Spring has officially started now – as of the Equinox on Saturday, so I thought it a good time to highlight our major organ of DETOX.
The liver is responsible for detoxing and filtering harmful substances in the body as well as many other functions. Thanks to a pretty toxic environment – both inside and outside your home – your liver is likely be one of the the most overburdened organs in your body. It is after all ‘the major organ of detox’.
How long should I detox?
I don’t recommend short, intense detoxes. They can be dangerous, not to mention make you feel awful for a few days, then quite often you’re back to your old ways once it’s over. Sure, it’s good to give your liver (and kidneys) a break, but why only for a few days or weeks?
There are some wonderful veggies, seaweeds and other foods that really do help your liver detox more efficiently, but I recommend we include these as part of our diet for the process to be ongoing. As for what to leave out, animal products are not essential to a balanced and healthy diet. Quite the opposite in my opinion. Sure, you can include them, but occasionally, not daily. If you reduce your intake of animal products and all refined and processed foods, then automatically you’re going to be healthier, happier and slimmer. It’s important to include lots of veggies from the cruciferous family. These are cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and turnip. Don’t forget to include kale where you can (high in antioxidants). Other things high in antioxidants are raw cacao powder and any other organic fruit or veggie.
Liver herbs to include are dandelion root, Schisandra, turmeric (as it is high in antioxidants and has a good effect on the liver), calendula to help the lymph glands eliminate toxins, and digestive herbs to aid good elimination.
If you still really feel like you want to cleanse, then try a juice fast for a week. Drink veggie not fruit juice; so things like beetroot, celery, carrot, kale and add some ginger, turmeric and lemon.
Eat the cleanest, most unprocessed, best quality food you can afford
