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Clinically Proven Liver Detox

If you have ever researched holistic and preventive medicine you have probably read that you should periodically detoxify your liver. Since the liver performs so many important functions to keep you healthy, it's a good idea to invest the time and effort for liver support. A number of products out there claim to be safe and effective. Which ones really are?

  1. Milk Thistle

    • Milk thistle (scientific name silymarin) has been studied and proven to support liver function. According to a study done for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, silymarin is therapeutic. It is often prescribed for patients who are taking medications that may harm the liver, to minimize the possibility of damage. Studies were also done that show milk thistle can detoxify the effects of alcohol on the liver, according to C. Leiber in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology.

    Chicory

    • Chicory is an herb that is often used in place of tea and coffee for people who want to avoid caffeine. It also has health benefits that include liver support. Chicory has a diuretic and laxative effect which can relieve some of the burden on your liver. Studies also show that chicory helps to lower cholesterol. It is a good source of the antioxidant inulin, which helps decrease appetite and balance blood sugar (http://www.raysahelian.com/inulin.html).

    Coffee Enema

    • A little known but effective liver detoxification method is the coffee enema. This is not a high enema, but should only be taken in the lower colon. When waste has reached this part of the bowel, the sigmoid colon, all nutrients have been removed and it is ready to be eliminated. If it sits there, the toxins could cause illness, so the body has a way to uptake the toxins to have them filtered by the liver. If you take a coffee enema, this system uptakes the caffeine and other constituents in the coffee and it activates bile production to clear out and improve liver function. This has been used and is being studied in the treatment of pancreatic cancer (http://www.healingdaily.com/liver-detoxification/coffee-enemas-article.htm).

    Liver Care/Liv-52

    • Liv-52 has been the object of nearly 300 studies since its introduction in 1955. It has been shown to provide liver support and detoxification. Liv-52 by Himalaya has even been shown to help cure hepatitis (http://liv52.com/research/liv258.pdf). Liv-52 includes the herbs chicory, yarrow, black nightshade, arjuna, capers, negro coffee and tamarisk.

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