Toxins enter your body through the environment and the foods you eat. Pesticides, herbicides, hormones, preservatives, tobacco and alcohol are harmful to your health and liver. The liver plays multiple roles in detoxifying the body, including filtering the blood and secreting bile. The liver's function is to fight bacteria, boost the immune system and break down harmful toxins. Certain foods can help your liver function more effectively.
Allium Family
The liver's primary function is to break down the toxins that have entered the body. The allium family, which includes garlic, scallions, onions and chives, are needed for this step in the detoxification process. This group of foods contain sulfuric compounds that aid in the breakdown. The allium family also contributes folic acid, potassium, calcium and vitamin C to boost the immune system during a detox diet.
Peppers
Bell and jalapeno peppers stimulate blood circulation, which helps to prepare the body for elimination. The capsaicin in these foods provides heat to increase circulation and metabolism. For the same heating effect, try garlic, thyme, mustard and green tea.
Fiber-rich foods
When the liver breaks down toxins, it produces bile to prepare the material for elimination. The elimination of toxins is one of the most vital roles the liver plays in the detoxification process. Eating the correct foods for elimination means you should be consuming more fiber to support the digestive system. Consuming more fiber from foods such as apples, cucumbers, legumes, carrots, spinach, pears, and raw nuts and seeds will ensure the liver is producing enough bile.
Brassica Family
Brassica-family foods such as cabbage, broccoli and brussels sprouts, improve the liver's function in detoxification. The enzymes found in these foods aid the liver by increasing bile production. Bile neutralizes toxins so that they can easily be excreted. Brassica-family foods are also good sources of fiber. Be cautious when consuming these foods because they can cause flatulence.
Dark Greens
Once toxins are eliminated, the liver purifies the blood. Dark green, leafy vegetables should be eaten during this phase. Parsley, spinach and watercress all contain chlorophyll, which is chemically similar to human blood. Chlorophyll helps produce more red blood cells. Dark green, leafy vegetables also provide nutrients such as vitamin K and iron, which are needed for restoring healthy blood.
References
- "The Food Bible"; Judith Wills; 1998
- "The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Second Edition"; Michael Murray N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.; 1998
- "The Raw Food Detox Diet"; Natalia Rose; 2006
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