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Liver Cleansing Cautions

There are many cleansing programs available on the market that claim to help your body restore itself to maximum energy levels. Many of these focus on easing the stress we put on our livers and kidneys by removing dietary items that are hard to digests and eliminate. With any dietary change, consult your doctor to review the risks and understand the potential side effects.

  1. Liver Cleansing

    • You can find more than a few "liver cleanse" programs on the Internet and in local health food stores. Some of these are fasting diets where you eliminate solid food for up to 10 days, as is the case with the Master Cleanser or lemonade diet. Others are supplements that you can either drink as a tea or take after meals that are supposed to help your liver process the food easier. One of the more common herbs for the liver is milk thistle. Many people go on a raw food diet consuming only unprocessed foods that contain no preservatives, food coloring or artificial flavors.

    Confirmed Success

    • While there are thousands of testimonials on just as many websites touting the success of liver cleansing and how it gives you more energy and concentration, there is yet to be any research that can substantiate the claims. Michael Picco, M.D., for the Mayo Clinic states that evidence doesn't exist to prove that a cleanse can actually remove toxins from the body in any more efficient manner than what your liver and kidneys normally do. He instead recommends a healthy diet with exercise as being a "solid foundation" for health.

    Side Effects

    • The side effects when doing a liver cleanse vary from person to person and are dependent on the type of cleanse you are doing. For those who go on more drastic, fasting cleanses, the primary side effects are headaches, lethargy, and moodiness. The headaches are most likely a withdrawal from caffeine, nicotine or other synthetic substance. Lethargy and moodiness result from releasing the stored toxins into the blood stream. You may also become sick with flu-like symptoms until the toxins are flushed out of your system. Diarrhea and constipation are also common because you have disrupted the normal eating schedule your bowels are used to.

    Medical Concerns

    • If you are on a fasting cleanse for your liver, you may have some serious medical conditions arise. One of the primary concerns is the development of anemia--you are not consuming enough iron. Low blood sugar is another common problem, as is an irregular heartbeat. Some people who are not consuming enough nutrients may develop a serious electrolyte imbalance as well. These are serious medical conditions. If you find yourself lightheaded and dizzy for extended periods of time while on the cleanse, seek medical attention immediately.

    Not for Everyone

    • Because of the potential medical issues, a liver cleanse, particularly one that involves fasting, may not be suitable for everyone. Those with diabetes, anemia and heart problems should only do a liver cleanse under doctor supervision. Even if you are not at risk, you should consult your doctor about your risks in doing a liver cleanse.

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