Diet and Nutrition

Diet to `detox liver`

12/07/2000

Question:

I have curently began a diet to detoxify my liver. It is a six week process where in my first week I can eat only fruit and drink only water. In my second week I can introduce vegetables and gradually as the weeks go by I can eat more and more. Is this healthy?

Answer:

Before starting any type of diet it is very wise to ask the question "is this healthy, safe, and reasonable?" In order to answer your question thoroughly, however, it would be helpful to know why you think that your liver needs to be detoxified in the first place. The liver is the organ in our body that protects us from harmful substances. It has a key role in detoxifying things such as drugs (including alcohol) and other toxins. It also helps remove ammonia along with many other protective duties. If the liver is not functioning properly (such as in liver disease), there are medical tests available to evaluate its detoxification and elimination abilities. With that said, let's turn to your diet question.
When determining whether or not to follow this "Detox Diet" or any other, consider the following signs of a questionable diet method: (1) the promise of quick, easy results, (2) costly to use, (3) severely limits or restrict food choices, (4) restricts or eliminates one or more major nutrient or food groups, (5) inadequate in vitamins and minerals, (6) does not include exercise, (7) cites testimonials instead of valid scientific research, (8) doesn't recommend variety and moderation, (9) is only to be used for a set period of time, and (10) sounds too good to be true. The "detox liver" diet that you have described includes many of these warning signs (especially #3, 4, 5, 8, and 9).
As said in #4, a diet that excludes entire food groups is not a well balanced diet and will lack important nutrients that your body needs. Eating fruit for an entire week will not only deprive you of many nutrients, but may cause gastrointestinal upsets (gas, diarrhea). Fruits and vegetables are important to include in your DAILY diet, but don't forget to include grains, dairy, and protein foods (meat, fish, poultry, dried beans, soy products) as well. Even heart-healthy fats should be included daily, in moderation. Use the "Food Guide Pyramid" as your guide for good eating and health. My advice? First, make sure that your liver is healthy by visiting your doctor for an evaluation. Then, follow your doctor's advice. Also, for overall health, make sure that you change any poor eating habits into good ones that you can live with for a lifetime. A Registered Dietitian (RD) can help you out with this. The RD will give you an individualized nutrition assessment and personalized diet to fit your lifestyle and health needs. To find a RD in your area, see the reference listed below.

Related Resources:

American Dietetic Association
Food Guide Pyramid

For more information:

Go to the Diet and Nutrition health topic, where you can:

Read articles on this topic
Browse the previously asked questions
Ask your own question.

Response by:

Jane Korsberg, MS, RD, LD
Senior Instructor
Department of Nutrition
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University