Liver Support
When
we overeat or eat processed or fried foods, and, anytime we are exposed to
environmental pollutants or stress, the liver becomes overworked and
overloaded. When the liver is taxed, it can’t process toxins and fat in an
efficient way. There are many foods that can help cleanse the liver naturally
by stimulating its natural ability to clean toxic waste from the body.
Include foods such as artichoke (contains compound called
caffeolyquinic acid which stimulates the flow of bile from the liver) ,
Beetroot (liver tonic, detoxifier and good for improving fat digestion), Rocket
(stimulates bile flow), berries, green tea, turmeric, ginger, onions, garlic,
coriander, dill, parsley, rosemary, mint, citrus zest.
Olives contain heart helping monounsaturated fats. They are
also a quick and easy snack that is very morish. Look out for ones stuffed with
whole garlic cloves and almonds for extra liver boosting power. Eat about a
handful or about 8 olives as a snack.
Grapefruit is High in Vitamin C and glutathione, grapefruit
increases the natural cleansing processes of the liver. More specifically, one
grapefruit contains over 70 mg of glutathione, a protein that boosts the
production of liver detox enzymes. In addition, grapefruit contains a special
kind of pectin that appears to lower cholesterol – a notorious liver sieve
clogging fat. *Make sure to check the insert on any
medications you take because grapefruit interferes with certain drugs.
Turmeric has been shown to contain a powerful antioxidant
that may help support normal, healthy liver detoxification.
Avocados help the body produce the antioxidant glutathione,
an extremely valuable compound needed for the liver to filter out harmful
materials. Glutathione is the primary antioxidant your liver needs during both
phases of detoxification. Avocados are also a good source of monounsaturated
fats and have been shown to lower liver-clogging cholesterol levels when eaten
regularly
Avoid adrenal stimulants such as sugars, refined
carbohydrates, alcohol and excessive levels of caffeinated drinks such as tea,
coffee, cola and chocolate.
Cut out processed foods, especially those with added sugar
and trans hydrogenated or oxidised fats.
Abstain from Alcohol The more alcohol you consume the more
antioxidants you need. This is because alcohol is detoxified by the liver using
a liver enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, but when you consume more alcohol
than this enzyme can handle the liver will instead metabolise the alcohol to
chloral hydrate, also known as Mickey Finn drops, which knocks you out.
Normally alcohol is metabolised to acetaldehyde by an enzyme called
acetyldehyde oxidase and from here to harmless chemicals that can be excreted
from the body. However if this enzyme is
overloaded or underfunctioning you end up with too much circulating
acetaldehyde. This is very acidic and toxic substance leads to ketoacidosis –
which leads to headache, nausea, mental and physical tiredness and aching
muscles. The liver enzyme responsible
for detoxifing alcohol depends on a good supply of antioxidant nutrients,
especially vitamin C.
Every Day
·
Drink at least 1.5 Litres of water daily. Add ½
lemon squeezed into a mug of hot water twice a day.
·
Have a garlic clove every day. Garlic has the ability to activate liver
enzymes that help your body flush out toxins. Garlic also holds high amounts of
allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing.
·
Eat at least 2 portions of cruciferous vegetables daily
Eating broccoli and cauliflower will increase the amount of glucosinolate in
your system, adding to enzyme production in the liver. These natural enzymes help
flush out carcinogens, and other toxins, out of our body which may
significantly lower risks associated with cancer. Cruciferous Veg-broccoli,
Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale.
·
Eat 5-6 Walnuts daily Holding high amounts of the amino acid
arginine, walnuts aid the liver in detoxifying ammonia. Walnuts are also high
in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids, which support normal liver cleansing actions. Make
sure you chew the nuts well (until they are liquefied) before swallowing.
·
Eat at least 1 portion of Sulphur Daily – onions, spring
onions, garlic, shallots are excellent food sources of sulphur containing amino
acids. Sulphur drives a critical liver
detox pathway called sulphation. The amino acids in these foods also give the
body the raw materials to make glutathionine which drives another critical
detox pathway. Red onions are especially
good because they are high in quercetin, which is a natural anti inflammatory.
·
Aim to eat red meat no more than, twice a week, fish at least
twice a week and vegetarian twice a week.
·
Drink this daily Lemon
Water Detox 6 Cups of filtered water, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1 cucumber sliced, 1
lemon sliced, 1/3 cup mint leaves.
Let the mixture infuse overnight and drink it
all the next day.