Again, glutathione is our bodies own master antioxidant, being the free radical scavenger tat mops up reactive oxidative species that are produced as a by-product of normal cell functioning. Think of Glutathione as the rubbish man, coming along and cleaning up all the rubbish, keeping the street and household clean and functional.

A mixture of Reishi Mushroom, Astragalus and Black Soybean showed to lower lipid peroxidation and increase glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase — two enzymes that recycle glutathione so it can continue to scavenge free radicals, and the study showed a decrease in hepatocyte damage.

An additional study demonstrated the preventative effect of Reishi Mushroom on Paracetamol-includes acute hepatotoxicity in mouse studies, conveying its ability to protect the liver from exogenous and pharmaceutical damage, as the liver metabolises all pharmaceutical drugs.

Naturally, human studies are difficult to come by. Elevated liver enzymes mean our liver is struggling, its pumping out more and more, and so we can translate the research on rats and liver damage to help support liver detoxification and support the function of these liver enzymes, lowering our exposure to toxins and enabling normal liver enzyme levels.

Try this Reishi mushroom liver detox product. Like Reishi mushroom, Astragalus root Astragalus membranaceus another highly revered Chinese tonic herb that has been used for millennia to support and stimulate healthy liver and immune function. Being a supreme adaptogen, Astragalus roots builds resilience to toxin exposure decreasing the inflammatory effects and cascade of a mounted response.

Astragalus root boosts antioxidants and protects against oxidative stress. Astragalus root is also hepatoprotective, a class of herbs that protect hepatocytes liver cells from free radical damage.

It is protective against the exposure of environmental toxins, particularly carcinogenic agents such as carbon tetrachloride. A study showed that a mixture of Myristica fragrans, Astragalus membranaceus and Poria cocos was effective in reducing alcohol-induced acute liver toxicity.

The study showed a decrease in liver enzymes and an increase in SOD which demonstrates the effectiveness of Astragalus root in supporting liver detoxification and decreasing damage. A study showed the synergistic hepatoprotective effects of Schisandra berry and Astragalus root on chronic liver injury in rats.

Again, this combination of herbs for liver health decreased elevated liver enzymes and increased glutathione and SOD.

This shows the potential short-term and long-term benefits of Astragalus root in supporting liver detoxification. Try Astragalus root for healthy liver. Dandelion root Taraxacum officinalis is a foundational herb in Western herbalism for healthy liver function and detoxification.

It's one of the best herbs for liver repair. Dandelion root is a bitter herb and cholagogue, hepatoprotective tonic and gentle phase 1 liver detoxifier. It also stimulates bile release and gall bladder contraction as well as a gentle diuretic.

Globe Artichoke, but in a nutshell, bile also mops up toxins and excretes them through the large intestine. The liver synthesises bile and the gall bladder stores it.

Hepatics are a classification of herbs that tonify and support the function of liver health. Phase 1 detoxification is all about transforming fat soluble compounds to water-soluble, specifically caffeine, OTC drugs, ibuprofen, histamines, hormones, tobacco and insecticides — all of which Dandelion supports liver detoxification.

Dandelion Root also functions as a gentle diuretic — with oedema and fluid retention being a key symptom of a sluggish liver, kidney and lymphatic system. Dandelion root helps to gently cleanse and gets things moving, prevents congestion and waste build up, which further, burdens liver health.

Traditionally used as a morning beverage as a caffeine replacement, Dandelion Root has that bitter component that can be used like a coffee alternative which also requires metabolism from the liver for those with a sluggish liver.

Similar to Dandelion root, Cordyceps mushroom Cordyceps sinensis is an effective liver-loving alternative to coffee that binds to the same receptors but without the adrenal and nervous-system stimulating effect that caffeine elicits.

Cordyceps mushroom has been shown in numerous studies to increase glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase while decreasing lipid peroxidation and pro-inflammatory compounds that drive cellular ageing. Cordyceps has also been shown to decrease elevated liver enzymes and functions as an antioxidant scavenging free radicals.

Like Reishi and Astragalus, Cordyceps is as an adaptogen that modulates the stress response and lowers oxidative stress. Cordyceps has also shown to be protective against hepatotoxicity via activating NrF2 pathways — a key anti-inflammatory pathway — thanks to its unique polysaccharide compounds.

Cordyceps also balances sex hormone levels adding a preventative dimension to liver detoxification. Powell, Martin. Medicinal Mushrooms - A Clinical Guide.

