Feel better–Cleanse your liver: get it flowing–Your liver works hard to keep you balanced

Clean out our livers regularly. Here’s why:

Your liver is an organ that sits just under the rib cage on the right side of the abdomen. The liver is needed to help digest food, rid the body of waste products and make substances—called clotting factors—that keep the blood flowing well, among some 450 different things to keep you balanced and healthy. While this post is not going to diagnose a liver function, it provides some food-based resources to help keep it clean and functional. There is no harm in any of these suggestions. Try to incorporate one per day if only to address the fact that most of us live in a toxic environment and/or consume packaged food with concerning ingredients. Not that you each junk food, and there are many good options available as we become more aware and demanding. Sometimes ideas are quick, simple, and delicious—I hope these liver-cleaning ideas can be incorporated into your life.

• Want to get rid of midsection fat? Clean your liver.
• Concerned about risk of heart attacks? Clean your liver to decrease risk.
• Concerned about your cholesterol profile? Clean your liver where different types of particles are made (most do not come from cholesterol in foods. Lower is not better)
• Experiencing hormone imbalances? Your liver both activates hormones and deactivates them.

If your liver is overworked and struggling to keep up, here are sympoms you may experience:

• Constant tiredness.
• Trouble sleeping
• Excessive gas and bloating
• Stubborn weight gain
• “Brain Fog” and mood swings
• Itchy skin
• Yellowing skin ow whites of eyes (jaundice)

Causes:

Infections:

• Past mononucleosis, also called Epstein Barr virus, is a member of the herpes family that can reside in the liver without overt symptoms.
• Hepatitis A, B, and/or C can also be difficult to address and often cause liver inflammation even at residual amounts.
• Parasites, especially those that imbalance gut.

Genetics: although this is more commonly habits learned from family members (“I’ve done this all my life”). Wilson’s disease and hemochromatosis are fairly uncommon.

Certain medications: Your liver sees most medications a foreign substances and works hard to eliminate them just like any toxic compound. Especially common medications that affect liver function are Statins, antibiotics, acetaminophen (Tylenol) if taken in excess or long-term, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen, many antifungals, the list is long… always read the precautionary statements in the package insert and/or ask the prescribing doctor if this can occur.

Certain immune system conditions including autoimmune hepatitis.

Exposures to any of the 80,000-plus toxic chemicals in use today, including excessive alcohol consumption. These come from many sources, including food, air, water, and household products:

• Food: Pesticides, preservatives, artificial dyes, and additives
• Air: Air pollution from gasses, liquids, and particles
• Water: Drinking water may contain PFAS
• Household products: Cleaning products, cosmetics, candles, air fresheners, plastic containers, and more
• Personal care products: Fragrances, soaps, and other products
• Building materials: Flame retardants, formaldehyde, polyvinyl chloride and other chemicals

8 drinks to clean out your liver and gall bladder (and benefit other health matters)

For each simple blend, I’ve included why each component helps your liver and other health matters. Feel free to mix and match to make your own signature blend. And… feel free to share it in the comments, below. These are all fruits and vegetables to give you powerful liver and health loving antioxidants, great sources of vitamins and nutrients that are sorely lacking in pretty much anything that comes with a label.

Find your favorites and drink one each day while you find and fix other sources of imbalances, inflammaton, and toxicities.

Note: these are not juiced. They are blended to leave in the fibers so valuable for gut health and bowel regularity. You want these because many of the beneficial bacteria make nutrients your body needs in exchange for “eating” those fibers.

For each, use a cup of water plus the listed ingredients. Feel free to add a few ice cubes if that is your preference—personally I’m not a fan of cold liquids. If you prefer a creamier blend, unsweetened nut milks work well.

Additionally, if you want to include some protein by far the best choices for liver (and gut) health is a non-denatured whey protein. This protein serves as a precursor for the liver-required antioxidant glutathione. Also assisting in gut health, glutathione is a key component to the health of these organs and systems. Whey is easily digestible and, while it is a byproduct of dairy, whey is the liquid component, contains very little lactose, and when separated into solids/liquids (as in making cheese) the allergen casein is the solid part and whey is the liquid. Whey is the first choice. Standard Process makes the cleanest products I’ve found. You can read more about their Whey Pro Complete here Vegan or vegetarian? Choose a high quality pea protein that does not have rice or oats, recommend Plant Fusion’s 100 Percent Pea Protein here. Note while I do source and carry the Standard Process line of products and can run specials periodically, I do not have an account with Plant Fusion; however, they offer free samples if you’ll cover shipping and handling ($4.99).

