Updated

Updated · The Healthy · Aug 11

Cleveland Clinic Dietitian Rejects Liver Detoxes, Urges 3 Habits to Support Liver Health

Updated

Updated · The Healthy · Aug 11

Cleveland Clinic Dietitian Rejects Liver Detoxes, Urges 3 Habits to Support Liver Health

Q: Why are popular juice cleanses secretly causing your liver to store more fat instead of detoxing your body?

Popular juice cleanses can push the liver toward fat storage because they deliver a large, fast dose of fruit sugar without the fiber that normally slows absorption. When fruit is juiced, much of the fiber is removed, leaving concentrated fructose that reaches the liver quickly. The liver processes fructose differently from glucose, and in high amounts it can convert that sugar into fat, a process linked to fatty liver disease. That is why experts from Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins and UT MD Anderson say these cleanses do not “detox” the body. The liver already is the body’s detox organ, and it does not need teas, powders or juice fasts to do that job. What it does need is not to be overloaded by excess sugar, calories and alcohol. Juice cleanses can also worsen blood sugar swings because liquid sugars are absorbed rapidly. That can drive insulin spikes, increase hunger and cravings, and make fat storage more likely. Because cleanse plans are often low in protein and healthy fat, they may also leave people fatigued while offering only temporary weight loss, mostly from water and reduced calorie intake. Doctors say the better strategy is long-term liver support: whole fruits instead of juice, plenty of vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains, fatty fish, regular exercise, healthy weight control, and limiting sugary drinks and alcohol. Coffee and green tea may also help. In short, a juice cleanse is more likely to burden the liver metabolically than to “cleanse” it.

1 articles · Updated · The Healthy · Aug 11

Kristin Kirkpatrick of Cleveland Clinic said people do not need liver detox teas, supplements or cleanses because the liver already serves as the body’s detox center.
Instead, she recommended 3 evidence-backed habits—exercise, whole foods and maintaining a healthy weight—to support normal liver function.
Cleveland Clinic highlighted berries, fatty fish, legumes, nuts, beans, coffee and green tea as helpful choices, while advising people to limit sugar, soda and alcohol.
Kirkpatrick said recent studies show alcohol has no health benefits and can be especially harmful for people who already have liver problems.
The advice comes as consumers look for a post-summer reset, shifting the focus from marketed detox products to longer-term liver health.

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The Healthy92d ago

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1 total

The Healthy92d ago

Cleveland Clinic Expert Kristin Kirkpatrick Dispels Liver Detox Myths

Cleveland Clinic Dietitian Rejects Liver Detoxes, Urges 3 Habits to Support Liver Health

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