"Building a Healthy Body" by Lesley Baker
Article Two of the Series
"Building a Healthy Body" "How a spring liver detox will improve your health and increase longevity!"
"Building a Healthy Body" "How a spring liver detox will improve your health and increase longevity!"
March is finally upon us! The sun is shining, flowers blooming and it's time to detox our liver! "Detox my what?" you may say. Yes, springtime is the appropriate time to detox your liver. In the winter months we fall into our long lazy hibernation. During this hibernation time we are outside less, we exercise less while eat more. The winter holidays also cause some of us to overindulge in poor food choices. So by the end of the winter season our bodies are crying out to detox and go into spring with a healthy system!
For me personally I wait until I see dandelions in bloom and skunk cabbage peaking out from the ditches. Those are the signs I take notice of for my own detox time. Mother Earth is quite amazing. It is no coincidence that the spring dandelions detox the soil and parts of our eco system. Interestingly enough...dandelions are going to play a wonderful role in detoxing our human livers!
First, let's get familiar with what the liver does for our body. The liver is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm. It is one of the most vital organs we possess, also the largest. The liver has many important functions such as; the detoxification of metabolites, the production of biochemicals which are mandatory for digestion and it is also involved in protein synthesis. The liver is known as an "accessory digestive gland" that produces bile. Bile is an alkaline compound that emulsifies fats in our body. The liver also works with the kidneys to convert vitamin D into it's active form of Vitamin D3. So putting it simply, our liver detoxes our body from pharmaceuticals, poor quality foods, internal and external toxins. The liver processes fat so that the body can get rid of it. So whether it is for health reasons or to lose weight, your liver must be well taken care of.
Most Holistic Practitioners recommend a spring liver cleanse. This does not have to be any crazy detox diet or quick fad diet. There are some great ways to detox the liver as well as some incredible hepatic restorative herbs that can help. The right combination can have your liver dancing the "Up Town Funk" in no time. Your body will feel incredible! You'll be able to rid your body of some of that winter fat, your skin will look radiant and you will be able to increase your Vitamin D absorption - making your spirits brighter! So now that we know the why, what does a liver detox look like?
Signs that your liver may be congested: - Acne, psoriasis, eczema - Difficulty sleeping, staying asleep/waking up feeling exhausted - Mood swings/flares of anger which may seem out of character - Difficult PMS symptoms - Brain fogginess, difficulty focusing - Headaches\Migraines - Food sensitivities/allergy or asthma flare ups - Weight gain, feeling heavy and sluggish - Depression/anxiety/panic attacks - Dysbiosis - Hormonal imbalances - Nutrient deficiencies - General feeling of being toxic - Autoimmune diseases - Fatty stools - Liver is sensitive to palpation
Herbs that aid the health of your liver: - Bitter root (Apocynum androsaemifolium L.) dispells gallstones and stimulates a sluggish liver - Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum L.) a liver detoxifier/protector and increases new cell growth in the liver - Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinalis rad) detoxifies, stimulates bile and reduces liver inflammation - Burdock root (Arcticum lappa rad) an adaptogen and alterative, lymphatic and hepatic herb - Clivers (Galium aparine L.) adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, detoxifier and anti-obesity
Foods that help detox and support the liver: - Garlic (activates liver enzymes and help flush out toxins, carries large amounts of allicin and selenium) - Grapefruit (not grapefruit juice) (high in Vitamin C and antioxidants while increasing the cleansing process within the liver) - Beets (contain both plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene these improve overall liver functions) - Green Tea (loaded with catechins for liver function and antioxidants) - Leafy greens (arugula, dandelion greens, mustard greens (these increase bile flow and aid in removing waste from your organs) - Apples (contains pectin, cleanses toxins from the digestive tract and makes the livers job easier in letting go of it's toxic build up) - Olive oil - cold pressed/organic (in small amounts) (a lipid that can draw toxins to itself and aid the elimination of toxins from the body. - The Cruciferous family of greens: broccoli and cauliflower (steamed) (increase glucosinolate in your body, thus aiding the enzyme production in your liver) - Lime/Lemons (high in Vitamin C) Have a warm cup of water and lemon or lime in the morning upon waking. This will stimulate your digestion and also stimulate your liver. - Brassica's (cabbage/brussel sprouts) these help stimulate the activation of enzymes that help the liver flush out toxins. Prior to Cleanse: Before beginning your cleanse determine how strong your body is currently. Are you dealing with any chronic or existing diseases? Have you been weak or struggling with depression? If so, you will want to do more of a gentle cleanse that is not going to throw your body into shock. However, if you are healthy and strong you can handle something more substantial like the Master Cleanse. Whichever path you decide to choose the most important thing is that your liver is getting some spring time attention.
