that there is no evidence of liver cleansing activity. If anything, they can really harm your system. So if you decide to use them, proceed with extreme caution.
Fact: Some Ingredients May Benefit Your Health Milk Thistle: Milk Thistle is a well-known liver cleansing supplement because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help reduce liver inflammation.
Turmeric: Turmeric has been shown to reduce key pro-inflammatory molecules that contribute to the onset, development, or exacerbation of disease. It may help reduce the risk of liver disease.
Due to turmeric's low bioavailability, it is recommended to take it in supplement form, standardized for 95% curcuminoids. For supplement dosages, follow the instructions on the manufacturer's label.
Research on these and other supplements is ongoing, so talk to your doctor about the potential risks and benefits they may offer you before taking them. use.
Myth
2: A cleansed liver aids weight loss There is no evidence that a liver cleanse aids in weight loss. In fact, studies have shown that certain types of detox diets can lower your body's metabolic rate, which will actually slow down your weight loss.
By cleansing the liver, people can claim to lose weight. But in most cases, it's also just fluid loss. Once these people resume their normal eating habits, they often gain weight very quickly.
Fact: Certain ingredients can help you lose weight The three most important factors to help you lose weight are calories consumed, calories used, and diet quality.
Calorie intake: The recommended daily calorie intake is about 600 to 2,400 calories a day for adult women and 2,000 to 3,000 calories for adult men. Your doctor will probably give you a range that's right for your individual health profile.
Calorie output: Exercise c is essential in burning calories and losing weight. Changing your diet alone will not have good or long-lasting effects. Being active and using up calories helps your body get rid of extra weight.
Diet quality: While calories are important, if you're eating a lower calorie diet and all of those calories come from processed junk food, you may still not can lose weight.
To support your liver to function at its best and help you lose weight, choose high-quality foods instead. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of water, fruits and vegetables
This includes a variety of:
Vegetables Fruits Unrefined whole grains Healthy fats, such as olive oil and Protein nuts, such as chicken, fish and eggs Switching your diet to high-quality unprocessed foods is one of the best ways to help you lose weight. This is because it naturally lowers your calorie intake while increasing the amount of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial compounds you consume. Also regular exercise and following alcohol guidelines can also protect against liver disease which can also help you lose weight
Myth
3: A cleansed liver protects against liver disease Show Currently, there is no evidence that the liver will cleanse and protect against liver disease.
There are more than 100 different forms of liver disease. Some common include:
Hepatitis A, B and C Alcohol-related liver disease Non-alcoholic liver disease

The two biggest risk factors for liver disease are excessive alcohol consumption and a family history of liver disease.
Fact: There are things you can do to protect against liver disease Although you can't change your genetic factors, you can focus on making changes to your lifestyle to protect against diseases. about the liver:
Limit alcohol intake: Alcohol is a poison that your liver will be responsible for dealing with. When consumed in excess, it can cause liver damage. The recommended amount is just one standard drink per day for women and two for men up to age 65. After age 65, men should also return to the standard one drink per day. Drinking alcohol in moderation is the single most important factor in fighting liver disease. Never take medicine, even acetaminophen (Tylenol), in the same 24-hour period when drinking alcohol.
Get vaccinated against hepatitis: Viral hepatitis is a liver disease caused by a virus. If you are at increased risk talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. There is a treatment for hepatitis C, but all types of hepatitis are very hard on the liver. your.
Choose your medications carefully: Your liver has to process medications, so whether it's prescription or over-the-counter, choose them carefully and talk to your doctor about alternatives. Most importantly, never mix alcohol with any drugs.
Beware of needles: Blood carries the hepatitis virus, so never share needles to inject drugs or drugs. And if you're getting a tattoo, make sure you choose a shop that practices safe and clean, inspected and approved by your state health department.
Use condoms: Body fluids also carry viruses, so always practice safe sex.
Handle chemicals safely: Chemicals and toxins can enter your body through your skin. To protect yourself, wear a mask, gloves, and long pants or a shirt when exposed to chemicals, insecticides, fungicides, or paints.
Maintain a healthy weight: Non-alcoholic liver disease has been linked to metabolic problems, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. You can reduce your risk of each disease by making healthy lifestyle choices.
Myth
4: Liver cleanses can fix any existing liver damage There is no evidence that liver cleanses can treat existing liver damage.
Truth: Can Repair Some Damage to your skin or other organs leads to scarring. Your liver is a unique organ because it can regenerate damaged tissue by regenerating new cells.
But regeneration takes time. If you continue to damage your liver from medications, drinking too much alcohol, or a poor diet, this can prevent the regeneration process and can eventually lead to scarring in the liver. Scars are irreversible. When it reaches a more severe level, it is called cirrhosis.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a prestigious address for liver problems with a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors in the field of hepatobiliary disease screening with the support of equipment, Modern medical facilities will help to accurately identify liver related problems.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference sources: webmd.com, healthline.com