Omega-3 Supplements: A Help to Cleanse the Liver

A diet rich in Omega 3, fruits and vegetables is ideal for detoxifying the liver and helping it stay healthy. Foods rich in Omega-3, together with fruits and vegetables, form the basis of the best diet to detoxify the liver. Benefitting from a diet rich in these foods is not just this organ, but the entire body, and as if that were not enough, a detox diet can also help to lose a few extra pounds.

Omega-3, essential fats for health

Omega-3s are considered essential fatty acids. This definition comes from the fact that the body cannot synthesize them even though it absolutely needs them for survival. In particular, the cells of our body need a specific Omega-3, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), to synthesize another, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Both EPA and DHA are indispensable for maintaining health. They are molecules with marked anti-inflammatory action and capable of reducing the amounts of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) present in the blood. Their properties help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and arthritis. In particular, both the anti-inflammatory action and the ability to reduce triglycerides and LDL cholesterol protect the cells of the liver from tumors that could affect it.

Dietary sources of Omega-3

EPA and DHA are the two Omega-3s most efficiently used by the body and to increase their intake it is possible to enrich one’s diet with fatty fish such as mackerel, sardines, herring, and tuna, which is the main dietary source of these nutrients. However, there is also another Omega-3 from which EPA and then DHA can be obtained. This is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a molecule more abundant in plant-based foods, primarily walnuts. Several studies have shown that dietary sources of ALA also help protect health. Unfortunately, the human body’s ability to convert this Omega-3 into EPA is limited. Therefore, the best sources of Omega-3 seem to be foods inherently rich in EPA and DHA.

The diet to detoxify the liver

Precisely because they are far from harmful to health, Omega-3s are ideal for a detox diet that, besides helping with weight loss, helps eliminate the feeling of heaviness and waste products. From this perspective, one of the fundamental steps is to act on the liver, an organ that performs several functions. These include essential activities for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, the production of bile necessary for digestion, the storage function for various substances, and detoxification from toxins, waste, and other harmful molecules for the body. Helping the liver to detoxify is therefore essential to maintain good health. Therefore, abundant consumption of foods rich in Omega-3 is recommended, preferred over butter, meat, and other animal-based foods containing large amounts of saturated fats that instead strain the liver. Besides exerting a direct protective action on this organ, these nutrients promote the absorption of vitamins A and E, which are essential to avoid liver fatigue. By combining the consumption of Omega-3 with that of fruits and vegetables, essential for a detoxifying action, it is possible to help the liver stay in shape. Hence, plenty of fatty fish, walnuts, draining celery and fennel, and seasonal fruits and vegetables.