5 Day Gentle Cleanse : Start your morning first thing with hot water and lemon. Avoid: All processed foods, dairy (use almond milk), wheat, gluten, all sugar, fatty foods, poor quality meats/processed meats, fruit juices and excessive fruit consumption, all alcohol and limit caffeine to one a day. Favor: Try substituting coffee with dandelion coffee, drink your herbal tea and warm lemon water. Add the foods mentioned above as well as organic meats and (sparingly) fresh organic eggs. Make sure you steam vegetables first (except your salad greens). Cooking your food will make it easier on your digestion and easier for your liver to deal with. Your greens can be eaten as a salad but skip the dressing and try olive oil with sea salt and pepper or sprinkled with lemon. Fat soluable vitamins A, D, E, K.
Meals: Breakfast can be a nice veggie omelette with grapefruit (or perhaps warm quinoa with warmed almond milk and some cinnamon). For lunch you may want to try making a hearty beet borscht with some rye crackers. Supper can be cooked veggies, a lean meat/fish and a small salad. Your fruit (chose apples and berries over tropical) must be eaten separate from all meals so use those for snack times. Try having your apples baked with a little cinnamon. Mary's crackers and hummus are also delightful as a snack.
Herbal tea: Milk thistle, Burdock root and Dandelion root. Purchase these dried herbs (active) from a herbalist/apocathary/or reputable health food store. (20 grams of each). Combine them together and make 3-4 teas a day using one tablespoon of the mixture in each cup of boiling water. Allow a 15 minute covered steep time.
***Important Note: Be sure to chew your food well so that your teeth/saliva are doing the work for your digestion. Do not over eat! Eat until full and eat only when hungry. Do not eat after 7:00 pm. At night while sleeping, your system begins to heal itself. If you eat prior to bed your organs do not rest, they begin working overtime to process your food. This results in feeling sluggish and experiencing fatigued when you arise. Your optimum liver function time is between 1:00 am and 3:00 am so let your liver rest & heal, and don't eat before bed!
Advanced Cleanse: You may try the Master Cleanse for the recommend period of time and then follow the 5 Day Gentle Cleanse (above) for 30 days for the ultimate flush!
So in conclusion; by following a good liver cleanse you will feel amazing for summer! Not only will your liver be healthier, the rest of your body will as well! Your skin will glow, you will slim down, your digestion will smooth out and you will feel regenerated. A little hard work and perseverance now will go a long way in extending your health. Happy Cleansing!
Medical Phytotherapist
Lesley Baker
For me personally I wait until I see dandelions in bloom and skunk cabbage peaking out from the ditches. Those are the signs I take notice of for my own detox time. Mother Earth is quite amazing. It is no coincidence that the spring dandelions detox the soil and parts of our eco system. Interestingly enough...dandelions are going to play a wonderful role in detoxing our human livers!
First, let's get familiar with what the liver does for our body. The liver is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm. It is one of the most vital organs we possess, also the largest. The liver has many important functions such as; the detoxification of metabolites, the production of biochemicals which are mandatory for digestion and it is also involved in protein synthesis. The liver is known as an "accessory digestive gland" that produces bile. Bile is an alkaline compound that emulsifies fats in our body. The liver also works with the kidneys to convert vitamin D into it's active form of Vitamin D3. So putting it simply, our liver detoxes our body from pharmaceuticals, poor quality foods, internal and external toxins. The liver processes fat so that the body can get rid of it. So whether it is for health reasons or to lose weight, your liver must be well taken care of.
Most Holistic Practitioners recommend a spring liver cleanse. This does not have to be any crazy detox diet or quick fad diet. There are some great ways to detox the liver as well as some incredible hepatic restorative herbs that can help. The right combination can have your liver dancing the "Up Town Funk" in no time. Your body will feel incredible! You'll be able to rid your body of some of that winter fat, your skin will look radiant and you will be able to increase your Vitamin D absorption - making your spirits brighter! So now that we know the why, what does a liver detox look like?
