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Liver Cleanse


A liver cleanse should be a natural protocol designed to detoxify, flush out and eliminate the liver of fatty deposits, built up toxins, and accumulated stones. Most liver cleanse programs also include a gallbladder cleanse which helps eliminate the gallbladder of gallstones. Liver stones are formed when excess cholesterol crystallises into small pebble size stones.

A liver cleanse usually involves eating a healthy organic diet and drinking a organic herbal formula (e.g. High Mountain Green Tea) that are specific to stimulate the liver and to soften any stones which the body can eliminate.

Day 1 and each day of your Liver Cleanse

Water

Prepare at least 10 glasses of pure filtered water for each day. Water is an excellent detoxifier and will flush the liver of toxins. Drinking water will keep you hydrated, which naturally encourages cell regeneration. It will also allow the liver to filter out more toxins and residue, letting it work faster and increasing your energy level.

Anti-nutrients

Minimize alcohol and caffeine intake. Alcohol and caffeine are two of the biggest culprits that deposit toxins in your liver and keep it from functioning properly. Cleanse your liver by reducing your intake of alcohol and caffeinated beverages. Replace these beverages with non-alcoholic beverages to allow your liver to regenerate, flush itself clean and function properly.

Natural Lemon

Drink lemon juice in water or tea once a day. Lemon juice stimulates the liver’s bile production to help flush out toxins. It also prevents the build-up of gallstones and promotes digestion and liver function in the movement of gastric juices.

Green Tea

Green tea is a powerful health forming drink, it is rich in catechins, a type of plant antioxidant that boosts liver function and helps reduce fat storage in the liver.

Natural Fruit Smoothies.

Fruits like strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries all enhance the health of the liver. These fruits have organic acids that lower sugar blood levels, and will help you to burn fat, decreasing your chances of fatty liver diseases.

Life Giving Vegetables

Certain vegetables contain nutrients like beta carotene that stimulate liver cells and protect the liver from toxins. Dark, leafy greens like spinach encourage cell growth and stimulate the liver, while beets protect bile ducts in the liver from toxin damage. Aim for 6 to 7 servings of vegetables daily and include those that contain liver-aiding nutrients. Greens that promote liver health include dandelion greens, bitter gourd, arugula, mustard greens, chicory and spinach.

Garlic

Garlic has sulfur-containing compounds that activate liver enzymes that work to flush out any toxins that might be in your system. Garlic also contains allicin and selenium, two nutrients that protect the liver from damages caused by toxins. These two nutrients also aid in the detoxification process. Don’t like the taste of garlic or want to protect your friends and family! Purchase garlic supplements at your local health store.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, both of which promote a healthy liver cleanse. Grapefruit boosts detoxification enzymes in the liver and has a flavonoid compound known as naringenin which causes the liver to burn fat rather than store it.

Avocados

Avocados are not only delicious., they are rich in glutathione producing compounds. These compounds help to prevent the liver from toxic overload. Try to eat avocados twice a week.

Walnuts

Walnuts have high levels of l-arginine (an amino acid) glutathione, and omega-3 fatty acids which help to cleanse the liver of disease-causing ammonia. Extracts of their shells are used in many liver-cleansing formulas.

Magnesium

Magnesium promotes bile production, which in turn promotes the cleansing of the liver. You can take magnesium supplements to increase your liver health. Another way to get your magnesium is by dissolving a tablespoon of Epsom salt in warm water and drinking this mixture once or twice a month. Epsom salt contains a high amount of magnesium.

Turmeric

Turmeric boosts the liver’s ability to produce bile, it should be added to your diet to form a key part of the liver-cleansing process. It has also been known to help regenerate damaged liver cells.

What to Avoid

Leave out the Ice“: Stop using ice because our bodies need to “cook” the food before we can absorb and metabolism it. Cold ice actually slows down optimal metabolism and inhibits the absorption of optimum nutrients.

Avoid processed foods that can damage to your liver. Foods that are processed and contain lots of preservatives, fats and cholesterol can cause the liver to become congested and clogged with fat residue. Clean out your liver by avoiding processed or fatty foods to allow the liver to unblock itself and regenerate cells.

Avoid fast food. In particular, try to avoid deep fried food or preserved meat (such as sausage, bacon, corned beef, etc.)

Avoid bad fats. Fatty red meat, deep fried food, and processed fats should all be avoided, as they can clog up your liver. Processed fats include margarine, shortening, and hydrogenated oils.

Avoid artificial sweeteners, colourings, and preservatives. It is best to go the natural route when cleansing your liver.

De-Stress

Stressful situations release hormones and endorphins in the bloodstream, which, in turn, deposit toxins in the liver and slow it down. Eliminate stress in any areas of your life that you can. Consider anti-stress activities like yoga and meditation.

Exercise

Exercise helps you maintain a healthy body weight, which in turn lowers your risk of fatty liver disease. Exercise also improves the function of liver enzymes.

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James O'Sullivan - that's me, a people friendly practitioner and lecturer of Integrated Medicine, serving my patients, my students and the public with the positive benefits of both Conventional Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It's a wonderful life
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to diagnose or assess. The information provided is not to be considered a substitute for consultation with a qualified health care practitioner.
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