Nutrients for a healthy liver
Detoxifying foods
Penny Lara unravels all the nutritional knowledge you need to maintain a healthy liver.
Nutrients to include in your diet:
Chlorophyll: Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plant cells that can assist in the elimination of toxins from the blood. It is also capable of neutralising the negative effects of heavy metals such as lead, chemicals and pesticides. Top foods: Alfalfa, spinach, kale, silverbeet and broccoli.
Selenium: A powerful antioxidant that reduces the toxic load of the liver. Top foods: Brazil nuts, kidney (pig, beef, lamb, chicken), mussels, wheat germ and tuna.
Glutathione: Is an all-round antitoxin in our bodies. It is essential for the detoxification of a toxin produced naturally during metabolism called methylglyoxal. Glutathione also helps the liver detoxify other toxic chemicals including heavy metals and helps counteract the negative effects of alcohol and smoking. Top foods: Avocado, asparagus, walnuts and watermelon
Catechins: Are a plant antioxidant that can help liver function. Top foods: Green tea, grapes, apples, lentils and black-eyed peas.
Curcumin: Has long been used in the practice of Ayurvedic medicine to strengthen liver function. Curcumin may help rejuvenate liver cells by increasing the bile flow and stimulating the elimination of toxins. Top foods: Turmeric.
NEXT: Find out the dangers of fatty liver with Dr Sandra Cabot>>
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