How to Make a Liver Cleanse

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Co-authored by Raj Vuppalanchi, MD and Cheyenne Main

Last Updated: May 20, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Grapefruit
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• Cranberry Juice
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• Apple Cider Vinegar
|
• Liver-Cleansing Foods
|
• Expert Q&A
|
• Tips
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• Warnings

|Show more |Show less

The liver carries out many functions that help you to sustain a healthy body. The liver processes all the things that you eat, drink, and absorb through the skin and, therefore, is frequently exposed to many harmful substances. Some signs that indicate a damaged liver include allergies, malnutrition, high cholesterol and triglycerides, and even gallstones. Although they’re not proven to be effective, liver cleanses might help alleviate these problems. There are liver detoxifying products available in health food and drug stores, but you can also make your own at home with only a few ingredients. Here are the safest ways to make a liver cleanse.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Grapefruit

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1. 1
   Understand the benefits of this cleanse. This 3-week detox may help remove toxins from the liver. The vitamin C in grapefruit can help boost your immune system, improve your iron absorption, and protect against toxins. However, there’s no reliable evidence that it can prevent or treat gallstones or any other ailments.

   • It may alleviate problems such as chronic acne, yeast infections, and symptoms associated with a leaky gut.
   • To make 1 drink, you'll need extra virgin olive oil and 1 large peeled grapefruit (or orange).
2. 
   2
   Prepare the grapefruit mixture. Place a peeled grapefruit and 1 to 2 US tbsp (15 to 30 mL) extra virgin olive oil in a glass. The whole grapefruit offers fiber for increased gut health. Olive oil decreases heart disease and protects against cancer and other diseases.

   • Add some honey or sugar for additional sweetness.
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3. 3
   Drink the cleanser every day for 3 weeks. Blend a new drink each morning and drink the entire glass to get the most benefits from this liver cleanse.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Cranberry Juice

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1. 1
   Understand the benefits of this cleanse. This detox is used to cleanse the liver and may eliminate bloating and increase energy levels. Cranberry juice contains vitamin K, which is needed to make proteins in the liver that cause blood to clot. It also contains vitamin C, which helps your cells protect against free radicals that may play a role in cancer and other diseases.

   • To perform this cleanse, you will need unsweetened cranberry juice, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, 2-3 oranges, 2-3 lemons, and stevia (a natural sweetener).
   

   Andreas Moritz, Health Guru

   Liver cleansing can help to improve liver function and restore overall health and vitality. By following a liver cleansing program, you can eliminate toxins from the liver and improve its ability to function properly. This can lead to improved digestion, increased energy, and a stronger immune system.
2. 2
   Prepare your body for the cleanse. Before you perform this cleanse, prepare your liver by following a healthy diet in the 7 days running up to the cleanse. Eating fresh, unprocessed foods may help you avoid feeling tired and sluggish on the day of the cleanse.

   • Eat lots of green leafy vegetables (lettuce, cabbage, kale), cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts), citrus fruits, sulfur-rich foods (eggs, garlic and onions) and liver-healing foods (asparagus, beets, celery).
   • Make sure to drink plenty of water (15.5  c (3.7 L) for men and 11.5  c (2.7 L) for women). Hepatologist Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi recommends avoiding “foods rich in carbohydrates and high fructose corn syrup.”
3. 
   3
   Prepare the cleansing cranberry drink. On the morning of the cleanse, prepare the cranberry drink. First, dilute the unsweetened cranberry juice to a quarter of its original strength with filtered water to make 72  fl oz (2.1 L) liquid. Add this cranberry water to a saucepan and bring to a low boil over medium heat.

   • Add ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg to a tea ball and place in the boiling cranberry water. Allow the water to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, then take off the heat.
   • Once cooled, squeeze the oranges and lemons and add their juice to the cranberry water. Taste the liquid and add a couple of packets of stevia for sweetness, if desired.
4. 
   4
   Drink the cranberry mix in the morning and throughout the day. On the day of your cleanse, drink the cranberry water. For maximum benefits, make sure to drink a cold glass of cranberry juice on an empty stomach in the morning to help the antibacterial agents coat your digestive and urinary tracts.

   • Take a colon-caring supplement (such as 2 teaspoons of powdered psyllium husks or 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed) twice throughout the day — once in the morning and once in the evening.
5. 5
   Allow your body to recover from the cleanse. For the three days following the cleanse, follow the same dietary guidelines as required for the week before the cleanse to maintain a healthy liver.

   • To improve your gut health, incorporate some healthy bacteria into your diet from organic, raw sauerkraut or plain yogurt containing live, active cultures.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Apple Cider Vinegar

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1. 1
   Understand the benefits of this cleanse. Apple cider vinegar has long been used as a home remedy for liver cleansing and blood purification.

   • It may also have other benefits, such as lowering blood sugar, calming acid reflux, and promoting weight loss.
   • Although apple cider vinegar is safe to use in most cases, it can irritate your throat in large amounts and interact with other supplements or medications like diuretics or insulin.
2. 2
   Buy organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Buy organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar, as this may contain a higher nutritional content.

   • Shake the bottle before pouring to distribute the thicker, hazier-looking layer at the bottom—this is a probiotic known as "the mother" that may have health benefits.
3. 
   3
   Take the apple cider vinegar on a daily basis. Apple cider vinegar can be used to detox your liver on an ongoing basis and doesn't require any fasting.

