Do You Need A Liver Cleanse? Here Are 5 Ways To Detox Naturally

Contributing Health & Nutrition Editor By Stephanie Eckelkamp
Contributing Health & Nutrition Editor
Medical review by Wendie Trubow, M.D., MBA
Functional Medicine Gynecologist
Limes, Apples, Zucchini, and Avocados in a Sustainable Grocery Bag

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The idea of a liver cleanse or detox is often divisive, eliciting thoughts of cayenne-infused lemon water or wacky "liver flushes" that involve consuming nothing but apple juice, olive oil, and Epsom salts. In these cases, people are right to be skeptical—but that's not to say your liver doesn't need some support.

But it's not about detoxing or cleansing the liver itself—because that's not really a thing. It's more about supporting what your liver does naturally and protecting it from external stressors.

Here, discover the simple, safe, and effective ways to help your liver do its job better—and support your overall health in the process. 

Are liver "cleanses" necessary?

The liver is a workhorse. It's your body's primary filtration system—it converts toxins into waste products, cleanses your blood, metabolizes nutrients and medications, and produces proteins. And while a healthy liver naturally cleanses itself, it might not necessarily be functioning optimally if it's constantly faced with dietary and environmental toxins.

More than ever before, our bodies are bombarded with stressors, from pollution to chemicals in skin care products to preservatives in the foods we eat. These can deplete nutrient stores, cause a buildup of dangerous substances in the body, like heavy metals or molds, and lead to chronic inflammation—all of which can make us tired and sick and give our livers a whole lot more work to do.


So, helping this vital organ only seems fair—whether you call it a liver "cleanse" or "detox" or whatever, it doesn't really matter. Even though we can't necessarily control our exposure to all pollutants and chemicals, we can make strategic dietary and lifestyle shifts that counter their effects by aiding the liver's detoxification pathways and lightening our overall toxic load. The truth is it's a multifaceted approach, but you certainly don't have to buy into expensive cleanses or extreme detox diets.

Signs you might need a liver cleanse or detox.

Think back to the time in your life when you felt the healthiest. How does your current state compare? If you feel significantly less vital, then it could be a sign that your liver needs some support or that your diet and lifestyle need a general overhaul. Here are some signs your liver needs a little support:

  • You crave sugar often.
  • You're always tired or "foggy."
  • You're frequently constipated.
  • You have seasonal allergies.
  • You eat healthy but don't feel healthy.
  • Your skin isn't clear.
  • Your skin is itchy.
  • You have joint pain.
  • You're overweight.
  • You're sensitive to chemicals, smells, or medications.
  • You have bad body odor.
  • You're stressed or anxious.
  • You're resistant to weight loss.
  • You have frequent mood swings.
  • You have bad breath.
  • You experience frequent gas and bloating.

What could be messing with your liver function?

While most people associate a compromised or damaged liver with diseases like hepatitis, there are plenty of other factors that can put an unnecessary burden on your body's main detoxifying organ, all of which you should take steps to remedy immediately:

Being overweight

"Most environmental chemicals like pesticides and plastics are stored in your fat tissue," said Hyman. Plus, extra fat can build up in your liver and cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which impedes liver functioning.

Excessive sugar

Too much refined sugar can also cause NAFLD. Some research shows that sugar can be as damaging to your liver as alcohol, even if you're not considered overweight.

Too much alcohol

About 10 to 15% of heavy drinkers will develop liver scarring. Women should aim for no more than one drink per day, and men no more than two.

Taking meds incorrectly

Tylenol (or acetaminophen) is in loads of medications, and too much acetaminophen can harm your liver. Never take more than the recommended dose, and never combine it with alcohol.

Exposure to chemicals

These can include pesticides, fungicides, or paint, or even chronic exposure to pollution. Avoid these whenever possible, and if you can't, it might be a good idea to consider detoxing.

Poor gut health

Leaky gut, caused by unmanaged food sensitivities, antibiotics, poor overall diet, and other factors, leads to the release of pro-inflammatory toxins into the bloodstream that tax the liver.

5 ways to cleanse your liver naturally.

If you've been wondering how to detox or cleanse your liver without compromising your health, then read on. Just keep in mind, these strategies aren't about detoxing or cleansing the liver itself per se; they're about supporting the liver so it can perform optimally.

1. Adopt a liver- and gut-friendly diet.

Nope, you don't need a fancy cleanse. What you need is a balanced, healthy diet that promotes weight loss (or weight maintenance, if you're already at a healthy weight) and contains nutrients that promote liver and gut health. In fact, losing just 3 to 6% of your body weight could reduce liver fat levels by 35 to 40%, according to one recent study, which would take a huge burden off your body's main detoxifying organ.

A good first step: Ditch the processed foods and drink more water. Skip most processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol, and focus on whole, preferably organic foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, sustainably raised meats, fish, eggs, and minimally processed oils, such as olive or coconut oil. 

