Liver Diet

Liver Diet

Largest internal organ

Most people know that the liver is that large organ that is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdominal cavity, partially hidden under your ribs.

Generally, you do not even notice it, but if it's failing to do its job, due to injury or disease, you will soon become aware of how necessary it is to your welfare.

What is a good liver diet?

Although your liver is an amazing organism, with a marvelous ability to compensate, there are things you can do with your diet to help maintain a healthy liver.

If you have liver disease, you should consult with your health care provider about dietary changes, particularly if you are taking any medications for your condition.

Healthy Liver Diet

You will also find that many of these guidelines are useful for anyone who wants to improve their general health.

--Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables for their fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrientsthat are needed by the liver to perform its important functions.

--Limit or avoid alcohol since your liver has to metabolize it and may be overloaded in that process and unable to perform its other functions well.

--Watch your fat intake, particularly deep-fried foods and hydrogenated oils, which place a burden on the liver. Choose low-fat versions of dairy products.

--Eat organic foods, whenever possible, to reduce the detoxification work of the liver. If you can’t eat all organic, the most important foods to buy organic are meat, eggs, butter and cheese, where the chemicals are more concentrated.

--Maintain a healthy weight, since excess weight puts an unnecessary load on your liver and gallbladder.

--Avoid processed foods, especially those with high fructose corn syrup, a portion of which must be metabolized by the liver and if consumed in excess, can lead to a fatty liver.

--Avoid cured and smoked foods, and other foods high in salt.

--Add some turmeric to your diet, since it has been shown to improve a sluggish flow of bile and thus aid digestion.

--Brew some green tea for its ability to help keep toxins from damaging your liver.

--Try some ginger in your diet to aid digestion, which helps the liver.

--Drink some chamomile tea for its digestive healing properties.

--Eat sulfur foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, onions, garlic and egg yolks, which help the liver perform its detoxification function.

--Use milk thistle to help detoxify the liver. You can buy the seeds and grind them or make tea, or you can use an extract in supplement form.

Caveat: Just because these foods are good for you, don't be tempted to overdo on any of these choices. Even food can be bad for you if eaten in excess. With spices and herbs, a little goes a long way.

Click here to go from Liver Diet page to Healthy Eating Guidelines page.