Liver & Kidney Detox: 3 Effective Tips & Safety Precautions 2023

Marina Somma, BS, BA
Dr. Kimberly Langdon, MD
Discover effective liver and kidney detox methods for better health. Learn essential tips to support organ function.
liver and kidney detox
upport your health with these liver and kidney detox tips. Photo: Shutterstock & Design Team

In today’s world, we can’t help but inadvertently expose our bodies to toxins, chemicals, and pollutants. Your liver and kidneys detoxify your body, filtering these harmful substances and keeping you healthy. Thankfully, you can take measures to protect and nurture your liver and kidneys.

By making a few simple changes to your lifestyle, you can give your liver and kidneys the care they deserve. Start by incorporating beneficial foods, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption and prioritize a balanced and nutritious diet.

Remember, even small changes can make a big difference in improving your health — But how long does it take to detox your body? Every person is different! However, you can speed up your body’s natural processes by using these tried and true methods!

Liver And Kidney Detox: How Can I Detox My Liver And Kidney?

To support the natural detoxification process, you can incorporate some simple adjustments to your lifestyle.

  1. Start by including foods that are beneficial for these organs, such as leafy greens.
  2. You should also stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
  3. You can also engage in exercise to promote circulation and sweat out toxins.
  4. Finally, avoid excessive alcohol consumption and take medications and supplements only as recommended by your doctor.

Remember, small changes can make a big difference in detoxifying your body!

Ways To Detox Liver And Kidneys

If you want to learn how to detox your body or how to detox your body of alcohol, your liver and kidneys are a good place to start. These vital organs are your body’s primary method of detoxification. There are several effective techniques to cleanse your liver and kidneys.

You can encounter toxins in many different places in your environment, including your work environment or commute, the food you eat, and more. That’s why limiting contact with toxins where you can is imperative to aid the detox of your liver and kidneys. A good starting place would be to utilize organic options[1] to reduce exposure to potential pesticides.

You can also limit your alcohol and tobacco intake to reduce the toxins your body is filtering. If you’ve consumed alcohol or other potential toxins, you might wonder how long does it take to detox your body from alcohol? Unfortunately, that will vary from one person to the next. The time it takes to detox your body from alcohol depends on a variety of factors, including:

  • Your age.
  • Overall health and well-being.
  • The amount and frequency of alcohol consumption.
  • Underlying medical conditions. 

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Drink Herbal Teas

Incorporating herbal teas such as dandelion root, nettle, or green tea into your meal plan is a great way to support liver and kidney function. These herbal teas contain natural compounds[2] that have been traditionally used to promote the health and function of these vital organs.

Eat More Fresh, Organic Fruits & Vegetables

Recent research suggests that a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables[3] can promote a healthy urinary tract and help support kidney and liver function. These foods are rich in antioxidants and micronutrients that are beneficial to your body as well. 

Some good options include:

  • Spinach.
  • Kale.
  • Blueberries.
  • Brussels sprouts.
  • Cauliflower.
  • Kiwi.
  • Bell peppers.
  • Carrots.
  • Pomegranate.
  • Tomatoes.
  • Asparagus 
  • Prunes.

However, it’s important to discuss any changes to your diet with your doctor. If you have any other medical conditions, such as kidney stones or urinary tract infections, certain foods could potentially worsen those conditions or interact with medications. 

Eat Kidney-Friendly Foods

To support liver and kidney health, you should utilize a balanced, healthy diet[4] containing organic foods with limited added sodium. 

The Food and Drug Administration recommends that you consume less than 2,300 mg of salt per day. By limiting salt intake, you can maintain healthy blood pressure and reduce the amount of work your kidneys perform. You can also reduce the risk of kidney stones and future kidney stone formation by reducing sodium intake. Avoiding pre-packaged foods or frozen dinners and cooking food yourself can help you reduce sodium intake. 

You should also limit the volume of protein in your diet. The body produces waste as it processes protein, so limiting your intake of proteins and eating smaller portions can help reduce the strain on your kidneys. 

Finally, reducing your consumption of trans fats and saturated fats can keep your kidneys and heart from developing fat deposits. This can also help you lose weight and avoid nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. You can reduce trans fats and saturated fats by avoiding fried foods and utilizing lean cuts of meat. 

Tips To Detox Your Kidney And Liver 

liver and kidney detox
Exercise helps liver and kidney detox. Photo: Shutterstock

​​Your body naturally filters toxins from your system, but you can make adjustments to your lifestyle to reduce the strain on your kidneys and liver and help the detoxification process move at a more efficient rate.

Fortunately, you can make these adjustments relatively easily. These changes also provide additional overall health benefits. 

Sweat It Out

When you sweat, your body excretes toxins[5] in the process. Increasing the amount of daily exercise you perform, particularly high-intensity exercises that result in sweating, can help your body detoxify more rapidly. You can also utilize a sauna to encourage sweating and expel toxins from your body, though research suggests that exercise provides a more effective method to remove toxins. 

