When we overeat or eat processed or fried foods, or anytime we are exposed to environmental pollutants or stress, the liver becomes overworked and overloaded. When the liver is taxed, it can't process toxins and fat in an efficient way. There are many foods that can help cleanse the liver naturally by stimulating its natural ability to expel toxic waste from the body.
The liver is the largest solid organ and the largest gland in the human body. It carries out over 500 essential tasks. Weighing between 3.17 and 3.66 pounds (lb), or between 1.44 and 1.66 kilograms (kg), the liver is reddish-brown with a rubbery texture. It is situated above and to the left of the stomach and below the lungs.
The major functions of the liver include:
-Bile production: Bile helps the small intestine break down and absorb fats, cholesterol, and some vitamins. Bile consists of bile salts, cholesterol, bilirubin, electrolytes, and water.
-Absorbing and metabolizing bilirubin: Bilirubin is formed by the breakdown of hemoglobin. The iron released from hemoglobin is stored in the liver or bone marrow and used to make the next generation of blood cells.
-Supporting blood clots: Vitamin K is necessary for the creation of certain coagulants that help clot the blood. Bile is essential for vitamin K absorption and is created in the liver. If the liver does not produce enough bile, clotting factors cannot be produced.
-Fat metabolization: Bile breaks down fats and makes them easier to digest.
-Metabolizing carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are stored in the liver, where they are broken down into glucose and siphoned into the bloodstream to maintain normal glucose levels. They are stored as glycogen and released whenever a quick burst of energy is needed.
-Vitamin and mineral storage: The liver stores vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12. It keeps significant amounts of these vitamins stored. In some cases, several years’ worth of vitamins is held as a backup. The liver stores iron from hemoglobin in the form of ferritin, ready to make new red blood cells. The liver also stores and releases copper.
-Helps metabolize proteins: Bile helps break down proteins for digestion.
-Filters the blood: The liver filters and removes compounds from the body, including hormones, such as estrogen and aldosterone, and compounds from outside the body, including alcohol and other drugs.
-Immunological function: The liver is part of the mononuclear phagocyte system. It contains high numbers of Kupffer cells that are involved in immune activity. These cells destroy any disease-causing agents that might enter the liver through the gut.
-Production of albumin: Albumin is the most common protein in blood serum. It transports fatty acids and steroid hormones to help maintain the correct pressure and prevent the leaking of blood vessels.
-Synthesis of angiotensinogen: This hormone raises blood pressure by narrowing the blood vessels when alerted by production of an enzyme called renin in the kidneys.
The liver is the largest solid organ and the largest gland in the human body. It carries out over 500 essential tasks. Weighing between 3.17 and 3.66 pounds (lb), or between 1.44 and 1.66 kilograms (kg), the liver is reddish-brown with a rubbery texture. It is situated above and to the left of the stomach and below the lungs.
The major functions of the liver include:
-Bile production: Bile helps the small intestine break down and absorb fats, cholesterol, and some vitamins. Bile consists of bile salts, cholesterol, bilirubin, electrolytes, and water.
-Absorbing and metabolizing bilirubin: Bilirubin is formed by the breakdown of hemoglobin. The iron released from hemoglobin is stored in the liver or bone marrow and used to make the next generation of blood cells.
-Supporting blood clots: Vitamin K is necessary for the creation of certain coagulants that help clot the blood. Bile is essential for vitamin K absorption and is created in the liver. If the liver does not produce enough bile, clotting factors cannot be produced.
-Fat metabolization: Bile breaks down fats and makes them easier to digest.
-Metabolizing carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are stored in the liver, where they are broken down into glucose and siphoned into the bloodstream to maintain normal glucose levels. They are stored as glycogen and released whenever a quick burst of energy is needed.
-Vitamin and mineral storage: The liver stores vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12. It keeps significant amounts of these vitamins stored. In some cases, several years’ worth of vitamins is held as a backup. The liver stores iron from hemoglobin in the form of ferritin, ready to make new red blood cells. The liver also stores and releases copper.
-Helps metabolize proteins: Bile helps break down proteins for digestion.
-Filters the blood: The liver filters and removes compounds from the body, including hormones, such as estrogen and aldosterone, and compounds from outside the body, including alcohol and other drugs.