Signs that your liver may be congested: - Acne, psoriasis, eczema - Difficulty sleeping, staying asleep/waking up feeling exhausted - Mood swings/flares of anger which may seem out of character - Difficult PMS symptoms - Brain fogginess, difficulty focusing - Headaches\Migraines - Food sensitivities/allergy or asthma flare ups - Weight gain, feeling heavy and sluggish - Depression/anxiety/panic attacks - Dysbiosis - Hormonal imbalances - Nutrient deficiencies - General feeling of being toxic - Autoimmune diseases - Fatty stools - Liver is sensitive to palpation
Herbs that aid the health of your liver: - Bitter root (Apocynum androsaemifolium L.) dispells gallstones and stimulates a sluggish liver - Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum L.) a liver detoxifier/protector and increases new cell growth in the liver - Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinalis rad) detoxifies, stimulates bile and reduces liver inflammation - Burdock root (Arcticum lappa rad) an adaptogen and alterative, lymphatic and hepatic herb - Clivers (Galium aparine L.) adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, detoxifier and anti-obesity
Foods that help detox and support the liver: - Garlic (activates liver enzymes and help flush out toxins, carries large amounts of allicin and selenium) - Grapefruit (not grapefruit juice) (high in Vitamin C and antioxidants while increasing the cleansing process within the liver) - Beets (contain both plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene these improve overall liver functions) - Green Tea (loaded with catechins for liver function and antioxidants) - Leafy greens (arugula, dandelion greens, mustard greens (these increase bile flow and aid in removing waste from your organs) - Apples (contains pectin, cleanses toxins from the digestive tract and makes the livers job easier in letting go of it's toxic build up) - Olive oil - cold pressed/organic (in small amounts) (a lipid that can draw toxins to itself and aid the elimination of toxins from the body. - The Cruciferous family of greens: broccoli and cauliflower (steamed) (increase glucosinolate in your body, thus aiding the enzyme production in your liver) - Lime/Lemons (high in Vitamin C) Have a warm cup of water and lemon or lime in the morning upon waking. This will stimulate your digestion and also stimulate your liver. - Brassica's (cabbage/brussel sprouts) these help stimulate the activation of enzymes that help the liver flush out toxins. Prior to Cleanse: Before beginning your cleanse determine how strong your body is currently. Are you dealing with any chronic or existing diseases? Have you been weak or struggling with depression? If so, you will want to do more of a gentle cleanse that is not going to throw your body into shock. However, if you are healthy and strong you can handle something more substantial like the Master Cleanse. Whichever path you decide to choose the most important thing is that your liver is getting some spring time attention.
5 Day Gentle Cleanse : Start your morning first thing with hot water and lemon. Avoid: All processed foods, dairy (use almond milk), wheat, gluten, all sugar, fatty foods, poor quality meats/processed meats, fruit juices and excessive fruit consumption, all alcohol and limit caffeine to one a day. Favor: Try substituting coffee with dandelion coffee, drink your herbal tea and warm lemon water. Add the foods mentioned above as well as organic meats and (sparingly) fresh organic eggs. Make sure you steam vegetables first (except your salad greens). Cooking your food will make it easier on your digestion and easier for your liver to deal with. Your greens can be eaten as a salad but skip the dressing and try olive oil with sea salt and pepper or sprinkled with lemon. Fat soluable vitamins A, D, E, K.
Meals: Breakfast can be a nice veggie omelette with grapefruit (or perhaps warm quinoa with warmed almond milk and some cinnamon). For lunch you may want to try making a hearty beet borscht with some rye crackers. Supper can be cooked veggies, a lean meat/fish and a small salad. Your fruit (chose apples and berries over tropical) must be eaten separate from all meals so use those for snack times. Try having your apples baked with a little cinnamon. Mary's crackers and hummus are also delightful as a snack.
Herbal tea: Milk thistle, Burdock root and Dandelion root. Purchase these dried herbs (active) from a herbalist/apocathary/or reputable health food store. (20 grams of each). Combine them together and make 3-4 teas a day using one tablespoon of the mixture in each cup of boiling water. Allow a 15 minute covered steep time.
***Important Note: Be sure to chew your food well so that your teeth/saliva are doing the work for your digestion. Do not over eat! Eat until full and eat only when hungry. Do not eat after 7:00 pm. At night while sleeping, your system begins to heal itself. If you eat prior to bed your organs do not rest, they begin working overtime to process your food. This results in feeling sluggish and experiencing fatigued when you arise. Your optimum liver function time is between 1:00 am and 3:00 am so let your liver rest & heal, and don't eat before bed!
Advanced Cleanse: You may try the Master Cleanse for the recommend period of time and then follow the 5 Day Gentle Cleanse (above) for 30 days for the ultimate flush!
So in conclusion; by following a good liver cleanse you will feel amazing for summer! Not only will your liver be healthier, the rest of your body will as well! Your skin will glow, you will slim down, your digestion will smooth out and you will feel regenerated. A little hard work and perseverance now will go a long way in extending your health. Happy Cleansing!
Medical Phytotherapist
Lesley Baker
posted by Cerine @ 4:07 PM
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