Dr. Sandra Cabot wrote "The Liver Cleansing Diet" in 1997. The book made Dr. Cabot a household name in her native Australia. The Cabot Liver Diet focuses on cleansing the liver. Dr. Cabot claims a diet that cleanses the liver has many benefits including weight control, increased energy levels, and a risk reduction of inflammatory and degenerative diseases such as arthritis. Consult your physician before making any changes in your diet.
About
The purported aim of Dr. Cabot's diet is to cleanse the liver in order to help this vital organ return to optimal functionality. The role of the liver is to remove toxins from the body, but Dr. Cabot believes that some elements of toxic substances remain in the liver, which results in congestion and therefore the liver is no longer able to function well. Dr. Cabot claims that by eliminating processed foods and chemicals from the diet, and adding foods rich in antioxidants and nutrients, it is possible for the liver to regain a healthy state.
Rules
The Liver Cleansing Diet should be followed for an eight-week period. All processed foods should be eliminated and replaced with plenty of raw fruits and vegetables, particularly leafy greens. Oily fish, nuts and seeds can be eaten for essential fatty acids, along with avocados which are an excellent source of monounsaturated fatty acids. Optimal protein sources are legumes, fish and eggs. Herbal teas and raw juices should replace soda and alcoholic drinks. You should also attempt to drink at least 64-oz. of filtered water every day. Dr. Cabot recommends using a water filter to avoid parasites and chemicals entering the body through your drinking water, which add more strain to the liver. Artificial colorings, preservatives and sugar substitutes such as aspartame should be eliminated completely. You should also buy organic produce when possible.
Benefits
If your liver is congested and has become sluggish, Dr. Cabot maintains you are likely to experience weight gain, poor digestion and unpleasant mood swings. After the liver becomes less congested, you should notice these symptoms decrease, and you will probably experience an improvement in your skin condition; high cholesterol or blood pressure should also improve.
Breakfast
An example of a breakfast that would be acceptable for the liver cleansing diet would be rye bread, a boiled egg and two pieces of raw fruit. This meal contains whole grains, which are a source of the antioxidant selenium. The egg provides methionine, which is essential for detoxification, and the raw fruits are rich in enzymes and vitamins.
Lunch
An excellent lunch choice would be grilled or baked sardines served with brown rice and a raw spinach and tomato salad. The sardines are a rich source of polyunsaturated fats and also provide protein. The brown rice is a whole grain and will help you feel satiated. A fresh spinach and tomato salad is a rich source of vitamins and lycopene; avoid commercial salad dressings and use a dash of cold pressed olive oil and lemon juice instead.
Dinner
Skinless grilled free-range chicken served with very lightly steamed vegetables and followed by a fresh fruit cocktail would make a diet-compliant dinner that contains plenty of vitamins, antioxidants and a good source of lean protein. You could also add a handful of walnuts to the fruit for a healthful portion of monounsaturated fatty acids.
Expert Insight
Nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., reports on MayoClinic.com that, although detox diets are popular, there is little scientific evidence to back up the claims of following a detox regimen. Zeratsky recommends eating a diet centered around fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods and lean sources of protein for optimal health. As these foods form the basis of the Cabot Liver Cleansing Diet, it appears this diet has the characteristics of a healthful, nutritionist-approved diet, regardless of whether it will actually cleanse the liver or not.
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