1. < Healthy Living

Can a Liver cleanse help with weight loss?

Posted by nisey22157 @nisey22157, Oct 27, 2023

I am looking to find the best solution for cleansing the liver,
(food and/or supplements). I am having trouble losing weight, no matter what I do. I am treating my leaky gut right now, with a product called unify and it is helping me, but doctor says treating the liver will help! Any suggestions if any supplements out there really work?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 27, 2023

@nisey22157 Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are patients and caregivers living with a variety of medical conditions who try to help and support one another along the way.

When you say "doctor says treating the liver will help" can you explain a little? Is this your primary provider, a specialist, a naturopath...
Have you possibly been told that you have a "fatty liver" or other liver disorder?
And when you say you struggle with losing weight, is this a new thing, or has it always been a problem for you?

All that said, the whole issue of doing a liver cleanse is controversial. The liver can heal itself over time (if not permanently damaged by scarring or cirrhosis) by avoiding all the things that make it work harder - here is a very good, easy to read article explaining:
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/liver-detox

I would like to hear what steps you have taken on your journey so far.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
nisey22157 | @nisey22157 | Oct 31, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "@nisey22157 Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are patients and caregivers living with a variety..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@nisey22157 Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are patients and caregivers living with a variety of medical conditions who try to help and support one another along the way.

When you say "doctor says treating the liver will help" can you explain a little? Is this your primary provider, a specialist, a naturopath...
Have you possibly been told that you have a "fatty liver" or other liver disorder?
And when you say you struggle with losing weight, is this a new thing, or has it always been a problem for you?

All that said, the whole issue of doing a liver cleanse is controversial. The liver can heal itself over time (if not permanently damaged by scarring or cirrhosis) by avoiding all the things that make it work harder - here is a very good, easy to read article explaining:
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/liver-detox

I would like to hear what steps you have taken on your journey so far.
Sue

Jump to this post

Hi Sue, I have been through a lot of joint/replacement surgeries! I have drug induced lupus, connective tissue disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, bulging discs and bone spurs in my spine. I will not take anything more potent than aleve, (when I remember to take it on a physical workout day)! I thought that if I could find out about some natural ways (like foods), to help with all the inflammation in my body, I would feel better.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 31, 2023
In reply to @nisey22157 "Hi Sue, I have been through a lot of joint/replacement surgeries! I have drug induced lupus,..." + (show)
@nisey22157

Hi Sue, I have been through a lot of joint/replacement surgeries! I have drug induced lupus, connective tissue disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, bulging discs and bone spurs in my spine. I will not take anything more potent than aleve, (when I remember to take it on a physical workout day)! I thought that if I could find out about some natural ways (like foods), to help with all the inflammation in my body, I would feel better.

Jump to this post

There are anti-inflammatory diets, several of which have been discussed on Connect. If you go to the Connect search box and type that, you can find your way to some of those discussions.
Also, if you have lupus, there are, I believe, some specific dietary suggestions.
Have you asked your doctor to refer you to a dietician for a consult?
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
nisey22157 | @nisey22157 | Nov 5, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "There are anti-inflammatory diets, several of which have been discussed on Connect. If you go to..." + (show)
@sueinmn

There are anti-inflammatory diets, several of which have been discussed on Connect. If you go to the Connect search box and type that, you can find your way to some of those discussions.
Also, if you have lupus, there are, I believe, some specific dietary suggestions.
Have you asked your doctor to refer you to a dietician for a consult?
Sue

Jump to this post

I have not yet talked with my doctor about any of this yet. I have to travel during the next two weeks for my mothers celebration of life and I have an appointment with her in December.

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 19, 2023

@nisey22157, I would be cautious about the claims made by companies selling liver detox products. They are not regulated by the FDA.

"Many liver detoxification products are also sold as weight loss cleanses. However, there are no clinical data to support the efficacy of these cleanses. In fact, some dietary supplements can actually cause harm to the liver by leading to drug-induced injury and should thus be used with caution."
Please read this article from Johns Hopkins:
- Detoxing Your Liver: Fact Versus Fiction https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/detoxing-your-liver-fact-versus-fiction

It sounds like you have been dealing with a lot lately, including the loss of your mom. I wish you and your family a special time together when you celebrate her life. And I also wish you a joyful journey to being healthy to celebrate you.

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