Steps to address liver congestion & blocked detox pathways

Supporting the liver to naturally decongest by incorporating liver-friendly foods and lifestyle practices can help support your overall well-being. We recommend starting to implement these 5 steps to support decongesting your liver. 

1. Prioritise eating 'targeted' nutrient-dense foods

• Include meat stock (to heal the gut lining and support digestion).
• Eat liver-supporting foods: include beetroot, artichokes, lemons, grapefruit, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, cabbage), onions, garlic, and bitter greens (rocket, radicchio, endives, bitter greens) to enhance liver detoxification.
• Eggs: provide essential nutrients, including choline, which supports liver function and bile production.
• Organ meats: Nutrient-dense organ meats like liver supply vital vitamins and minerals that support detox pathways.

2. Support bile flow

• Ensure stomach acid is sufficient - consume lemon water first thing in the morning. Consume apple cider vinegar diluted in water before each meal. 
• Include healthy fats alongside meals (as tolerated) like ghee, butter, lard, tallow, olive oil and coconut oil, to stimulate bile production. Avoid processed seed oils. 
• Eat beets in apple cider vinegar alongside meals. 
• Drink beet kvass or fresh pressed vegetable juices or GAPS Shakes including beet to support bile thinning.
• Drink bitter herbal teas to stimulate bile production and flow such as dandelion tea.

3. Reduce toxic burden

• Avoid seed oils, processed foods, refined sugar, alcohol, and excessive caffeine.
• Choose organic food. 
• Swap to low-tox personal care and cleaning products to reduce the toxic load on your liver. These can tax the liver and impair its ability to efficiently process fats.

4. Incorporate gentle detox strategies into your day-day life

• Hydration: drink plenty of filtered water to flush toxins.
• Coffee enemas: help stimulate bile flow and toxin release.
• Castor oil packs: applied to the liver area to promote circulation and detoxification.
• Saunas, dry brushing, coffee enemas, and castor oil packs all aid toxin elimination. Find what suits you.
• Detox baths with Epsom salt baths for magnesium and sulphur support.

5. Address other factors (best with a practitioner)

• Consider Advanced Digestive Enzymes or ox bile supplementation to further support bile flow as recommended. 
• Consider liver clearing and supportive herbs like chanca piedra and milk thistle as recommended to clear the liver and support optimal bile flow. 
• Liver-supporting herbs: milk thistle, dandelion root, and turmeric can promote liver health.
• Ghee flush and liver and gall bladder flushing protocol.