How Does Olive Oil Support Liver Cleansing?

Over 30 million people in the United States live with a liver-related health concern.^[1] Typical Western diets filled with toxins like sugar and alcohol certainly don’t help. In fact, severe liver conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are on the rise in the United States.^[2] If your liver health isn’t where you want it to be, then you should know all the resources you have at your disposal.

Toxins and chemicals are the root cause of almost any serious health concern, and your liver is no different. Liver cleansing, when done correctly, can help flush the liver of accumulated bile, toxins, and chemicals. Additionally, relieving your liver of harmful organisms will help you maintain a healthy body and mind. While there are different variations of organic liver cleansing regimens, nearly all take advantage of one key component—olive oil.

How Your Liver Works

Your liver plays a central role in detoxifying your body by keeping your blood clean and free of damaging chemicals and toxins. The primary duty your liver performs is filtering the blood that comes from your digestive tract. From the liver, blood flows to the rest of your body. Your liver also metabolizes alcohol and prescription drugs. As your liver performs these critical functions, it produces and releases bile to aid in digestion. When your liver is healthy it releases and safely passes the bile from the body on a regular basis.

Benefits of a Liver Cleanse

The main advantage of performing a liver cleanse is getting rid of the excess bile that builds up over time. Your liver health often depends on your diet and lifestyle. If you eat clean, non-GMO foods and live a healthy lifestyle, then your liver will show it. If you live a mainly sedentary lifestyle and consume fatty, unhealthy, or toxic foods, then your liver may be overworked and bogged down.

People with bad diets and exercise habits will experience the greatest benefit from doing a liver cleanse. Whether you use the Global Healing Center Liver Cleanse Kit™ or you try another all-natural liver cleanse approach, detoxifying your liver often can help you feel more energetic and mentally clear. Some people even feel lighter and slimmer following the cleanse.

How Olive Oil Cleanses Your Liver

Olive oil has many health benefits, and it is one of the best all-natural solutions available for cleansing the liver. The theory is that drinking large amounts of olive oil sends signals to the liver to open the bile ducts. As these bile ducts open up to process the excess quantities of oil, anything that was previously stuck can more easily flow out. Most of what comes out of the liver during this process is bile, but some people see liver and gallbladder stones released from their body.

What Is the Best Olive Oil for Liver Cleansing?

While there are many healthy oils out there with great nutritional benefits, stick with olive oil for natural liver cleanses. People have tried to substitute with coconut oil, but olive oil remains the most beneficial oil for liver cleansing because of how predictably it works.

When choosing an olive oil to use for a cleanse it is important to select something that is minimally processed. Look for extra virgin olive oil that comes from fresh olives and does not use heat or chemicals to produce the oil. Freshness is important when choosing the best olive oil. Even under the right storage conditions, olive oil can degrade and lose nutritional benefits the longer it sits. Avoid olive oil that is more than two years old. Instead, choose the freshest olive oil you can find.

How to Cleanse Your Liver Using Olive Oil

Aside from olive oil, the most important thing you’ll need for a liver cleanse is Epsom salts. Epsom salts work synergistically with olive oil to relax the liver’s bile ducts and remove toxins from the body. While the complete recommendations can be found with our Liver Cleansing Kit instructions, here is a basic rundown of everything you need to know before your cleanse.

Cleansing Prep

Prepare by eating malic acid and sulfurous foods for several days before beginning the the liver cleanse. Malic acid is an organic compound that is responsible for the pleasantly sour taste of many fruits and drinks like apples or apple cider vinegar. For best results, try eating an apple or drinking apple cider vinegar several times a day leading up to cleanse day. The sulfurous foods could be any whole natural food with sulfur compounds, but you should stick to organic fruits and vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage for the cleanse. These organic fruits and veggies should be the mainstay of your diet up to four days before cleansing your liver.

Day of the Cleanse

On the day of the liver cleanse, eat only fruits and veggies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A few hours before you go to sleep—try for around 7 p.m.—it will be time for the Epsom salts. Mix one tablespoon of Epsom salt with eight ounces of distilled water and drink. Be aware that loose or liquid stools may happen around 20-30 minutes after drinking the mixture. Immediately before bed—try for around 10 pm—drink six ounces of the extra virgin olive oil and immediately lie in bed on your right side for 30 minutes. After that, you can go to sleep like normal. The next day you should pass the bile and may even see liver stones in your bowel movements.