Exercise also helps you maintain healthy body weight and avoid obesity, a core cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Stay Hydrated

It’s no secret that your body functions better when fully hydrated. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine[6] recommends consuming between 11 – 15 cups of water throughout the day. Drinking plenty of water is an effective way to support kidney function[7] and avoid or flush out kidney stones. 

Another benefit to drinking lots of water is that your body has to excrete that water eventually in the form of urine (or sweat). Just like when you sweat, your body expels toxins when you urinate, eliminating them from the body.  

Reduce Or Stop Alcohol And Tobacco Intake

Liver cleanses can only do so much. When it comes to your exposure to toxins, but it’s important to take charge of the toxins you can control. While you might not be able to avoid pollutants or other environmental chemicals, you can stop or reduce the amount of tobacco and alcohol you consume. 

When you smoke or drink alcohol, your liver and kidneys have to work overtime to filter out those toxins. Alcohol also increases your risk of developing kidney stones or liver damage. Reducing your alcohol intake can also potentially help you lose weight. 

Kidney And Liver Detox: Safety Precautions

You can take measures to protect your liver and kidneys from damage and facilitate healthy liver and kidney function. However, if you experience kidney or liver disease or dysfunction, it could indicate a more serious cause for concern. 

If you are looking to detox your liver or kidneys due to medical concerns, such as liver disease, liver damage, or kidney stones, here are a few important safety considerations:

Consult With A Healthcare Professional

If you have a medical condition that requires kidney or liver detoxification, it’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider to develop a plan for your safety. You should also consult a medical professional if you believe you have kidney or liver disease, kidney stones, or other medical complications. 

A medical professional can help ensure that dietary changes and supplements do not aggravate any preexisting conditions or interact with any medications you might be taking.

Conclusion

We are exposed to unavoidable toxins on a daily basis. Your kidneys and liver provide crucial detoxification for your body. Keeping these organs healthy and functioning is paramount. By taking the above steps, a kidney and liver cleanse can help provide the best working conditions for your liver and kidneys to work efficiently.

You can facilitate liver and kidney support by limiting exposure to toxins, exercising regularly, staying properly hydrated, and eating a balanced diet appropriate for kidney and liver function. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a liver and kidney detox?

Liver and kidney detoxification refers to supporting the natural functions of these organs to eliminate toxins and waste products from the body, promoting their optimal health.

Can detoxification cure kidney or liver disease?

Detoxification alone cannot cure liver or kidney diseases, but you can take certain measures to help support their function and overall well-being.

Can liver and kidney detox help with weight loss?

Detoxification alone is not a weight loss solution. However, a healthy lifestyle that includes detox-supportive habits can contribute to weight management.

Is it necessary to take detox supplements for liver and kidney health?

While you should take any medications as directed by your healthcare provider, a well-balanced diet rich in nutrients can support liver and kidney health without the need for over-the-counter liver cleanses or dietary supplements like milk thistle.

Are there any risks associated with liver and kidney detoxification?

Yes, detox methods that are too extreme or not well-balanced can lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health issues. You should always consult with a healthcare professional prior to making lifestyle or diet adjustments.

Resources

  1. Vigar, V., Myers, S.P., Oliver, C.J., Arellano, J.M., Robinson, S. and Leifert, C. (2019). A Systematic Review of Organic Versus Conventional Food Consumption: Is There a Measurable Benefit on Human Health? Nutrients, [online] 12(1), pp.7–7. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010007.
  2. Hassen, G., Belete, G., Carrera, K.G., Iriowen, R.O., Araya, H., Alemu, T., Solomon, N., Bam, D.S., Nicola, S.M., Araya, M.E., Tadesse Debele, Michlene Zouetr and Jain, N. (2022). Clinical Implications of Herbal Supplements in Conventional Medical Practice: A US Perspective. Cureus. [online] doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.26893.
  3. Cases, A., Secundino Cigarran-Guldris, Mas, S. and González-Parra, E. (2019). Vegetable-Based Diets for Chronic Kidney Disease? It Is Time to Reconsider. Nutrients, [online] 11(6), pp.1263–1263. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11061263.
  4. and, D. (2023). Eating Right for Chronic Kidney Disease. [online] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/eating-nutrition.
  5. Kuan, W.-H., Chen, Y.-L. and Liu, C.-L. (2022). Excretion of Ni, Pb, Cu, As, and Hg in Sweat under Two Sweating Conditions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, [online] 19(7), pp.4323–4323. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074323.
  6. Berg, C. (2022). It’s hot out there. Drink plenty of water to stay healthy. [online] AZ Dept. of Health Services Director’s Blog. Available at: https://directorsblog.health.azdhs.gov/its-hot-out-there-drink-plenty-of-water-to-stay-healthy/.
  7. Jong Ah Lo, Jin Sun Kim, Min Jee Jo, Eun Jung Cho, Shin Young Ahn, Gang Jee Ko, Young Joo Kwon and Ji Eun Kim (2021). Impact of water consumption on renal function in the general population: a cross-sectional analysis of KNHANES data (2008–2017). Clinical and Experimental Nephrology, [online] 25(4), pp.376–384. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10157-020-01997-3.

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