   • All you need to do is add 1  tsp (4.9 mL) of the vinegar to a mug of warm water and drink it before or after every meal.
   • Alternatively, you can add 1 or 2 US tbsp (15 or 30 ml) of the apple cider vinegar to a large glass of water and drink it first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach.
4. 4
   Use apple cider vinegar in other ways. Alternative ways to add more apple cider vinegar to your diet include:

   • Making a tea by adding 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of apple cider vinegar to hot water. Add honey to sweeten.
   • Making a salad dressing by mixing apple cider vinegar with flaxseed oil and honey.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Liver-Cleansing Foods

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1. 1
   Eat garlic. Taking garlic can decrease oxidative stress and fatty acids associated with fatty liver disease. It also contains two natural compounds called allicin and selenium which support healthy liver function.

   • However, high doses of garlic can cause liver damage. Try to limit your intake to 0.1 to 0.25 grams (less than 1 clove) per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of body weight per day.
2. 2
   Eat green, leafy vegetables. Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, cabbage, collard greens, and microgreens can provide a multitude of liver-cleansing benefits. They contain vitamin K, which helps blood clot and wounds heal.

   • Dr. Vuppalanchi says that “if you eat fresh vegetables, particularly green leafy vegetables, you would be replenishing the minerals and vitamins” necessary for good liver health.
3. 3
   Eat grapefruit. Grapefruit contains a special protein called glutathione, which helps repair cells damaged by pollution or stress and protects against gall stones and other health issues. Enjoying a whole grapefruit or drinking a glass of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice may aid the liver cleansing and boost your body’s vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidant content.
4. 4
   Eat avocado. Avocados are also high in glutathione, a compound which protects the liver from toxins. Some research has suggested that eating avocados may help reverse liver damage caused by fatty liver disease.

   • Avocados also contain anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and weight loss properties.
5. 5
   Eat nuts like walnuts. Walnuts contain glutathione, an amino acid called l-arginine, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which can help fight inflammation. Other nuts, like almonds and pistachios, are high in vitamin E, which can help people with fatty liver disease. Try munching on a handful of nuts as a snack, or sprinkling them over a salad.

   • Nuts are also high in protein, which can be helpful if you have advanced liver disease or are struggling with muscle loss that’s related to your liver problems.
6. 6
   Eat turmeric. Turmeric is something of a liver-cleansing superfood—it contains curcumin, which can protect the liver from toxins and helps to regenerate damaged liver cells. Try adding turmeric to lentil curries and stewed vegetable dishes to take advantage of its detoxifying benefits.

   • Curcumin can also reduce bloating and stimulate the gallbladder to produce bile, which may improve digestion.
   • Turmeric extract can protect against liver injury.
7. 7
   Know what to avoid. There are certain foods and ingredients that work against the liver, overloading it with toxins and hindering its proper function. Such foods include processed, fatty foods like preserved meat (sausages, corned beef), deep fried food, and margarine and hydrogenated oils.

   • Dr. Vuppalanchi says that “Studies have shown that high fructose corn syrup in the diet, excess calories from carbohydrates, particularly refined flour, sugars, [and] juices” result in the “fatty infiltration of the liver… ultimately leading to metabolic syndrome, cirrhosis and liver failure.”
8. 8
   Take supplements. There are many natural supplements which might help detoxify the liver and promote liver health. Some of the most popular include malic acid, burdoc, dandelion root and milk thistle. These can be found at the pharmacy or health food store and must be taken according to the instructions on the packaging.
9. 9
   Drink detoxifying teas. Certain herbal teas are believed to flush toxins and fat deposits from the liver, while also increasing hydration levels. The best teas for liver cleansing include ingredients such as dandelion root, ginger, clove, burdock root, chamomile, cinnamon and horsetail. Try to drink at least two cups of herbal tea per day and sweeten with honey if necessary.

   • The caffeine in coffee can protect you from developing fatty liver disease and is beneficial for those with hepatitis C and other liver diseases. Aim to drink 3 cups every day.
   • The enzymes and acids in kombucha can help your liver detox the body and combat fatty liver disease.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  What foods are bad for my liver?

  

  Raj Vuppalanchi, MD
  Academic Hepatologist

  Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is an Academic Hepatologist, a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Director of Clinical Hepatology at IU Health. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Vuppalanchi runs a clinical practice and provides care to patients with various liver disorders at the University Hospital in Indianapolis. He completed dual fellowships in Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Raj Vuppalanchi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases and the American College of Gastroenterology. His patient-oriented research is dedicated to finding new treatments for various liver disorders as well as the use of diagnostic tests for non-invasive estimation of liver fibrosis (transient elastography) and portal hypertension (spleen stiffness).

  

  Raj Vuppalanchi, MD

  Academic Hepatologist

  Expert Answer

  Try to avoid foods that have a lot of carbohydrates and high fructose corn syrup.

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Tips

• Cold pressed flax oil, acidophilus, ornithine capsules, and milk thistle can be found in many health food stores or nutrition centers.
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• Milk thistle can be added to any of these liver cleanse recipes in either capsule or liquid form. Add 2 120 mg capsules to the cleanse or 5 drops of liquid. Milk thistle might help repair cells damaged by toxic substances.
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Warnings

• Liver and gallbladder cleanses are not proven to be beneficial or effective for treating liver problems. If think you may have liver problems, talk to a doctor right away.
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