This means you'll be taking a break from most of the foods, additives, and pesticide residues that tax your system while adding in nutrient-dense foods that will nourish the body. 

Consider ditching common sources of food sensitivities and allergens, including gluten. This can help heal damage to the gut and reduce the number of toxins that enter your bloodstream and stress the liver.

Hyman recommends 8 to 10 glasses of filtered water daily. Some experts believe warm water (with or without lemon) is even better because it helps promote good digestion and optimal functioning of the lymphatic system, both of which indirectly support liver health.

Liver-friendly foods.

Next, add in specific liver-friendly foods: Once you've got the basics down, you can start adding in foods that promote healthy liver functioning, i.e., promote glutathione production, bind heavy metals and toxins, and stimulate bile flow. 

Here are 13 of our favorite liver-friendly foods:


Almonds, sunflower seeds, peanuts, wheat germ, salmon, and avocado are all great sources of vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that research suggests can counter the oxidative stress associated with fatty liver disease.


Bile helps to transport toxins so they can be removed from the body, so an impairment of bile flow can result in the buildup of toxins and liver injury. Artichoke contains phenolic derivatives that have been used for centuries to stimulate bile flow and protect the liver.


Deep-hued berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries aren't only loaded with fiber; they contain phytochemicals called anthocyanins, which have potent antioxidant properties that have been shown to scavenge free radicals and promote normal inflammatory processes.*


These ruby-hued roots contain pigments called betalains, which help promote normal inflammatory processes and support cellular repair in the liver thanks to their potent antioxidant properties.* 

They also contain betaine, which helps liver cells eliminate toxins, and pectin, a type of fiber that helps bind and clear toxins.* Consider trying one of these 10 delicious beet recipes for a healthy liver.

Broccoli sprouts

Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and watercress contain sulfur-containing phytochemicals called glucosinolates, which are protective against chronic conditions and help the body remove toxins.*

One study found that a drink made with broccoli sprouts activated enzymes that help pick up pollutants from the bloodstream and flush them out via urine, and another found that broccoli consumption slowed the progression of fatty liver disease in mice.*

Citrus fruits

Lemons, tangerines, and oranges contain a compound called D-limonene, which has been shown to help slow oxidative damage caused to the liver as a result of a high-fat diet. Sipping on lemon water throughout the day is also a great way to stay hydrated, which promotes the movement of toxins out of the body.

Dandelion root and greens

Dandelion is known for its cleansing properties, and one study found that both the root and leaf helped rid the body of reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative stress. Reap the benefits by sipping on dandelion root tea, which makes a great caffeine-free alternative to coffee. Dandelion greens (along with other bitter greens such as mustard greens and arugula) are great, too, because they help stimulate bile production and promote healthy digestion.

Fermented foods

Sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, lacto-fermented pickles, kefir, yogurt, and other fermented foods are loaded with beneficial probiotic bacteria that promote healthy digestion and integrity of the gut lining, thereby helping keep toxins out of the bloodstream. According to functional medicine expert Frank Lipman, M.D., they can also help clear heavy metals out of the body.

Glutathione-boosting foods

Glutathione is an antioxidant concentrated in the liver that helps bind toxins and escort them out of the body via urine or bile.* Glutathione can be obtained directly from a few foods, including raw spinach, avocado, and asparagus, and it can also be produced by your body from the amino acids glutamine, glycine, and cysteine. Foods containing the building blocks of glutathione include bone broth, whey protein, and sulfur-containing foods such as broccoli and garlic.*

Green tea

In addition to promoting healthy inflammation levels in the body, the phytochemicals in green tea help trigger both phase-one and phase-two liver detoxification.* In phase one, toxins are made water-soluble by enzymes, and in phase two, toxins are bound to protective chemicals that neutralize them and allow them to be eliminated via bile or urine.

Leafy greens

Dark leafy greens such as dandelion greens, arugula, spinach, and kale contain plant chlorophylls, which help remove chemicals, pesticides, and heavy metals from the bloodstream.* Specifically, early research shows that chlorophyll reduces the risk of liver damage caused by aflatoxins (dangerous compounds produced by fungi that can be present on a variety of foods, including peanuts) by activating certain enzymes.*


Get plenty of fiber-rich foods that bind up toxins in the gut and help promote regularity. If you're constipated, then toxins from the bowel can be reabsorbed into your system. Try legumes (especially lentils), raspberries, root vegetables, apples, pears, avocados, and almonds.


There are plenty of reasons to get more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, and the health of your liver is one of them. A recent research review found that omega-3 consumption was associated with lower liver-fat levels and higher HDL "good" cholesterol levels.* Other good sources of these healthy fats include sardines, walnuts, and flaxseed.

2. Try a form of intermittent fasting.

A nutrient-rich diet is key. But once you've mastered that, you might want to consider intermittent fasting for additional liver detox support. Research suggests that during periods of fasting, cells in the liver produce more of a protein associated with improved sugar metabolism and reduced levels of liver fat.

