Out of the many functions performed by the liver, detoxification, and production of bile for healthy digestion are important. However, constant exposure to toxic substances can harm the liver. Prof. Dr, Sandhya Patel, MD Ayurveda, Haridwar says, “Sometimes the detoxifier needs Detoxification. Detoxification means arresting the process of abnormal liver structure and/or function, treating the pathology and restoring the liver to normalcy, enabling it to carry out its normal functions.”
“Abnormal liver functions, liver damage, or chronic liver diseases can lead to liver failure. Its reason can be your lifestyle, which may be silently affecting your liver and causing damage. It may result in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)” she adds.
Who needs Detoxification?
But how will one understand his/her need for liver detoxification? Dr. Sandhya explains that one may need liver detoxification if they have:
- had a long term faulty lifestyle such as regular alcohol intake, misuse of OTC drugs, etc.
- Certain non-specific physical complaints
- Recurrent illness
- Abnormal Liver-Function Tests (LFT)
- Family history of autoimmune disorders, etc.
Detoxifying
What can one do to detoxify their liver or rather keep it healthy? Dr. Sandhya recommends:
- As we all know, “Prevention is better than cure”, therefore, having a healthy lifestyle from the very beginning is a good and in fact better option.
- In case you have a faulty lifestyle, switch to a healthier one now, before it is too late.
- Support your liver from outside, which means increasing the intake of healthy foods and having a well-balanced diet. Include proteins in your diet.
- The addition of Punarnava in your diet may also help since it helps in the cleansing of the liver. However, consult an Ayurvedic doctor before consuming it.
- Treat the pathology and reverse the pathological process, i.e. restoring the liver to its normal anatomical and functional state.
Apart from this, you may:
- Limit or completely avoid the use of alcohol in your everyday life to prevent the development of Alcoholic Liver Disease.
- Go as per medication and do not exceed the dosage of OTC medicines.
- Get yourself vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B
- Keep a healthy weight and exercise regularly
- Practice safe sex to avoid the transmission of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Foods you may consider:
- Garlic
- Orange
- Green vegetables
- Beetroot
- Walnut
- Green tea
- Turmeric tea
- Lemon water
Therefore, a healthy lifestyle is a key to not just a healthier liver, but also to overall happier life. Simple dietary changes and following a fitness regime can be helpful too. Therefore, before it is too late to treat anything, prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment on time is important and will keep you away from liver failure.