After the Cleanse

After the cleanse, there are still many things you can do to promote a healthy liver. Diet and exercise are essential to any healthy lifestyle. Consume healthy foods and herbs to help sustain a healthy liver. Perform a liver cleanse up to three times a year to get the maximum benefit. If needed, liver cleanses can even be done back to back with a few days off in-between.

Tips and Tricks for Liver Cleansing With Olive Oil

For many people, drinking six ounces of olive oil at once can be difficult. Try refrigerating the oil first, then mix it with grapefruit or orange juice. Be sure to shake and mix thoroughly before you drink it. Likewise, drinking the Epson salt mixture is not easy for everyone. For the day of the cleanse, make sure you have time set aside to stay at home and go to the bathroom as needed. Many people like to prepare their bathroom with a good book and essential oil diffuser to improve their experience.

Additional Health Benefits of Olive Oil

While olive oil is great for kickstarting a liver cleanse, there are many other additional health benefits of olive oil. It contains healthy monounsaturated fats, which is one of the main reasons the Mediterranean diet is effective at reducing risk factors for stroke and heart disease.^[3] Olive oil can also help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides levels.^[4] Extra virgin olive oil is also an excellent source of antioxidants and phenols that promote healthy cells and longevity.^[5]

Dr. Group’s Liver Cleanse Recommendations

While Epsom salts and olive oil are the basis of any good liver cleanse, there are ways to help increase the effectiveness of your liver cleanse routine. Global Healing Center has developed several all-natural herbal formulas, including Livatrex®, which promote a healthy liver. To help you get started with taking control of your liver health, we created the Liver Cleanse Kit™. This Health Kit includes step-by-step instructions to walk you through the cleanse. The Liver Cleanse Kit has a multi-tiered approach that uses the power of Livatrex to kick start your liver’s natural cleansing abilities and Oxy-Powder to facilitate toxin removal.

Have you used olive oil to help cleanse your liver? Tell us about it in the comment section below.

References (5)

1. “Liver Disease – The Big Picture.” American Liver Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2017.


2. Machado, Mariana Verdelho, and Helena Cortez-Pinto. “Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: What the Clinician Needs to Know.” World Journal of Gastroenterology . 2014): 12956–12980.


3. Willett, W.C. “The Mediterranean diet: science and practice.” Public Health Nutr. (2006): 105-110.


4. Baggio, G., Pagnan, A., Muraca, M., et al. “Olive-oil-enriched diet: effect on serum lipoprotein levels and biliary cholesterol saturation.” Am J Clin Nutr. (1988): 960-964.


5. Wiseman, S.A., Mathot, J.N., De fouw N.J., Tijburg L.B. “Dietary non-tocopherol antioxidants present in extra virgin olive oil increase the resistance of low density lipoproteins to oxidation in rabbits.” Atherosclerosis. (1996): 15-23.

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14 Foods That Cleanse the Liver

Modern society is a sad state that produces many over-processed livers. When we overeat or eat processed or fried foods, or anytime we are exposed to environmental pollutants or stress, the liver becomes overworked and overloaded. When the liver is taxed, it can’t process toxins and fat in an efficient way. There are many foods that can help cleanse the liver naturally by stimulating its natural ability to expel toxic waste from the body.

In the past, I have discussed my favorite cleansing foods. The list in this article is a little more specific and focuses mainly on foods that can help cleanse your liver. All it takes is a few simple steps to promote normal liver health. In addition to taking a liver cleansing supplement, and performing at least two liver and gallbladder cleanses per year, eating the following foods is the best way to keep your liver healthy and functioning. I encourage you to incorporate these liver cleanse foods into your diet.

1. Garlic

Just a small amount of this pungent white bulb has the ability to activate liver enzymes that help your body flush out toxins.^[1] Garlic also holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing.

2. Grapefruit

High in both vitamin C and antioxidants, citrus fruits like grapefruit, oranges, limes, and lemons support the natural cleansing abilities of the liver.^[2] Have a small glass of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice to boost production of the liver detoxification enzymes that help flush out carcinogens and other toxins.

