1. Make a "Love Your Liver" Salad
Your liver is the main organ of detoxification in your body, taking all potentially toxic compounds that enter the body and processing them to be eliminated. When your liver isn't working properly, toxins and toxic byproducts of normal metabolism can build up. Foods that can help support liver function and the body's normal detoxification process include lemons, apples, beets and carrots. These simple foods contain natural compounds that stimulate liver enzymes to enhance detoxification and also provide vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to protect liver cells from damage. To make a "Love Your Liver" salad, shred a peeled beet, carrot and cored apple together in a food processor. Add the juice of 1 (or more, depending on your tastes) lemon and a tablespoon of olive oil, mix, and you have a quick, tasty and easy salad to snack on throughout the day that also enhances liver function.
2. Brush Your Skin
Your skin is a major organ of detoxification but we often take it for granted--looking at it solely in terms of appearance rather than function. Toxins from the environment, heavy creams and perfumes can all impact skin function, impairing its ability to function as one of the body's main organs of detoxification. Dry skin brushing can help to keep skin looking healthy, as well as enhance circulation, remove dead skin cells, open pores and allow for proper skin function and protection for our body. Using a natural bristle brush (natural bristles won't irritate your skin like synthetic bristles will), brush dry skin before showering or bathing. Start with the soles of your feet--always brushing upwards towards your heart--and brush your whole body with small, light strokes, finishing with your hands and moving up your arms. Then take a shower to rinse off dust, dirt and dead skin cells.
3. Take a Contrast Therapy Shower
Your blood brings oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues, and carries waste products and toxins to be excreted, so enhancing circulation of blood through your body tissues is a key part of any detoxification program. Contrast therapy is a simple and effective treatment you can do at home in your shower to increase circulation and detoxify your body. Contrast therapy involves alternating hot and cold water treatments. This acts in a "pumping" fashion to bring blood flow to the exterior of the body (the skin, hands, arms, legs and feet) during hot water applications, and stimulate blood flow back to the center of the body during cold water applications. Take a hot shower for 1 to 2 minutes, then turn the hot water down (or off completely) and stand under the cold water for 10 to 20 seconds. Follow this with 1 to 2 minutes under the hot water, then 10 to 20 seconds under cold water. Repeat one more time, ending with 10 to 20 seconds under cold water. After stepping out of the shower, dry yourself vigorously with a clean, dry towel.
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