The
liver is responsible for
filtering the blood to
remove toxins and excess
hormones, and it secretes
bile, which collects the
waste products and carries
them away from the liver. If
your liver is overloaded, as
is the case for most North
Americans, you may be
suffering from low energy
levels. Supporting the liver
helps detoxify the body and
can help raise energy levels
to new heights.
Liver supportive foods
include artichokes, black
radish, beets, carrots,
spinach, sauerkraut,
tomatoes and watercress.
Make sure that you are
getting enough water-soluble
fibre in your diet, as found
in apples, oats and
supplemental inulin. They
help to eliminate bile and
toxins from the intestines.
Avoid sugar, alcohol, red
meat, trans-fatty acids and
processed foods. They are
difficult for the liver to
process. Avoid high doses of
niacin and vitamin A because
they can raise liver
enzymes.
Avoid excessive use of
alcohol, medications and
recreational drugs. Exercise
promotes liver health by
increasing circulation. It
also stimulates the bowels
to release processed toxins.
Slow bowel transit time
allows toxins to
re-circulate in the body and
forces the liver to repeat
its detoxifying activity.
Traditional Asian medicine
identifies emotions as a
contributing agent in many
disease processes. The liver
is affected by anger. Anger
reduction techniques, like
biofeedback, or activities,
such as yoga, can improve
liver functioning.
Sometimes the liver’s
pathways are not working up
to speed or become blocked.
The back up of waste
material makes it harder for
the rest of the body to
function normally and
ultimately leads to disease.
Since the environment in
which we live makes it
impossible for us to
maintain a pristine
lifestyle, regular liver
cleansing is essential.
Liver detoxification
involves dietary,
supplemental and physical
interventions. For more
information see the article
on detoxification.
HOW CAN I NATURALLY
DETOXIFY?
The liver processes the
majority of toxins in the
body. It excretes most of
the processed toxins through
the bile and into the
intestine. Most medications
are also processed in the
liver. If you are on
prescription medication
consult your health
professional before
cleansing the liver.
Detoxification involves
dietary, supplemental and
physical interventions. It
usually focuses on one or
more of the main organs of
detoxification, the liver,
kidneys, bowels, lungs or
skin.
Your body needs a variety of
vitamins, minerals, and
other molecules so that it
can process and excrete
toxins. It is important for
you to help your body by
giving it a variety of fresh
and nutritious foods. These
suggestions are intended as
a guide. Do not consume any
food that you are sensitive
to even if it is listed
here.
Try to Avoid: packaged or
fast foods, coffee, black
tea, chocolate, alcohol,
white sugar, salt,
condiments, tobacco, dairy
products, fried food,
preservatives or artificial
sweeteners
Try to Consume: 2L of
filtered water daily, herbal
teas and 100% pure fruit
juices. Eat fresh or steamed
fruits and vegetables, whole
grains, lean meats, fish,
soy products, nuts, seeds,
cold pressed vegetable oils
and spices. Drink a glass of
warm water with the juice of
half a lemon each morning.
This simple act will
regulate bowel and liver
function
Exercise Regularly: Moderate
physical exercise increases
circulation and helps the
body to eliminate toxins.
Reduce your stress level
because stress is an
additional burden on the
organs of detoxification.
Brush your skin daily
(towards the heart) with a
natural fibre brush. This
stimulates the immune system
and increases circulation.
At the end of your shower
alternate several rounds of
hot and cold water (30
second to 1 minute
intervals) always ending
with cold. This hydrotherapy
treatment increases the
immune system and aids in
detoxification. Sauna
treatments will also
increase the effectiveness
of detoxification but make
sure to increase your fluid
intake to avoid dehydration
*Milk thistle is a very safe
herb but it does have
detoxifying properties.
Individuals with serious
liver disease or high levels
of toxic compounds in their
body should use milk thistle
under the guidance of a
health professional.
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