The liver is in charge of a variety of vital functions including purging toxins from the blood, metabolizing cholesterol and fat, and balancing hormone levels in the body. If your liver health is compromised, you become at greater risk of developing serious health conditions such as high cholesterol, obesity and thyroid disorders. The good news is liver disease can be turned around. The key to speeding up metabolism of a damaged liver is to take immediate steps to restore liver function by making the appropriate lifestyle changes.
Instructions
1. Add liver health promoting foods to your daily diet. Foods high in sulfur compounds are highly recommended because sulfur is one of the molecules the liver uses to detoxify the body. Onions, garlic, and egg yolks are high in sulfur, as are cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts. Other liver-nourishing foods to eat frequently are apples, artichokes, rhubarb and sprouts.
2. Use liver nourishing spices in your daily diet. Certain spices such as cinnamon and licorice have been shown to improve liver metabolism. Turmeric, one of the main ingredients in curry, is an excellent liver tonic as well. Lemon is another potent liver tonic. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into lukewarm water and drink first thing in the morning to promote liver metabolism. If you don't have lemons available, use one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar instead.
3. Take a liver-nourishing herbal supplement such as milk thistle. Milk thistle's supportive effects on the liver have been studied extensively. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the daily recommended dose for adults is 200 to 400 mg, one to three times a day for standardized milk thistle extracts. For Silymarin phosphatidylcholine, dosage recommendation is 100 to 200 mg twice a day. Consult your doctor before starting any herbal supplement treatment. Also, please note that milk thistle is not recommended for children or for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
4. Remove toxins from your environment. A good way to start is by replacing conventional cleaning products for chemical-free products that use natural ingredients. Opt for products scented with natural essential oils instead. To improve the quality of the air you breath, open windows for at least twenty minutes (weather permitting), and add a few plants indoors.
5. Avoid processed foods. Look at the ingredient labels on your food. Additives and preservatives take away from the food's nutritional value and tax your liver in the process. Instead, make your meals from scratch using whole foods. Also, avoid alcohol, caffeine, fried foods and any unnecessary medications that have a detrimental effect on liver metabolism and health.
Tags: liver metabolism, daily diet, have been, herbal supplement, high sulfur