Optional but even more healthful: All of these drinks do well with an added 1-2 Tablespoons of chia or flax seeds blended in to help with bowel regularity, provide additional protein, omega-3 fats and

Blend (not juiced–leave the fibers in) and Sip

Drink #1

1 Cup spinach (or more): Spinach will decrease cravings, help balance blood sugar, help burn abdominal fat, and is a good source of lutein a type of carotenoid pigment structurally related to vitamin A. When both lutein and natural vitamin A are taken together they halt or even reverse macular degeneration of the eye. Note: spinach is among the is among the cruciferous vegetables that have a compound (Calcium D-Glucarate) to reduce total estrogen levels.

2-3 peeled kiwi depending on size: These give the beverage a lovely flavor. Kiwi has the most vitamin C of any fruit or vegetable

Drink #2

1 Cup chopped celery: Celery increases the production of bile to help the liver eliminate toxic waste, excess cholesterol and more. This can help both your liver and gall bladder flow easily—note: if your gall bladder stagnates, most people feel discomfort in their right shoulder and that side of their neck

1 Cup blueberries (frozen is fine, especially if you take advantage of our amazing August berry picking): Blueberries are a powerhouse with the antioxidants flavonoids, anthocyanins, and quercetin, which may anti-inflammatory properties; one cup of blueberries contains about 25% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, they may help with blood sugar control as they are low in natural fruit sugars, and their natural fibers can help restore gut balance and reduce permeability (“leaky gut”).

1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar (with the mother if possible): ACV also helps the liver make additional bile.

Drink #3

1 Cup of coconut water rather than regular water: In addition to being a great source of electrolytes, especially potassium) while relatively low in sugar. IMPORTANT: Different brands of coconut water have different levels if purity.

½ Cup chopped mint: Used in Chinese medicine for centuries, it also just taste really lovely. Mint has diverse health benefits, including neuroprotective, anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, gut health improvement, hypoglycemic, anti-aging, anti-bacterial, and a great source of antioxidants. Mint is also a great source of fibers, antioxidants, and other vitamins.

Juice from ½ lime: Another great source of potassium

Very refreshing and considered good for your skin and hair, this beverage is especially useful after or during any activity where you sweat or even in colder climates where you don’t realize just how much fluid and electrolytes you a losing.

Drink #4

1 Cup Kale (or spinach or…): One of the cruciferous vegetables, this family of plants that includes spinach, chard, bok choy… is a liver boosting detox specialist. Note: these are among the is among the cruciferous vegetables that have a compound (Calcium D-Glucarate) to reduce total estrogen levels. All in this family and many of the whole foods already listed have a positive impact on liver function resulting in low & balanced cholesterol, controlled hypertension, fewer to no headaches/migraines, allergies, resolved irritable bowel syndrome and far less arthritis. This family in particular is high in sulfur complexes which are needed for proper toxics removal.

1/2-1 Cup pomegranate seeds: This fruit is high in anti-inflammatory compounds and can prevent, even reverse, non-alcoholic fatty liver.

1 Cup chopped papaya: many different digestive enzymes to help with digestion.

Definitely add 1 Tablespoon flax or chia seeds to round out the fibers, improve regularity, and provide additional omega-3 fats and protein.

Pinch of Himalayan sea salt for clean electrolytes.

Drink #5

1 Cup spinach: Spinach will decrease cravings, help balance blood sugar, help burn abdominal fat, and is a good source of lutein a type of carotenoid pigment structurally related to vitamin A. When both lutein and natural vitamin A are taken together they halt or even reverse macular degeneration of the eye.

1 Grapefruit: increases insulin sensitivity (helps melt abdominal fat by improving blood sugar control), increases bile flow from the liver to improve elimination of toxic waste, helps break down and eliminate fats, good source of vitamin C. Note: grapefruit can alter how certain medications work in your body, either increasing or decreasing their activity. Definitely consult with your prescribing physician and I can also locate to what extent this is an issue.

Juice of ½ lemon or lime: Potassium, vitamin C

Drink #6

1 Cup avocado (2 small, 1 if very large): Improves cholesterol balance, repairs damage to the liver as long as you understand the cause of the damage, see above, and make any steps needed. Also a great source of proteins and health fats.