3. Beets and Carrots

Both are extremely high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene; eating beets and carrots can stimulate and support overall liver function.^[3]

4. Green Tea

This liver-loving beverage is full of plant-based antioxidants known as catechins—compounds known to assist liver function.^[4] Green tea is a delicious, healthy addition to any diet. Just remember that green tea offers the benefits, not green tea extract. Some research suggests green tea extract may actually have a negative effect on liver health.^[5] Keep it simple and stick to the beverage to enjoy the benefits of green tea.

5. Leafy Green Vegetables

One of our most powerful allies in cleansing the liver, leafy greens can be eaten raw, cooked, or juiced. Extremely high in chlorophyll, greens soak up environmental toxins from the blood stream.^[6] With their distinct ability to neutralize heavy metals, chemicals, and pesticides, these cleansing foods offer a powerful protective mechanism for the liver.

Incorporate leafy greens such as bitter gourd, arugula, dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens, and chicory into your diet. This will increase creation and flow of bile—the substance that removes waste from the organs and blood.

6. Avocados

This nutrient-dense superfood helps the body produce glutathione, a compound that is necessary for the liver to cleanse harmful toxins.^[7]

7. Apples

High in pectin, apples hold the chemical constituents necessary for the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. This, in turn, makes it easier for the liver to handle the toxic load during the cleansing process.^[2, 8]

8. Olive Oil

Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp, and flaxseed are great for the liver when used in moderation. They help the body by providing a lipid base that can absorb harmful toxins in the body.^[9] In this way, they take some of the burden off the liver.

9. Alternative Grains

If your diet includes wheat, flour, or other standard grains, it’s time to make changes. And alternative grains like quinoa, millet, and buckwheat can help. Your liver is your body’s filter for toxins, and if you have certain sensitivities, grains that contain gluten only add to them. One study found that persons who experienced sensitivity to gluten also experienced abnormal liver enzyme test results.^[10]

10. Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli and cauliflower are good sources of glucosinolate, which supports enzyme production in the liver. These natural enzymes flush carcinogens and other toxins from the body, and may significantly lower risks associated with cancer.^[2]

11. Lemons and Limes

These citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which aids the body in synthesizing toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water. Drinking freshly-squeezed lemon or lime juice in the morning can stimulate the liver.^[2]

12. Walnuts

High in the amino acid arginine, walnuts support the liver in detoxifying ammonia. ^[11] Walnuts are also high in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids,^[12] which support normal liver cleansing.^[13, 14] Make sure you chew the nuts until they are liquefied before swallowing.

13. Cabbage

Much like broccoli and cauliflower, eating cabbage stimulates liver detoxifying enzymes that help flush out toxins. Kimchi, coleslaw, cabbage soup, and sauerkraut are great cabbage-foods to add to your diet.^[2]

14. Turmeric

Turmeric is the liver’s favorite spice. Try adding some of this detoxifying goodness into your next lentil stew or veggie dish for an instant liver pick-me-up. Turmeric helps boost liver detoxification by assisting enzymes that actively flush out dietary toxins.^[1]

This golden spice tastes great in all kinds of dishes, but you can further boost your intake with a turmeric supplement. A word of warning; turmeric supplements are somewhat notorious for low-quality ingredients and even outright dangerous contamination.^[15] Only buy the highest quality turmeric from the most reputable sources. I encourage you to try Global Healing Center’s own Turmeric supplement. This premium liquid supplement contains potent antioxidants and is sourced only from organic Curcuma longa root.

Tips For Doing a Liver Cleanse

Other liver cleanse foods not listed above include artichoke, asparagus, kale, and Brussels sprouts. Eating the foods listed above is a great way to help keep your liver functioning properly. However, for best results, I recommend performing a liver cleanse. Performing a liver cleanse at least twice a year will eliminate any foreign substances that may be trapped in your liver.

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10 Low-Cost, Easy Ways To Cleanse Your Liver

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Cleansing your liver is truly one of the keys to staying youthful into your old age. When your body is detoxified, your cells can maintain all the functions in the body they must perform.

