How to Improve Liver Health

The liver is one of the most important organs in the body. It is responsible for filtering the blood and eliminating toxins. Years of bad lifestyle habits and poor eating can take a toll on the liver. If it functions improperly, then the whole body suffers. To keep this from happening, there are some measures that can be taken to keep your liver running at maximum performance for the long haul.

Instructions

• 1

  Make lifestyle adjustments. Avoid excessive use of alcohol. According to The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, drinking two to three drinks a day for women and three to four drinks a day for men can cause cirrhosis and damage to the liver. Also avoid caffeine and tobacco products.

• 2

  Avoid toxic fumes. The liver can be affected by breathing in toxic air and fumes. These can be the result of your job or hobbies. Avoid breathing in paint thinners, solvents, pesticides or toxic smoke. Make sure to be in well ventilated areas, wear masks and avoid skin contact with any chemicals as they can absorb into the body.

• 3

  Eat detoxifying foods. Avoid foods that are deep fried, highly processed, refined and high in saturated fat. Chose detoxifying foods instead. Some of these include onions, garlic, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, beets and cabbage.

• 4

  Drink plenty of water. Water plays a vital role in the elimination process. It helps the liver flush impurities and toxins from the system. The Institute of Medicine recommends 3.7 liters a day for men and 2.7 liters a day for women.

• 5

  Eat enough fiber. Fiber binds to toxins and impurities which can take a lost of stress off the liver. Some examples of foods with fiber include pears, apples, oat bran, oatmeal, beans and legumes.

• 6

  Take some support supplements. According to Dr. Michael Murray of Bastyr University in Washington, there are some synergistic formulas that are beneficial for liver health. These include glucuronate, alpha lipoic acid, silymarin phytosome, curcumin and licorice extract.

• 7

  Keep your weight under control. Being overweight or obese can have a negative impact on the liver. It actually causes a condition called "fatty liver." This is basically fat deposits that get built up causing the liver not to function optimally. To keep weight gain in check, exercise daily for at least 30 minutes. Some examples are jogging, weight training, biking, swimming or even fast paced walking.