1 Cup strawberries: Another nutritional powerhouse high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and more… Shown to increase metabolism, remove fat from the liver, increase liver functions.

Drink #7

1 Cup coconut milk (full fat, it’s a healthy fat): Lauric acid in coconut milk is a powerful antiviral—especially helpful if you know you have any of the viral stressors listed above. Not sure? I can check generally. Lauric acid also generally improves immune system balance of which the liver plays a huge role. Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides (MCT) that is digested into ketones if you have a healthy gut microbiome. Ketones are a preferred food for the gut itself, easily digested by the liver and also improve brain and nervous system health.

1 Cup papaya chunks: Again, loaded with antioxidants to reduce inflammation and may also repair any scarring, also loaded with a variety of digestive enzymes especially if you are thinking that coconut fat is going to be difficult—although for some people it may not be enough.

Optional cinnamon to taste: has a natural sweetness to it and compounds that also balances blood sugar.

Drink #8—I love all these and this one is especially refreshing during the warmer days.

1 Cup chopped cucumber: very hydrating, great source of electrolytes, can help prevent or reverse non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and is among the cucurbitacease plants (these also include pumpkin and squashes) that have a compound (Calcium D-Glucarate) to reduce total estrogen levels.

1 Cup fresh lemon juice: more electrolytes, increases removal of toxic waste by improving liver and bile flow, and as a bonus: Lemon is natures natural diuretic and will pull fluid build-up from your legs and feet.

Add 4 slices of fresh ginger or some sprigs of mint for flavor and their benefits.

What is there to do?

Schedule your appointment with me. I have expanded my product line to include:

• Standard Process’ general 21-day cleanse program that is amazing
• Standard Process’ 10-day blood sugar support program or their 12 week glucose reset program
• Standard Process’ general 21-day 10-day healthy immune/inflammation response program
• Systemic Formulas’ hormone balancing program,
• Custom gut reset program based on your goals, current lifestyle, a Nutrition Response Testing exam and a functional medicine evaluation of basic labs if you have them within the last year.

Depending on your individual situation we can schedule a time to choose the right one for you. Call me.

You might just feel amazing!
Call me—907-222-1824

References:

Hou, M., John Martin, J. J., Song, Y., Wang, Q., Cao, H., Li, W., & Sun, C. (2024). Dynamics of flavonoid metabolites in coconut water based on metabolomics perspective. Frontiers in plant science, 15, 1468858.

Jiang, L., Zhang, Z., Qiu, C., & Wen, J. (2024). A Review of Whey Protein-Based Bioactive Delivery Systems: Design, Fabrication, and Application. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 13(15), 2453.:

Nakorn, S. N., Dokduang, H., Namwat, N., Klanrit, P., Wangwiwatsin, A., Promraksa, B., Sitthirak, S., Seaban, T., & Loilome, W. (2024). Antioxidant and longevity inducing properties of coconut water on human dermal fibroblasts. Heliyon, 10(24), e41010.

Roberto, M., Sarfati, E., Di Girolamo, M., Schipilliti, F. M., Crimini, E., Botticelli, A., … & Mazzuca, F. (2018). Clinical impact of whey protein and nutritional counseling in gastrointestinal cancer patients. Annals of Oncology, 29, viii619-viii620.

Sadler, I., Bauer, A., & Kassam, S. (2024). Dietary habits and self-reported health outcomes in a cross-sectional survey of health-conscious adults eating a plant-based diet. Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association, 37(4), 1061–1074.

Tang, H. P., Zhu, E. L., Bai, Q. X., Wang, S., Wang, Z. B., Wang, M., & Kuang, H. X. (2024). Mentha haplocalyx Briq. (Mint): a comprehensive review on the botany, traditional uses, nutritional value, phytochemistry, health benefits, and applications. Chinese medicine, 19(1), 168.

Zuraini, N. Z. A., Sekar, M., Wu, Y. S., Gan, S. H., Bonam, S. R., Mat Rani, N. N. I., Begum, M. Y., Lum, P. T., Subramaniyan, V., Fuloria, N. K., & Fuloria, S. (2021). Promising Nutritional Fruits Against Cardiovascular Diseases: An Overview of Experimental Evidence and Understanding Their Mechanisms of Action. Vascular health and risk management, 17, 739–769.