Mycology Press. Kindle Edition. Additionally, with its adaptogenic properties comes the anti-viral and immunomodulating component as viruses and bacteria release endotoxins which contribute to the burdening of the liver and oxidative stress within the body.

Overall, Cordyceps mushroom works to decrease overall exposure to toxins as well as supporting endogenous antioxidant synthesis and decreases pro-inflammatory markers. Try Cordyceps mushroom for liver health. Turmeric root Curcuma longa has been used in India for centuries as one of the most potent Ayurvedic herbs.

Turmeric is known as a powerful anti-inflammatory and is revered for its ability to treat and prevent numerous inflammation-based diseases. In regards to liver detoxification, Turmeric is another herb that supports phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification pathways.

Additionally, Turmeric is hepatoprotective and helps protect and detoxify liver cells hepatocytes from damage when exposed to these reactive species as they transform from lipid soluble to water soluble. This plays into the potent antioxidant effects of Turmeric root by donating itself to cancel out the free radical species that drive cellular damage and accelerate disease and ageing of the liver.

A study on mice demonstrated the effectiveness of Turmeric root in protecting and improving liver detoxification by lowering inflammatory markers and mediators, reducing oxidative stress and increasing endogenous glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase SOD in the blood.

Being a phase 1 and phase 2 inducer, Turmeric helps balance the see-saw effect that is phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification. As mentioned in the beginning of the article, phase 1 is all about the biotransformation of lipid soluble fat loving molecules into water loving molecules, able to then be transformed in phase 2 to be excreted.

Turmeric being both a phase 1 and phase 2 liver health herb balances the detoxification processes and further protects the liver cells. Turmeric is well known for shielding the liver from oxidative stress, suppresses proinflammatory cytokines, increases and induces the Nrf2 pathway, increases SOD and GSH and GPx glutathione peroxidase, the enzyme that recycles glutathione so we can keep using it.

Schisandra berry Schisandra chinensis is another highly revered tonic herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM that has a unique ability to support the regeneration of healthy liver cells — categorised as a hepatic trophorestorative.

This unique trait makes Schisandra berry a profound and superior adaptogen and liver supportive herb. Lignans are the key bioactive compounds in Schisandra berry that protect liver cells from dying and increase membrane stability.

In specific rat studies, Schisandra was shown to induce the regeneration of liver tissue after part of the liver was surgically removed, indicating how powerful this herb is in literally regrowing and supporting the regeneration of liver health.

Being an adaptogen, Schisandra increases our resilience to a vast array of physical, chemical and emotional stressors. In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, Schisandra contains all five flavours, enters all 12 meridians and nourishes the detoxification organs; kidneys lung and spleen.

Try Schizandra for liver support. When I consider Ginger and its role in liver detoxification, I think about its ability to enhance digestion, boost immunity, increase circulation, supporting our emunctories, help eliminate toxins and prevent viral toxic by-products from contaminating our systems.

Specifically, Ginger has been shown to protect the liver and support it in eliminating xenobiotic agents like alcohol, heavy metals, parabens and other endocrine disrupting compounds we tend to be exposed to through personal products—skin care, soaps, detergents, deodorants etc.

Linking back to its function as an immune and circulatory herb, Ginger helps prevents additional toxic exposure and build up from viral and bacterial assaults decreasing the burden on the liver.

In respect to circulation, the more we move the body, the more we stimulate the lymph which is a key system that intertwines with the immune system and delivers nutrients to our cells and removes waste to be excreted.

Ginger is classified as warming which helps improve the delivery of nutrients to liver cells and enhances their ability to perform their many functions optimally. Additionally, Ginger is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger, enhancing SOD and GPx, and supports both phases of liver detoxification.

In mice studies, Ginger was shown to induce GST and Nrf2 transcription factors and neutralises lipid peroxidation in hepatocytes. Moving away from the herbs and into nutrients for a moment, Selenium is a key trace mineral required for detoxing the liver. A healthy liver makes glutathione and we need selenium to make GPx — glutathione peroxidase, the enzyme that recycles and renews glutathione.

Selenium is also a potent antioxidant mineral. Selenium protects the liver and prevents oxidative liver damage. This also speaks to why buying local and organic and biodynamic foods wherever possible.