When you think about it, it’s pretty amazing how your cells can literally keep working for 90, 100 or even 110 years. All you have to do is give them what they need (nutrients) and keep the toxins out of the cells.

You’ve probably already heard about the concept of cleansing your liver. Here are some basic facts, just for a few quick reminders:

• If you’re constipated, it makes no sense to start cleansing your liver. Your liver is an internal organ with no route to the outside. Thus, if your colon is clogged, a backup of the toxins will occur. Trying to cleanse the liver at this time will only create detox symptoms such as headaches, skin bumps and acne, fatigue, muscle aches and pains, and the feeling that you aren’t well.


• Drink more water when you are cleansing any organ. Ultimately, you want one ounce of water for every pound of body weight when you are seriously detoxifying your body. However, drinking one ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight is acceptable.


• You can continue your vitamin and mineral routine while you are cleansing your liver.


• Cleanse your liver for six weeks, six days a week and one day off. This gives your body the idea that it must detoxify itself without your help on the seventh day.

Now let’s examine 10 different ways you can detoxify your liver.

1. Drink a cup of milk thistle tea twice daily. Use 1 teaspoon of the herb in 1 cup of boiling water.

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2. Drink a cup of chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) tea twice daily. Make a decoction of this tea with 2 tablespoons of the herb added to 2 quarts of distilled water in a pot. Cover the pot, and simmer on very low heat. Allow the tea to reduce to 1 quart or half the initial volume. Then drink one cup, twice daily.

3. Sit in an infrared sauna for 25 to 35 minutes daily for 30 days. This will force toxins and heavy metals out through your skin, which then allows your liver to detoxify itself better.

4. Change the water you drink to distilled water, including in your cooking. Distilled water is devoid of minerals. Minerals need to be detoxified by the kidneys, and drinking distilled water saves your body a step of detoxification. Meanwhile, it’s pulling toxins to itself, which takes the strain off the liver. Thus, the liver can then do a better job.

5. Use an herbal liver cleanse formula. Follow the instructions on the label, and continue it for six full weeks.

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6. Eat organic fruits and vegetables. You might think that this is too expensive to do, but there is a trick to it if you can’t go 100 percent organic. Visit the Environmental Working Group website at EWG.org and search for the Dirty Dozen. This is a list of 12 of the fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides and chemicals. These 12 must be organic in your diet.

Next, look up the Clean Fifteen list. This is a list of 15 different fruits and vegetables that are pretty clean of pesticides and chemicals. Purchase these in their non-organic form if you can’t afford the organic versions.

The reason why these help your liver cleanse itself is because fruits and vegetables contain hundreds of phytonutrients that do all the liver cleansing work for you. It’s an automatic process.

In fact, in one study, children who were found to have high levels of pesticides in their blood were given organic fruits and vegetables for three days. When re-tested, the pesticides were no longer found in their blood.

7. Begin juicing. Most vegetable and fruit juices will begin an automatic detoxification of the entire body, including the liver. Your goal is 10 ounces, minimum, per day.

8. Eliminate all high fructose beverages from your diet. The high fructose overwhelms the liver and then contributes to the creation of fatty liver. But if you eliminate them all, your liver starts detoxifying and repairing itself.

9. Make vegetable juice. Try carrot-apple-beet juice (4 carrots, 1 apple, ½ beet). Sip slowly over a few hours.

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10. Eat salads made of the cruciferous vegetables. These veggies – cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts – are specific in how they act in the body and go straight for the liver to aid its detoxification. Three times a week is enough for this method.

You can do several of the “lesser methods” on the list simultaneously and not have to worry about overwhelming your liver. Or you can do the most effective liver cleanse, which is an herbal formula specifically designed to cleanse your liver.

Here are a couple of examples of what you could do daily to continually cleanse your liver:

Method 1: Fresh juice, 10 ounces + distilled water + milk thistle/chanca piedra tea

Method 2: Infrared sauna, carrot-apple-beet juice (8 ounces), organic veggies and fruits, salad of cruciferous veggies three times a week

Do a liver cleanse bout three times a year for best results. You will see a big difference in how you look, act, smell and feel!

*This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or cure any particular health condition. Please consult with a qualified health professional first.

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