Your liver has the important function of removing toxins from the body so you need to keep it healthy. With this in mind, you might be tempted by one of the many liver detox programs out there. Unfortunately, doctors have stated that these programs usually aren’t as effective as they claim to be.
5 Reasons To Leave Liver Detoxes Alone
1. They Can Throw Your Electrolytes Off Balance
Generally, detox programs depend on you eating or drinking specific foods for a certain period. Doing this can throw off the balance of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium to make you ill.
Some of the symptoms you may experience include headaches, nausea, dizziness, delirium, vomiting, an irregular heartbeat, and seizures.
2. They Can Make Liver Damage Worse
Your liver is responsible for converting toxins into waste products and cleaning your blood. Under regular circumstances, it can do this without suffering damage.
However, if you have liver disease, taking some of the supplements or herbs that are recommended by detox programs can make liver damage worse.
3. They Can Lead To Infections
Some detox programs can increase your risk of infections. For example, coffee enemas can cause inflammation of the colon and rectum. They can lead to muscle spasms and at worst, perforated bowels. This will, in turn, result in the spread of an infection in your digestive system.
RELATED: 7 Foods That Replenish Your Liver
4. They Can Make You Sick
One popular detox program relies on you drinking raw or unpasteurized juices. While this is touted as being healthy, you should know that pasteurization is often necessary to remove microorganisms that can be harmful. Without that step, you may be exposed to microorganisms that will make you sick. This exposure can be particularly deleterious for those who have a compromised immune system, pregnant women, and older adults.
5. They Can Make Other Conditions Worse
If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, making sudden changes to your diet can have serious implications. You may throw your blood pressure or blood sugar levels completely out of whack and end up in a health crisis. It’s always best to talk to your doctor before undertaking any diet changes.
How To Take Care Of Your Damaged Liver
The steps for taking care of your damaged liver will vary according to how extensively your liver has been compromised. Given enough time, your liver can repair damaged cells if you don’t do anything else to encourage injury.
However, if the damage has gotten to the point of scarring, this can’t be undone. However, it’s possible to reduce the likelihood of
