The liver is a large and vital organ that plays a critical role in human health. The liver is a cleanser and filter for the blood stream, manufactures and secretes almost a liter of bile every day, and is responsible for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. The liver is also responsible for the detoxification of harmful substances such as environmental toxins, pesticides, drugs and alcohol. Therefore it is essential to continually supply the body with liver detoxification foods to help support the function of this vital organ.
Lemons
The lemon is a valuable fruit for liver detoxification. It is acidic to taste but alkaline in nature. A liver tonic made of warm water and lemon juice helps to purify and clean the liver by eliminating the harmful bi-products of toxins and waste. A liver tonic also helps to increase the flow of bile in the liver. Bile is a fluid produced by the liver that aids in digestion and the elimination of toxins through the bowel. In addition, lemons provide a rich source of vitamin C, a potent anti-oxidant, that helps to neutralize the free radicals that are removed from the blood stream by the liver. In the May 2008 issue of "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," the authors confirm that "antioxidant compounds can neutralize reactive oxygen species, therefore, an increased influx of antioxidants to the liver could likely induce a decrease in markers of liver damage."
Dandelion Root
Dandelion root is another powerful liver detoxification food. Considered food for the liver, dandelion root is rich in concentrated minerals such as calcium and potassium, as well as the vitamins A, B, C and E. Dandelion root is an effective detoxification agent because it stimulates the liver to excrete secretions from the liver such as bile and fluid build-up.
Beans
Rich in fiber, beans are a super- are excellent for liver detoxification. The fiber in beans helps to eliminate toxins through the digestive tract. If there is not a sufficient amount of fiber in the diet, toxins will not be removed from the body but will be re-absorbed back into the blood stream and then deposited into the liver. In the March 2010 issue of the "Nutriiton Journal", the authors confirm that "a high fiber intake results in a high stool bulk which results in reduced stool transit time thus lowering exposure to potential carcinogens."
Cabbage
Cabbage is a strong and hardy vegetable that is rich in all the necessary nutrients to support liver detoxification. Cabbage is full of the anti-oxidant vitamins C and E, vitamins A and B, and also contains a specialized compound called indole-3-carbinol. "Nutrition Journal," reports that "the intake of the compound indole-3-carbinol suggests for an increased capacity for the detoxification and inhibition of carcinogens."
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