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Digestive Health
Question #12107
45 days ago
82

Liver cleansing - #12107

Parthiv

I am really worried about my health right now. About a month ago, I started feeling extremely bloated and nauseous after meals. My friend suggested I try liver cleansing because she said it could really help improve digestion and get rid of toxins. I’ve been reading stuff about liver cleansing online, but I don't really know if it’s legit or just another fad. I mean, I did get some blood tests done and my liver enzymes were slightly elevated, which freaked me out. I thought I was eating healthy, mostly plant-based foods, but I guess maybe it’s not enough? Anyway, I googled a bunch of liver cleansing diets and they all sound sooo different. Some people swear by juice cleanses and others say herbs are the way to go. I don’t even know what to believe! My doctor recommended I get a ultrasound which I did, but waiting for those results is stressing me out. Do you think liver cleansing could actually help me? Are there any risks to liver cleansing that I should be aware of? I’m just trying to figure out if I’m making the right move here and if liver cleansing is really what I need to get my health on track. Help!

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Doctors’ responses

Liver cleansing, often marketed through various fad diets and detoxes, doesn’t have substantial evidence backing its effectiveness for treating your symptoms or elevating liver enzymes. The liver is naturally efficient at detoxifying your body without needing special diets, cleanses, or juices. Elevated liver enzymes can arise from a variety of causes such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or medication effects and without pinpointing the underlying cause, cleansing might not be beneficial and can even be harmful. For instance, some cleansing practices can lead to nutrient imbalances or even worsen liver function, especially if involving unregulated supplements or extreme diets.

Instead of focusing on a liver cleanse, it’s critical to consider a holistic lifestyle approach. Continue to maintain a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, moderate exercise, adequate hydration, and minimize alcohol intake. Adequate sleep and stress management are also key to overall liver health. Keep in mind, the results of your ultrasound are important to interpret your liver enzyme levels and guide your next steps. If the ultrasound indicates a reversible cause, address that specific factor in consultation with your healthcare provider.

It’s essential you stay in close contact with your healthcare team to monitor your liver function and symptoms. If you experience symptoms like severe abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice, you should seek immediate medical attention, as these could indicate a serious problem requiring urgent care. Until there’s clear guidance from your doctor based on test results, hold off on self-diagnosing or seeking unproven alternatives that promise liver detoxification. Make sure any intervention or dietary adjustment is discussed with your healthcare team, prioritizing safe and evidence-based interventions.

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