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Liver Cleanse
Welcome to the Optimal Body family! We are so excited that you’ve taken the first step on your weight loss journey. Read below for some important information on liver cleansing and its role in the weight loss process. A liver cleanse can be done anywhere from 7 days to 30 days1,2,3.
Will a liver cleanse make someone lose weight?
Cleansing your liver is not designed to make you lose weight directly.
So why does Optimal Body recommend starting with a liver cleanse?
Simple, because the liver is a primary organ responsible for breakdown of fats during digestion, and healthy weight loss can only occur when our digestive system is functioning properly. Because the liver is also responsible for filtering toxins from the blood, if the liver is swollen or inflamed, it’s ability to filter toxins is reduced, which can lead to an increase in inflammation in the body. Inflammation does damage to tissue, can cause swelling, reduce blood flow and increase fat storage!
All things that can slow someone’s progress while trying to lose weight. So while cleansing the liver doesn’t cause weight loss directly, we consider it a critical part of the “prep phase” in starting a weight loss journey with Optimal Body. We ultimately want each client to see the best results possible and cleansing the liver is an easy thing you can do on your own, starting right away, to prepare your body for your weight loss program! See below for foods to eat and foods to avoid to boost the liver cleansing process.
10 best foods for liver cleansing2,3
1. Coffee
A study published in the “Journal of Hepatology” called coffee the “magical bean for liver disease”. This is due to certain chemicals in coffee and caffein that can help to fight off liver disease. Too much coffee can affect the body’s pH balance, making it too acidic, so 1 cup per day is generally advised.
2. Tea
Most studies around liver health and tea focus on green tea. One study found that 12 weeks of green tea consumption lead to improved liver enzyme levels and reduced oxidative stress.
3. Grapefruit
Grapefruit contains the antioxidants naringenin and naringin which have been shown to help prevent liver injury.
4. Blueberry/Cranberry
Both berries are high in antioxidants which are protective of the liver.
5. Grapes
Red and purple grapes are high in resveratrol which lowers inflammation, prevents damage and increases antioxidant levels.
6. Beetroot Juice
The juice from beetroots reduces oxidative stress and lowers inflammation. It can also help aid healthy digestion.
7. Cruciferous Vegetables
Some examples are broccoli, brussels sprouts and mustard greens. May help protect liver from damage and improve liver enzyme levels.
8. Nuts
Nut intake has been associated with improved liver enzyme levels.
9. Fatty Fish
The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish can reduce inflammation, help prevent fat buildup, keep enzyme levels normalize, improve insulin resistance and lower risk of heart disease.
10. Olive Oil
Studies have shown that olive oil consumption can lead to less fat accumulation in the liver, improved liver enzymes and improved blood flow to the liver.
6 foods to AVOID for liver health2,3
1. Alcohol
Alcohol can cause a buildup of toxins in the system and is a major cause of fatty liver and other liver diseases.
2. Added Sugar
Increases in blood sugar cause inflammation and can damage the liver. Read your food labels to avoid foods where sugar is added (you’ll be surprised that it is added to many foods that you wouldn’t consider sweet) and avoid foods that are naturally high in sugar like sweets, soda and fruit juice.
3. Fried Foods
Fried foods tend to be higher in fats which can cause buildup of fat in the liver.
4. Salt
Eating too much salt can cause swelling in the liver, reducing liver function.
5. Processed Carbohydrates
White flour in bread, rice and pasta can increases blood sugar levels causing liver damage.
6. Red Meat
While red meat can be an excellent source of protein, they are high in saturated fats which can negatively impact liver health. It is generally recommended not to have more than 3 servings of red meat per week.
If you have any questions feel free to reach out directly to support@myoptimalbody.com or call 301-347-6413.
- It is always advised to consult your physician before starting or stopping using any vitamin supplementation. If you experience any side effects, discontinue use immediately.
- The statements on this page have not been evaluated for the Food and Drug administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
- The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and does not establish a doctor patient relationship.
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Optimal Body
2227 Bel Pre Road #482
Silver Spring, MD 20906
(301) 347-6413