More research in this area is needed, but a number of experts promote intermittent fasting for a variety of reasons. "I love the power that intermittent fasting can have on the body's natural detox processes," William Cole, D.C., functional medicine expert and bestselling author of Ketotarian, told mbg. "Periods without food give our body [and liver] a chance to repair and clean itself out since it doesn't have to focus on or funnel energy to our digestive system.

“Think of this as your body's chance to leave work and catch up on some house cleaning. One of the cool self-cleaning tools utilized during fasting is something called autophagy, which literally translates to 'self-eating.' When this process is allowed to do its thing, our body's healthy cells gobble up unhealthy cells, leading to a true cellular detox."

A good introduction to intermittent fasting is the 16-hour fast, in which you confine all of your daily eating to an eight-hour window and fast for the remaining 16 hours. Try this for a week or two and see if you notice any changes in energy and mood. For more specific guidance, check out our guide to intermittent fasting meal plans and schedules.

3. Use liver-supporting supplements strategically.

Specific products that tout themselves as liver detoxes, liver cleanses, and liver flushes haven't been evaluated for safety or effectiveness. That said, there are some individual nutrients that hold promise for supporting liver health by protecting against injury from chemicals or toxins, stimulating bile production, and more. The following supplements are all generally safe, but you should still talk to a health care professional before taking one or more to ensure they don't interfere with your current medications:

Milk thistle

The most well-known herbal supplement for liver health is milk thistle, also called silymarin, which is an extract of the seeds of the flowering milk thistle plant. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and research shows that it helps stimulate the regeneration of liver cells and protect them from injury induced by substances like alcohol and acetaminophen. It's also been shown to boost glutathione levels.

Look for a milk thistle supplement that's standardized to contain 70 to 80% silymarin, and follow the suggested use instructions on the manufacturer's label (or consult with your health care provider).


Turmeric extract and curcumin have been shown to protect against liver injury in animal studies by reducing oxidative stress and promoting glutathione production.* Other research suggests it stimulates the production of bile, the fluid produced by our livers that aids in the digestion of fats within the small intestine.* Of course, more research on turmeric and liver health needs to be done on humans before any official recommendations can be made, but things look promising.

Look for a turmeric supplement that's standardized to contain 95% curcuminoids and suggested use instructions on the manufacturer's label (or consult with your health care provider).

organic veggies+

Support detox with our USDA-certified organic greens blend, featuring chlorella.*

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Algae, specifically chlorella, is a powerful chelator, which means it can bind to and remove heavy metals and other toxins that might otherwise tax your liver.* Lab studies show that chlorella can absorb 40% of the heavy metals in a test solution within seven days, while animal studies show that chlorella helps remove toxins like mercury from the body.* 

Chlorella also contains several nutrients with antioxidant properties, including vitamin C, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene.*

Consider adding a scoop of chlorella powder to your morning smoothie for a detoxifying boost.*

Activated charcoal

Like chlorella, activated charcoal can help bind to and remove toxins that are circulating in your system. However, it can also bind minerals and vitamins, so you should take it between meals and away from other supplements. Studies have not been done to determine activated charcoal's long-term safety, so consider it a short-term, targeted strategy for when you really need some extra support.

If you take other supplements in the morning, then consider taking one activated charcoal tablet between lunch and dinner.

4. Schedule a daily sweat session.


Ridding the body of the toxins is done through two major pathways. The first is by improving liver function, and the second is through sweating. "The skin is our major detoxification organ, and sweating is the best way to get the toxins out of our body," she says. Additionally, exercise boosts your body's glutathione production, which aids in detoxification.


5. Practice self-care on the regular.

Too much stress in your life can negatively affect your liver, with one research review finding that stress seems to exacerbate liver disease. Unchecked stress is also detrimental to your health in a number of other ways, contributing to digestive issues and autoimmune diseases. So it's in your best interest to adopt healthy habits that promote calm in your life.

Something as simple as an aromatherapy bath once or twice a week can do the trick. Try this detox bath recipe featuring ginger, Epsom salts, baking soda, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil—it will soothe your senses, relieve achy joints, and help you sweat out some toxins. No time for a soak session? Dry brushing or hot towel scrubbing are two more soothing and detoxifying bathroom rituals that promote calm, as well as lymphatic circulation, which helps flush toxins from the body.

Quite simply, anything that brings you joy is a form of self-care. Whether that's yoga, deep breathing, walking your dog, watching a show on Netflix, or even getting rid of a bunch of old junk in your closet (think Marie Kondo's KonMari method), it's crucial that you make the time. Here are five more daily detoxifying rituals to add to your self-care routine.

Ultimately, a liver cleanse or detox is a lifestyle change.

There's no magic bullet when it comes to a liver cleanse or detox—and anything marketed as such (ahem, a liver flush) is rightfully questioned. However, there are a number of small, research-backed ways to reduce your liver's workload and promote overall health. Incorporate some of the suggestions above (preferably under the guidance of your health care provider), and over time, your body and liver will thank you.

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