Liver-Cleansing Diet Plan

Detoxify the liver. There are many nutrients your liver needs to assist in detoxification. These include antioxidants vitamin E, vitamin C, milk thistle, beta carotene, selenium and others. These antioxidants support the liver and reduce the likelihood of additional damage. Vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin and vitamin B also support the process. Drinking vegetable juices made from brussels sprouts, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables assists liver detoxification as well.

Buy organic foods. Organic foods are more nutritious and healthier than conventional foods. There are fewer toxins that will be introduced to the body with organic foods, which is important for a liver cleanse diet.

Eat foods the way they appear in nature. This includes raw vegetables rather than cooked vegetables, whole fruits rather than juices or sauces, and other foods in their natural state. Foods that have been processed are more likely to have toxins or introduce something to the body that will put stress on the liver. For example, eat an apple rather than drinking apple juice. Choose raw carrots over cooked carrots, and eat as many foods that are naturally crunchy as possible. This ensures they are more likely in their natural state because they have not been cooked or processed.

Eat as much fiber as possible. A healthy liver is functioning at peak performance, which means it is able to send toxins over to the digestive tract where they are eliminated through the body. When there is sufficient fiber in the digestive tract, the toxins are absorbed and removed with a bowel movement. If there is not enough fiber, then the toxins may be reabsorbed into the bloodstream and the liver will have to deal with the same toxins again. Foods with high fiber content include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Fiber supplements are also an option.

Eat good fats. The body needs fat to survive, but not all fats are good. Eat fats that are healthy like fish, which has Omega-3 fatty acids, and soy foods with Omega-3 oils. Foods high in Omega-3 include flaxseeds, walnuts, salmon, shrimp, tofu, scallops and winter squash. Avoid bad fats that include hydrogenated oils, which are found in most processed foods. Eat prepackaged foods that do not have trans fats.

Avoid refined carbohydrates. These carbohydrates slow the liver down. Foods in this category include crackers, cakes, pasta, white flour, cookies and other candies and prepackaged foods. These foods cause blood-sugar levels to spike, and your liver functions best when blood sugar is steady.

Avoid foods that do not support a healthy colon. These include shellfish and large sea fish due to high levels of mercury, which is a toxin. Also avoid soft drinks because they have high-fructose corn syrup and cause blood-sugar spikes. Avoid processed meats with nitrites like hot dogs, bacon and lunch meats. There are natural/organic versions of these foods that are OK on a liver cleanse diet, however.

Quit bad habits that clog up the liver. Smoking, over-the-counter drugs and other supplements that add toxins to the body should be avoided. Caffeine is OK if it is not combined with sugar, dairy and coffee, which would actually slow the liver down. Enjoy black coffee or green tea on a liver cleanse diet. Alcohol should be limited if consumed at all.