Milk Thistle Silybum marianum is one of the most well-known herbs for detoxification of liver. Milk Thistle works on phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification pathways Hechtman.

Milk Thistle is hepatoprotective, a cholagogue, hepatic, anti-inflammatory and superb cholesterol lowering herb.

Milk Thistle enhances liver function and inhibits free radical damage by acting as an antioxidant. Milk Thistle works beautifully alongside Schisandra berry to really support healthy liver regeneration. Milk Thistle prevents toxins binding to cell membrane receptors and damaging cell function and organelles, thereby, decreasing unnecessary cell death which is a really unique ability of this healthy liver herb.

Milk Thistle also inhibits leukotriene enzymes and prostaglandin. It reduces inflammation, and enhances phase 2 liver enzymes, specifically Glutathionation pathways, which are responsible for detoxifying pesticides, paracetamol, toxic heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead, penicillin, alcohol, petroleum distillates and tetracycline.

Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum is a well-known spice used throughout Asia and India that acts as a potent antioxidant with a high ORAC Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity value.

Cardamom reduces liver damage from oxidative stress, decreases the creation of cytokines, TNFa and IL6 — 3x potent pro-inflammatory cytokines that signal degradation within the body.

Cardamom also increases glutathione levels and is a COX2 inhibitor. The COX2 pathway is a pro-inflammatory pathway which as we know, inflammation is at the root of all chronic symptoms and disease states. Artichoke Cynara cardunculus, variety scolymus , also known as globe artichoke, improves bile concentration and works harmoniously on both the liver and gallbladder by supporting the entire hepatobiliary system.

Bile enables the emulsification and absorption of dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins; Vitamin A, D, E and K. The gallbladder plays a key role in waste removal and when not functioning optimally, there is a decrease in the ability to excrete toxins that the liver has transformed and metabolised.

Bile is the major elimination vehicle for cholesterol and other lipid soluble compounds, including hormones and pheromones. Research has shown that the same transporters that carry bile acids in and out of the intestines, also carry heavy metals, mycotoxins and bacterial toxins.

This indicates that the presence and movement of bile assists the elimination of such toxins. Bile is also made up of cholesterol, which when in excess, is known to add burden to the liver and drive an array of metabolic diseases.

If you have been tempted to take potassium supplements, instead add these healthful foods to your diet:. Surprisingly, it is not the banana that is the richest in potassium. It is the sweet potato. A single medium sweet potato contains more than milligrams of potassium, not to mention the high fiber and beta-carotene content.

A sweet potato is rich with vitamins B6, C and D, along with magnesium and iron. While naturally sweet, the sugars actually are slowly released into the bloodstream through the liver, without causing a spike in blood sugar.

Potassium — and the other beneficial nutrients in tomatoes — is significantly concentrated as a sauce, puree or as a paste. When selecting tomato sauce, paste or puree, be sure to choose those made only from organic tomatoes.

To make your own concentrated tomato sauce, slice organic tomatoes in half, and roast face down in the oven for 30 minutes at degrees F, until the skin has shriveled. Remove from the oven, and let cool. Slide the skins off, and gently crush in your food processor or blender.

Strain to remove seeds, if you desire. Pour into a Dutch oven, and let simmer until thick, one to two hours. Rich in antioxidants, beet greens are loaded with potassium. Add beets and beet greens to your fresh vegetable juice recipe; finely chop and add raw to salads; or sauté lightly, like other greens.

Beets also naturally cleanse the gallbladder and improve bile flow. White beans, kidney beans and lima beans are all rich in potassium, protein and fiber. Swap out garbanzo beans for one of these potassium-rich beans in your favorite hummus recipe. Enjoy it with carrot sticks and celery sticks.

In addition to potassium, blackstrap molasses is rich with iron, calcium, manganese and copper. Incorporate blackstrap molasses into your diet by replacing other natural sweeteners with it. You can use it to create barbecue sauces and to top oatmeal or quinoa porridge in the mornings.

Two teaspoons added to coffee intensifies the richness of the coffee, while lowering the acidic taste. And finally, add a banana to your favorite smoothie. Bananas assist in digestion and help release toxins and heavy metals from the body — all of which are essential during a liver cleanse.

Please note: If you have high levels of potassium in your kidneys, foods rich in potassium should be consumed moderately. Coffee enemas help with constipation , reduce fatigue and aid in liver detoxification.

