If you are living a healthy life and still not feeling 100%, then your body may be giving you signals that your liver is overworked and needs additional support. Common signs of an overworked liver are digestive issues (bloating, constipation, IBS), skin issues (acne, rosacea, eczema), hot flashes, depression, weight gain, elevated cholesterol, and infertility, etc. If you are experiencing this it’s probably time to consider further assisting your body in detoxification.
Here are some of my favorite tools for becoming a SUPER detoxifier :
Eat these liver loving foods:
citrus (grapefruit, lemons and limes)
liver (high-quality free range chicken or beef liver)
organic leafy greens & cruciferous vegetables
root vegetables - beets, radishes, carrots
spirulina and chlorella
organic cold pressed oils (coconut, olive, avo, flax, sesame)
Drink:
filtered or spring water
organic teas (green tea, nettles, ginger, peppermint, dandelion)
organic fresh green juices and smoothies
Use herbs: (for loose leaf teas, tinctures or capsules)
Milk Thistle (a powerful antioxidant for the liver and a helps with glutathione production)
Dandelion (rich in potassium and a diuretic to support the liver in releasing toxins and gall bladder in releasing bile to help dump toxins)
Goldenseal (bitter herb with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities to support detoxification)
Determining the right timing and protocol to detox could be the difference between helping and hurting your wellness goals. I personally do a detox/cleanse 3-4 times yearly to keep my body working at its best and to avoid a sluggish liver. Contrary to popular belief, landing from a bachelorette weekend in vegas and staring a 5 day juice ‘cleanse/diet’ can stress your body more than necessary. Taking a bit of time to help your body recover and balance blood sugar before starting a cleanse/detox would be best. Incorporating the above tools and getting proper rest will help prepare your body for successful detoxification. Be aware that doing a detox or cleanse program can cause temporary stress on your body so it should be done with professional guidance so please consult with your nutritionist or doctor prior to participating in a detox program.