The body produces toxic compounds by completing the standard processes required for life. The breakdown of foods creates toxins, as does the killing of invading bacteria or the generation of energy at each cell. This burden can increase significantly when you add junk foods, synthetic additives and alcohol into the mixture. Drugs and pollution increase the load further. When the liver function drops as a result, a detox might help. Always consult your physician before undertaking a liver detox.
Detoxification Requirements
Many practitioners believe that a regular detoxification procedure sows the seeds for optimum liver performance. Patrick Holfold, a clinical nutritionist and the founder of the Institute of Optimum Nutrition, recommends a yearly detox. He suggests a strict regime that involves the removal of caffeine, wheat, dairy, transfats and other problem foods, while emphasizing those that can help ease the toxic burden on the body by encouraging swift elimination.
Detox Foods
Foods can exert a variety of effects on the liver, although most used in detox protocols aim to enhance the detoxification pathways. Spices such as turmeric and ginger help by providing powerful antioxidant support, which improves the liver's initial detoxification pathways. Sulfur-containing plant foods such as onions and garlic also enhance the liver's ability to conjugate, or bind, toxins into a form that the body can easily eliminate.
Regeneration
Christopher Hobbs, a master herbalist and the author of “Natural Therapy For Your Liver,” points out that milk thistle as one of the most useful herbs for liver detoxification. As well as providing a powerful antioxidant effect at the organ and across the body, milk thistle contains a flavonoid called silymarin that helps the liver deal with the chemical insults it experiences during detoxes. Silymarin protects the cells from death and increases the rate at which liver cells regenerate.
Reduced Toxic Burden
Reducing the toxic burden on the liver remains the primary aim of a detox procedure. Hobbs explains how a reduced backlog of toxic compounds puts less strain on the organ and results in the liver performing better in its other tasks. As the liver takes responsibility for the deactivation of hormones, clearance of immune system complexes and the maintenance of blood sugar levels, these key areas will reflect the reduced toxic burden.
Improved Bile Flow
Xandria Williams, a naturopathic practitioner and the author of “The Liver Detox Plan,” explains that poor bile flow stands out as a consequence of an overburdened liver. Fortunately, an additional effect witnessed after a successful detox protocol involves the increased flow of bile. The liver produces bile before this fluid compound, which contains cholesterol, inorganic salts, lecithin and toxins ejected from the liver, concentrated at the gall bladder then released into the intestines. Not only does this improve digestion, by triggering muscle contraction that moves solids through the bowels, but it also facilitates easier removal of toxins from the liver on an ongoing basis.
References
- “Natural Therapy For Your Liver”; Christopher Hobbs; 2002.
- Patrick Holford: 9 Day Liver Detox
- “The Liver Detox Plan"; Xandria Williams; 1998.