An enema targets the lower portion of your large intestine and can be done at home, unlike colonics, which include the entire bowel and are performed outside the home by a professional.

During the enema, organic coffee is retained in your bowel, allowing the fluid to enter the liver through the intestinal wall. This has a stimulating effect that increases bile flow, helping jump-start both your gallbladder and your liver.

This sparks the production of the chemical glutathione, a strong cleansing compound that helps release the buildup of toxins in your system. Combine two tablespoons of organic ground coffee with three cups of filtered or distilled water in a pot, and bring to a boil. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, and allow to cool.

Strain the mixture through cheesecloth, and use in your enema kit. Milk thistle helps eliminate the buildup of heavy metals , prescription medications, environmental pollutants and alcohol in the liver. In addition, it helps reduce the negative effects on the liver after chemotherapy and radiation.

Research indicates that the active ingredient silymarin helps strengthen the cell walls in the liver, while supporting healthy regeneration. Most homeowners hate the dandelion, as it populates yards every spring, but, this flower and its roots are actually packed with vitamins and minerals.

Dandelion root has a natural diuretic effect, allowing your liver to more quickly eliminate toxins. It also helps strengthen the immune system , balance blood sugar levels , relieve heartburn and soothe digestive upset.

Burdock root is another option in the same plant family as dandelions that can help detox your system by cleansing the blood, therefore helping support liver function. Like milk thistle, both dandelion root and burdock root can be taken in both supplement form or as a detox tea.

Turmeric supports healthy liver tissue and liver metabolism. You can also purchase a liver support supplement that combines many of these key botanicals, such as milk thistle seed, dandelion root, beet root and bupleurum root to help detoxify the liver, assist in healthy liver function and also work as an anti-inflammatory.

Liver from young, healthy, grass-fed cattle or chicken liver is rich with vitamins A and B, folic acid, choline, iron, copper, zinc, chromium, and CoQ Liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods we can eat and unsurprisingly an organ-nourishing food.

Seek a supplement that guarantees no hormones, pesticides or antibiotics are used in the feeding and care of the cattle. In addition to the healthy foods and supplements mentioned above, you can give your liver a boost by starting with a quick, hour liver cleanse.

In the seven days prior to this short cleanse, eat the following liver detox foods:. Avoid any processed foods, and eat free-range organic meats, refined carbohydrates and gluten sparingly.

This preparation will help facilitate the cleanse. During the week you are preparing your body, also try this Secret Detox Drink. It boosts your energy and helps you detox and cleanse the liver. This recipe calls for apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and water.

Then, during the week of your cleanse try this liver detox drink. This recipe will help support your body while cleansing.

You should consume a minimum of 72 ounces of this mixture and 72 ounces of water. After one day of the cranberry juice blend, reintroduce the foods you ate in preparation for the liver cleanse. You can also try other detox drinks support a liver detox.

Popular Nutrition Posts All Time This Week {position} Detox Your Liver: A 6-Step Liver Cleanse. More Nutrition Dr. Axe on Facebook 82 Dr. Axe on Twitter 4 Dr.

It contains silymarin, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that is often used to treat liver disease. Milk thistle helps to protect our livers against damage and improves liver function.

Many people use milk thistle as a natural hangover cure because of this protective effect. Milk thistle is a vital ingredient in our NutraLiver and NutraCleanse teas. We chose it because it is a natural way to support our livers as they work to detoxify our bodies and keep us healthy.

Turmeric gets plenty of attention as an ally against inflammation and an effective antioxidant. It can even protect against liver disease. This is mainly down to curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, which reduces oxidative stress and prevents our livers from damage.

We use turmeric in our NutraLiver tea to support the healthy function of your liver. Artichoke is one of the main ingredients in our NutraCleanse tea because it helps to support the liver and digestive system. Like milk thistle, it contains silymarin, which protects against liver damage.

Artichoke extract increases bile production — bile is a liquid produced by the liver that helps with detoxifying our bodies. Artichoke, therefore, also improves our liver function, cleansing our bodies of harmful toxins after a month of indulgence.

Like artichoke, dandelion root is great for increasing bile production, keeping our livers working effectively. Dandelion extract can also protect against liver diseases, possibly even including cancer.

Dandelion root contains certain polysaccharides that seem to prevent liver damage. These polysaccharides protect against oxidative stress and keep the liver healthy.