-Immunological function: The liver is part of the mononuclear phagocyte system. It contains high numbers of Kupffer cells that are involved in immune activity. These cells destroy any disease-causing agents that might enter the liver through the gut.
-Production of albumin: Albumin is the most common protein in blood serum. It transports fatty acids and steroid hormones to help maintain the correct pressure and prevent the leaking of blood vessels.
-Synthesis of angiotensinogen: This hormone raises blood pressure by narrowing the blood vessels when alerted by production of an enzyme called renin in the kidneys.
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LearningTranscript
00:00Welcome everyone, Dr. Mandel here.
00:11Did you know that your liver is the main organ within your whole body that's responsible
00:18for detoxification?
00:20Now think about all the foods that we ingest including all the medicine and drugs as well
00:28as all the things that we inhale, smoking, pollution, excessive sugars, excessive fats,
00:38refined foods that we eat every day, all this causes toxins to accumulate in our liver.
00:47You see here is the problem, when those toxins accumulate we get more free radicals, that's
00:54what causes all that degenerative changes to occur within our liver and if we don't
01:01get a hold of this early enough we're going to eventually have significant liver damage.
01:09Over 80 million people here just in the United States have fatty livers.
01:15When you look at the amount of carbohydrates as well as processed foods that we take in
01:20that we ingest and our liver is trying to take all of this sugar and convert it into
01:28fat and it becomes so excessive that we start building up fat in the liver.
01:34Now the liver's metabolism has significant problems.
01:38Just to show you how powerful your liver is, it produces bile which helps carry away waste
01:45and break down fats into the small intestine during digestion.
01:49It produces cholesterol and special proteins to carry fats through the body.
01:55It stores and releases glucose as needed.
01:58It processes hemoglobin for use of its iron content.
02:03It clears the blood of drugs and other harmful substances.
02:07It regulates blood clotting.
02:09There are several liver healing foods that you need to start adding to your diet to help
02:15cleanse your liver.
02:17Coconut oil, like all natural fat, helps you feel satisfied and reduces that sugar craving.
02:24Just a tablespoon a day can be a great asset.
02:28Start adding cruciferous vegetables to your diet.
02:32These will help raise levels of glutathione.
02:35It's an antioxidant that's a liver detoxifier and anti-inflammatory.
02:40Your sulfur-rich veggies like your onions and garlic, they help the liver produce bile
02:46to break down fat, which in turn makes it easier for the body to burn carbs and energy.
02:52Dandelion greens help support better liver function.
02:56That's another great bile booster.
02:59So if you're a coffee lover, you're probably going to love me for this one.
03:03One to two cups of coffee a day will keep the doctor away.
03:09That's a great antioxidant to help preserve and heal your liver.
03:14And don't forget your turmeric.
03:16This spice is rich in the antioxidant curcumin, which is so good for the liver.
03:23This can actually help improve fat burning.
03:27One of the greatest herbs on top of my list is called milk thistle.
03:32There are multiple studies out there.
03:35The other name is called silymarin.
03:38This will repair damaged cells.
03:40It's a major detoxifier, and this will do miracles for your liver.
03:45Always keep those lemons around.
03:47Squeeze that lemon into a glass of water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
03:52It's an amazing detoxifier, and it will also help the liver emulsify fat.
03:59Eating your berries will help cleanse your liver.
04:02It's rich in polyphenols.
04:05So eat your fatty fishes.
04:07They're great in omega-3s.
04:10Your tunas, your salmons, your mackerel.
04:14Don't be afraid to eat healthy fats.
04:18Your olive oils, your nuts.
04:21That's what you need to help clean your liver.
04:24All these strategies will definitely help your liver.
04:29But please help yourself first.
04:34If you have bad habits of eating lots of refined foods, tons of sugars, not getting
04:40proper rest, not exercising, or sleeping correctly, you need to change that first.
04:48Make sure you're hydrating with lots of fluids.
04:51Eat your fruits and vegetables, and do everything right.
04:56I promise you, you will see great results.
05:01I ask you to share this video on your social media so we can help spread the word and help
05:05others.
05:07Please leave your comments below, and most important, make it a great day.
05:12I'm Dr. Alan Mandel.