How to Rest and Reboot Your Liver

Written by: Brilliant Staff

Fact checked by: John Soldner, PharmD

liver detox healthy food concept

Your liver is a busy bee, performing over 500 different functions, including filtering toxins, aiding digestion, storing vitamins, producing essential proteins, and more. Just like we need a break after a long day, our liver also needs a chance to rest and reboot to perform its best. Let's explore a few friendly tips on giving your hard-working liver a well-deserved maintenance break.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Working towards a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do for your liver. Tackling weight can help keep your liver in tip-top shape.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Water is crucial in virtually all body functions, including flushing toxins out of your system. Regular and sufficient hydration can help your liver process toxins more efficiently.

Mind Your Diet

A balanced diet enriched with nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and good fats can enhance liver health. Minimize the consumption of processed foods high in sugar, salt, and bad fats, as all these can stress your liver. The American Liver Foundation even suggests that coffee in moderation may be beneficial for liver health.

Limit Alcohol Intake

If you don't want to avoid alcohol altogether, a good approach is to follow the CDC's recommendation of moderate drinking, which is up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

Regular Exercise

Exercises, especially cardio and strength training, can slim your waistline, keeping your liver healthy. Regular physical activity can also help your liver function properly.

Get Proper Rest

Rest is equally important as any other measure. Ample sleep allows the liver to carry out its detoxifying processes more efficiently. 

Supplements for Liver Health

Supplements can help promote liver health. Here are a few supplement ingredients and their benefits:

  • Milk Thistle: This is believed to have liver-protective qualities. It includes a compound called silymarin, which has antioxidant properties.
  • Artichoke Leaf: This may help protect the liver, promote the growth of new liver tissue, and maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
  • Turmeric: This contains curcumin, which has antioxidant properties, potentially benefitting liver health.
  • Dandelion Root: This could aid in bile production and act as a detoxifier.

While helpful, supplements should not replace a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, as certain supplements may not be suitable for everyone and could even be harmful if taken improperly.

Remember, your lifestyle choices directly impact your liver's health. Paying attention to what you eat, drink, and how you live can go a long way to ensure a power-packed performance from your liver. Prioritize your liver’s health, and your liver will return the favor!

Citations

  1. Allyn Wergin, R.D.N. Mayo Clinic Health System, 14 June 2023, www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/water-essential-to-your-body.
  2. American Liver Foundation, 6 Mar. 2023, liverfoundation.org/resource-center/blog/13-ways-to-a-healthy-liver/. 
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 Apr. 2022, www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/moderate-drinking.htm. 
  4. Fabbrini, Elisa, et al. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.), U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3575093/#:~:text=Obesity%20is%20associated%20with%20an,(as%20triglyceride%20within%20VLDL). 
  5. Ignat, Maria Valentina, et al. Plants (Basel, Switzerland), U.S. National Library of Medicine, 23 Jan. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7911329/. 
  6. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nccih.nih.gov/health/milk-thistle. 
  7. Panknin, Timothy M, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 24 Feb. 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10003109/. 
  8. van der Windt, Dirk J, et al. Gene Expression, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 May 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5954622/#:~:text=In%20the%20liver%2C%20exercise%20increases,to%20improve%20fatty%20liver%20disease. 
  9. Wauquier, Fabien, et al. Nutrients, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 July 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8398945/.
  10. Zhao, Xun, and Philip Wong. Scientifica, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4868900/.