We use dandelion root in our NutraCleanse tea to support the liver, kidneys, and digestive system. For those struggling with bloating and water retention after the festive period, dandelion root is also an essential ingredient in our NutraRelease tea , which helps to restore the balance of fluids in your system.

We love liquorice for the hint of natural sweetness it gives our teas, but did you know that it is also great for your health? Am J Chin Med. By Cathy Wong Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert.

Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising.

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Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. Liver Health. By Cathy Wong. Medically reviewed by Melissa Nieves, LND.

What Are The Benefits of Milk Thistle? Turmeric May Be a Solution For Osteoarthritis Knee Pain, Study Finds. Burdock: Everything You Need to Know. Frequently Asked Questions What are signs of liver damage? What herbs can help improve liver health?

What foods are good for liver repair? Learn More: How to Choose Good Foods for Your Liver. What foods and drinks can harm the liver? While that combination may not sound very enjoyable, you can add other vegetables that you enjoy to the mix, including carrots, cucumber, beets and greens.

All of these vegetables help reduce acid levels in the body, helping create a more friendly pH balance. Experiment with your favorite flavor combinations. You can add fresh herbs, including parsley, mint and others, to make the juices more enjoyable.

To improve liver health, try this Orange Carrot Ginger Juice. Research suggests that fresh, organic carrots are essential to any liver cleanse. In the liver, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A to help flush out the toxins in the body while reducing fat in the liver.

The high fiber content helps support a healthy digestive tract, hastening the elimination of toxins in your body. The ginger root helps soothe the digestive tract, reduce intestinal gas and has strong anti-inflammatory compounds.

The fresh oranges in this recipe not only add tangy sweetness, but also add significant vitamin C, additional vitamin A and vitamin B6. Potassium-rich foods help lower systolic blood pressure , reduce cholesterol and support a healthy cardiovascular system , in addition to helping cleanse your liver.

If you have been tempted to take potassium supplements, instead add these healthful foods to your diet:. Surprisingly, it is not the banana that is the richest in potassium. It is the sweet potato.

A single medium sweet potato contains more than milligrams of potassium, not to mention the high fiber and beta-carotene content. A sweet potato is rich with vitamins B6, C and D, along with magnesium and iron.

While naturally sweet, the sugars actually are slowly released into the bloodstream through the liver, without causing a spike in blood sugar. Potassium — and the other beneficial nutrients in tomatoes — is significantly concentrated as a sauce, puree or as a paste. When selecting tomato sauce, paste or puree, be sure to choose those made only from organic tomatoes.

To make your own concentrated tomato sauce, slice organic tomatoes in half, and roast face down in the oven for 30 minutes at degrees F, until the skin has shriveled.

Remove from the oven, and let cool. Slide the skins off, and gently crush in your food processor or blender. Strain to remove seeds, if you desire.

Pour into a Dutch oven, and let simmer until thick, one to two hours. Rich in antioxidants, beet greens are loaded with potassium. Add beets and beet greens to your fresh vegetable juice recipe; finely chop and add raw to salads; or sauté lightly, like other greens. Beets also naturally cleanse the gallbladder and improve bile flow.

White beans, kidney beans and lima beans are all rich in potassium, protein and fiber. Swap out garbanzo beans for one of these potassium-rich beans in your favorite hummus recipe. Enjoy it with carrot sticks and celery sticks.

In addition to potassium, blackstrap molasses is rich with iron, calcium, manganese and copper. Incorporate blackstrap molasses into your diet by replacing other natural sweeteners with it. You can use it to create barbecue sauces and to top oatmeal or quinoa porridge in the mornings.

Two teaspoons added to coffee intensifies the richness of the coffee, while lowering the acidic taste. And finally, add a banana to your favorite smoothie. Bananas assist in digestion and help release toxins and heavy metals from the body — all of which are essential during a liver cleanse.

Please note: If you have high levels of potassium in your kidneys, foods rich in potassium should be consumed moderately. Coffee enemas help with constipation , reduce fatigue and aid in liver detoxification.

An enema targets the lower portion of your large intestine and can be done at home, unlike colonics, which include the entire bowel and are performed outside the home by a professional.

During the enema, organic coffee is retained in your bowel, allowing the fluid to enter the liver through the intestinal wall. This has a stimulating effect that increases bile flow, helping jump-start both your gallbladder and your liver.

This sparks the production of the chemical glutathione, a strong cleansing compound that helps release the buildup of toxins in your system.