Foods and Supplements to Improve Liver Function

The liver is our detoxification manager for the entire body and is the largest internal organ. The liver is responsible for most chemical processes and metabolic functions. Every minute one and a half liters of blood passes from the intestine to the liver through the portal vein.

This blood contains: 

1. nutrient components from foods

2. toxins the food may contain or that were created during partial or delayed digestion

3. any medications taken

4. other substances capable of transferring from the intestines into the blood

All blood from the intestinal tract goes to the liver before it circulates throughout the body.

While the blood is in liver:

1. glucose is transformed into glycogen

2. amino acids are formed into sequences to provide necessary proteins for each organ and system

3. fatty acids are joined with glycerin to store the fat

4. toxins and foreign substances are neutralized

5. necessary bile is secreted for digestion which is stored in the gallbladder

While the liver is capable of neutralizing toxins, these cause difficulty for the liver and potential damage. Therefore, to maintain a healthy liver or repair a damaged liver, we would do well to avoid toxic substances, including sugars, as much as possible.

On the other hand, fruits and vegetables and other whole foods as they come from the Creator’s hand can enhance the liver’s detoxifying function and reduce the load on the liver.

Following are Foods and Supplements that can help aid liver health and repair damage.

Foods that Help the Liver:

Grapes – Help detoxify liver and blood. Increase bile production. Decongest the liver. Improves blood circulation and specifically for the liver improves the return blood flow from the digestive system to the liver, reducing the pressure in the portal system. Improves ascites by reducing water retention and inflammation.

Apples – Promotes the emptying of the bile and relieves liver congestion.

Prunes/Plums – Promotes elimination of wastes.

Cherries – Contains antioxidants and purifies blood promoting good liver and kidney function.

Onions – Detoxifies the liver (raw is best).

Sauerkraut – Facilitates liver metabolism.

Radishes – Stimulates liver function.

Artichokes – Increases liver function, detoxifies and facilitates elimination of waste material with bile. Decrease cholesterol.

Tapioca – Aids Liver function.

Honey – facilitates glycogen production in the liver cells.

Lecithin – contains choline – a vitamin factor essential to liver metabolism and keeps fat from depositing in the liver.

Nutritional Yeast – Rich in B vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for detoxifying the liver and eliminating toxins. Has antioxidant properties and effects.

Olives – promote liver health.

Whole Grains, Potatoes and other tubers (plant starches) – These are the most easily metabolized food for a diseased liver.

Bananas – high in B vitamins and potassium.

Strawberries – improve venous circulation with liver portal system. Reduces ascites fluid.

Kiwi – High in vitamin C and in a form that is well tolerated by a diseased liver. Anti-infectious, antioxidant.

Wheat Germ – Increases liver function and regenerates liver cells.

Sesame Seeds – Increases liver function and regenerates liver cells.

Legumes – contains folate which is necessary for regeneration of damaged liver cells.

Brazil Nuts – (1-2 a day). Contains selenium and antioxidants necessary to compensate for excess free radical and inflammation.

Supplements that Can Help the Liver:

Milk Thistle – Stimulates regeneration of damaged liver cells.

Dandelion – Increases bile production and promotes its emptying.

Wormwood – Relieves liver congestion. Stimulates liver function.

Chicory – Promotes bile secretion. Relieves liver congestion.

Calendula – Increases bile production.

Seaweed – supplies micronutrients.

Turmeric – increases liver bile production.

Boldo Tea – increases liver bile production. Take 3-4 times a day before meals and before bed.

If you would like help reversing liver disease, you can schedule a free interview or private

consultation here.

Wishing you Abundant Health Now and Always.

Blue Skies,

Dana

Dana West, RDN, LD, ACLMDIP thrives on helping her amazing clients get a new lease on life by embracing health and conquering disease, living with renewed energy and enthusiasm, through learning to cooperate with God, Our Chief Physician. You can get a new lease on life too, in her upcoming Cancer-Free and Care-Free Health Retreat: A Journey to Beating Cancer Naturally.

Wanna Come? Details here

References:

Compiled from: Encyclopedia of Foods and Their Healing Power, Vol. 2 on pages 168-172.