Simple Liver Detox

The liver plays a powerful role in our overall health. As one of the largest organs in the body and responsible for filtering toxins out of the blood, the liver needs to function well. A simple liver detox can provide more energy and keep your liver clean. Please check with your doctor before beginning the liver detox.

Liver Detox Benefits

Nurturing the liver with a simple detox program can help maintain high energy levels and a healthy immune system. Another incentive to keeping the liver healthy, according to "The Healthy Liver and Bowel Book," by Dr. Sandra Cabot, a practicing physician in New South Wales, Australia, specializing in liver heath and internationally recognized author---the liver is the major fat burning organ in the body. A clean, high-functioning liver will help the body flush fat, maintain metabolism and ultimately assist you in losing weight.

Raw Fruits and Vegetables

To detox the liver, eat raw, vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables at every meal. Raw fruits and vegetables contain living enzymes and nutrients necessary to keep the liver healthy, according to Cabot. Cruciferous vegetables---broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, bok choy, mustard greens and radish---are particularly powerful for the liver. Paul Pitchford, in his book "Healing with Whole Foods," says that chlorophyll-rich foods, such as wheat and barley-grass juice powders, and micro-algae, including spirulina and chlorella, help to rejuvenate the liver.

Healthy Fats

To process heavy fats such as full-cream dairy products, margarine, hydrogenated fats and rich, greasy foods such as deep-fried foods and fatty meats, the liver works overtime. This slows the liver down, leaving the entire body feeling sluggish. As part of a liver detox program skip heavy fats and greasy foods in favor of healthy fats found in avocados, fish, vegetable and seed oils, and raw, fresh seeds.

Whole Foods

Eliminating highly refined, processed food is especially important during a liver detox. According to Pitchford, any unnatural, foreign substances, such as prescription medications, unnatural sweeteners and chemicals found in processed foods, stress the liver. In addition to raw fruits and vegetables, eat whole foods in the form of complex carbohydrates such as grains and legumes during the liver detox.

Supplements

Supplements can support a liver detox program. Vitamins C, E and the B-group, as well as folic acid, serve as protective antioxidants for the liver. According to Pitchford, milk thistle and dandelion root are herbs known for their ability to detoxify and protect the liver, and can be taken in supplement form.

References

• "Healing with Whole Foods:" Paul Pitchford: 2002
• "The Healthy Liver and Bowel Book:" Dr. Sandra Cabot: 1999