Eating natural foods is essential in keeping your body healthy. Certain foods can help you gently detoxify in a healthy way, especially if you eat them often for an extended period of time. If you are looking for a deep and vigorous, yet natural detox, you may consider a strict, well-planned diet and supplements designed for a detox. Check with your doctor before making any significant dietary changes and adding supplements to your diet.
Allium Vegetables
Allium vegetables include garlic, onions, shallots, leeks, chives and scallions. They contain a pungent compound called allicin and flavonoids, which catalyze the production of glutathione. Glutathione increases your body's ability to eliminate toxins and carcinogens. According to Dr. Nicholas Perricone, garlic not only provides detoxifying effects, it lowers your "bad" cholesterol and raises your "good" cholesterol; reduces the risk of hardened arteries; fights infections from viruses and bacteria; and lowers cancer risks. It is important to eat allium vegetables raw so that the allicin is present and active.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, Brussels sprouts and watercress are all cruciferous vegetables, which are rich in sulfur. Sulfur assists your body in creating glutathione. They also contain important vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients like vitamin C and the enzyme myrosinase, which strengthen your immune system's ability to defend your body against diseases such as cancer.
Grasses
Grasses that are known for their detoxifying qualities are barley, wheatgrass and blue green algae, or BGA. The Ann Wigmore Institute uses wheatgrass to cleanse the colon to prevent and potentially treat colon cancer. Wheatgrass and barley grass contain chlorophyll, which assists the oxygen-carrying action of your red blood cells. Drinking juiced wheatgrass and barley grass helps regulate your cholesterol levels and blood pressure, lowers cancer risks and improves your immune system's performance.
Acai Berry
Acai berries repair cells and fight aging. They have 10 times the antioxidants of grapes and 10 to 30 times more anthocyanins than red wine. The berries are rich in amino acids, which are helpful for regenerating muscles. Perricone states that acai berries contain beneficial fats such as monounsaturated fats. They contain phytosterol, which is a phytonutrient that lowers your cholesterol, and provide you with dietary fiber that helps cleanse your digestive system. Acai berries have the flavor of berries and chocolate. You can find unsweetened pulp at health food stores.
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