Detoxifying the liver by fasting, drinking too much cool water from vegetables and herbs can overload the liver, leading to impaired function.
The liver performs many important functions in the body such as eliminating toxins, converting toxins into waste, cleaning the blood, metabolizing nutrients and drugs to provide protein for the body. However, the liver's detoxification ability is limited. If the body is exposed to many harmful factors such as polluted environment, dirty food, alcohol, tobacco, treatment drugs... it will damage the liver.
Master, Doctor Doan Hoang Long, Center for Endoscopy and Endoscopic Surgery of Digestive Surgery, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that when kupffer cells (macrophages that exist in the liver sinus) are overstimulated, they create immune reactions, releasing harmful substances such as TNF-α, TGF-β, Interleukin... that damage and destroy liver cells. This is the cause of fatty liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
Many people think that liver detoxification helps beautify the skin, purify the body, and slim the figure... so they detoxify at home using methods such as extreme fasting, drinking only fruit juice, herbs, vegetables, and using colon cleansers.
However, according to Dr. Long, detoxifying the liver in these ways is not as effective as many people expect. Drinking too much herbal water or fruit juice can easily lead to adverse effects, affecting overall health. These types of water only help to eliminate some toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin in the form of sweat. They can reduce pressure on the liver, stimulate metabolism but do not have a direct impact, so they do not have a clear detoxifying effect and can easily damage the liver.
Drinking cool water only helps eliminate toxins through the kidneys and intestines. Photo: Freepik
These types of water often contain impurities and toxins that make the liver work harder to metabolize, creating a burden on the liver. This condition, if prolonged, will cause a decline in the detoxification function of this organ. Cold water has a diuretic effect, drinking too much causes the kidneys to excrete excessively, easily leading to disorders of substances in the body and fatigue.
The liver needs enough nutrients to effectively maintain its blood filtering and detoxification functions. According to Dr. Long, detoxifying the liver by fasting and only drinking fruit juice (orange, lemon) also increases the risk of stomach ulcers, nutritional imbalance, and poor health. When lacking nutrients, the liver must use its reserve energy, causing it to be in a state of overwork, reduced function, and more toxins to accumulate. For the elderly, those with weak immune systems, kidney disease, diabetes, etc., improper detoxification can make the disease worse.
To lose weight and eliminate toxins effectively, Dr. Long recommends that everyone combine a healthy diet, exercise properly (150 minutes per week) and use scientifically proven liver detoxification support products. It is necessary to balance the nutrient groups of starch, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. Prioritize foods rich in antioxidants such as green vegetables, fresh fruits, and nuts. Natural essences such as wasabia and natural s. marianum have the effect of supporting the control of kupffer cells to help detoxify the liver.
People who drink cold drinks should consult a doctor, use clean ingredients, drink the right dosage, only 1-2 glasses per day, use 2-3 times a week, should not drink cold water instead of filtered water. People with risk factors for liver disease should have regular health check-ups or follow a doctor's appointment.
Thao Nhi
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