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Signs Your Liver Detox Is Working
What is a liver detox? Plus, discover signs your liver detox is working, and how to do a liver detox safely.
The liver has several important functions. It breaks down the foods we eat, removes harmful toxins from the body, and more. To help this organ work as effectively as it can, some people do a liver detox. Before we get into the signs of a liver detox working, let’s talk about what a detox is and how to know when you may benefit from this process.
What Is a Liver Detox?
Detoxification is defined as “the process of removing harmful chemicals from something.” (1) So, a liver detox involves the removal of harmful chemicals from this important organ.
Liver detoxification can be supported by: (2)
- Drinking lots of water
- Getting regular exercise
- Keeping a healthy sleep schedule
- Consuming anti-inflammatory and fermented foods
- Avoiding foods that are processed or high in sugar
- Not smoking and limiting alcohol consumption
Certain natural ingredients have also been found to help detoxify the liver. For example, a 2020 animal study suggests that curcumin is one, largely due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiglycation (stopping sugars from binding to proteins) properties. (3)
Milk thistle is another natural ingredient connected with liver detoxification. (4)
How to Know If Your Liver May Benefit from Detoxing
Generally speaking, the liver is efficient at removing the toxins and other harmful chemicals it is exposed to. That said, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may benefit from a liver detox: (2)
- Abdominal bloating or weight gain in the belly area
- Digestive issues (constipation, diarrhea, heartburn)
- Excessive sweating and an increase in body odor
- Dry, itchy, or discolored skin
- Feelings of fatigue, even after you just woke up
- Mood swings and trouble concentrating
- Hypersensitivity to perfumes and fragrances
Signs a Liver Detox Is Working
One amazing feat that sets the liver apart from other organs is its ability to heal itself after being damaged. (5) Not all liver damage is reversible, but it is possible in some cases. Signs of a healing liver include: (6)
- The ability to think, focus, and remember more easily
- Feeling more energetic and less sluggish or tired
- Reduced pain (due to reduced liver inflammation)
- It feels easier to stay at a healthier weight, despite having more of an appetite
- Better coloring of the skin and eyes (less yellow)
- Improved lab results (i.e., showing lower toxin levels and better liver function)
How to Do a Liver Detox Safely
The best way to help the liver detoxify safely is by living a healthy lifestyle. Eat nutritious food, get physically active, and avoid smoking or a high alcohol intake. Based on studies like those mentioned above, adding certain ingredients to your diet may also help detox the liver.
Natural Wellness offers Clinical LiverSupport, a dietary supplement that contains curcumin, milk thistle, and other natural ingredients to support liver health.
Taking a product such as this safely requires using it as directed. It’s also always advised to consult with your healthcare provider first to make sure it’s okay to take the product based on your health status and conditions.
And remember that a liver detox can’t always undo damage to this organ, but it may help. If it doesn’t or you have recurring or progressing symptoms, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the extent of your liver damage (if any), and prescribe a treatment plan.
(1) Cambridge University Press & Assessment. (n.d.). Detoxification. Retrieved September 17, 2024, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/detoxification#google_vignette
(2) MedicineNet. (n.d.). How Do You Know if Your Liver Is Detoxing? Retrieved September 17, 2024, from https://www.medicinenet.com/how_do_you_know_if_your_liver_is_detoxing/article.htm
(3) Costa, M.C., et al. (2020, February). Trigonelline and Curcumin Alone, But Not in Combination, Counteract Oxidative Stress and Inflammation and Increase Glycation Product Detoxification in the Liver and Kidney of Mice with High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. doi:10.1016/j.nutbio.2019.108303
(4) Amir Emadi, S., et al. (2022, October). A Review of Therapeutic Potentials of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum L.) and Its Main Constituent, Silymarin, on Cancer, and Their Related Patents. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2022.63200.13961
(5) National Institutes of Health. (2021, March 09). Cells That Maintain and Repair the Liver Identified. Retrieved September 17, 2024, from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/cells-maintain-repair-liver-identified
(6) Srakocic, S. (2023, March 10). 7 Signs Your Liver Is Healing. Retrieved September 17, 2024, from https://www.healthline.com/health/signs-your-liver-is-healing
About the Author
Christina M. DeBusk, BS is an accomplished health writer and editor with a passion for natural wellness, disease prevention, and holistic treatment options. With certifications as a Nutrition Specialist, Personal Trainer, and Transformation Specialist, Christina brings a wealth of expertise to her writing. Her articles have been featured in numerous health-related publications both online and in print including Woman’s Day, Massage Magazine, Country Living, Chiropractic Economics, and Very Well Mind, empowering readers to lead healthier lives through informed choices and natural solutions.
