Ten signals your liver needs to detox. Did you know that besides your heart, your liver is probably the hardest working organ in your body?
Your liver has a dual role. It is both the main organ for detoxing (which your body is naturally doing all the time) as well as a digestive organ. These days many, many people have over burdened livers that are “speaking” to them and crying out for help!
Ten signs your liver is telling you it needs help:
abdominal bloating
pain or discomfort over the liver – (right upper abdominal area under the rib cage)
excessive abdominal fat; pot belly; or a roll around the upper abdomen
trouble digesting fatty foods
had your gallbladder removed
acid reflux/heartburn
dark spots on the skin commonly referred to liver spots
overheating of the body & excessive perspiration
acne/rosacea or itchy, blotchy skin
unexplained weight gain and inability to lose weight even with calorie restriction
Other signs to watch for include high blood pressure, fatigue, high cholesterol and triglycerides, mood swings and depression, sleep apnea or snoring and fatty yellowish lumps around eyes. These are signs you need to take action, detox and alter you diet and lifestyle to heal your liver.
These are all signs that your liver is blocked or clogged up with unhealthy fat – in extreme cased it’s called fatty liver. When this happens the cells that act as a filter become too swollen with fat and the liver cannot screen out or filter the many substances being passed through it. Remember the liver functions to clean out used blood and return it to the heart. If this situation is not reversed you end up with recycled toxins entering you heart via uncleaned blood. This can damage your heart and immune system and lead to rapid aging. All your hormones and any medications you take also are filtered through the liver.
How do you get a clogged or fatty liver?
People who do not consume alcohol can have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In fact NAFD is directly correlated to people who consume a high carbohydrate diet and who eat an abundance of processed foods or foods high in sugar. No wonder this is on the rise in America where people eat diets composed of mostly simple carbohydrates and sugar laden foods. Some estimates indicate rates of NAFD are as high as 33%!
What else contributes to a toxic, clogged liver?
These days we are exposed daily to high levels of toxins (i.e. chemicals, pesticides, water contaminants, food preservatives, heavy metals and electromagnetic radiation) through our food, water, air, body and home products. These toxins lodge in the bowel, liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and especially fat tissue. The toxic build up prevents the normal uptake and utilization of nutrients, carbohydrates and proteins. It reduces the body’s oxygen uptake and creates an acidic, septic, low-energy state, prone to disease.
When our livers are so busy working to filter out all these toxins the liver has very little energy left to filter blood, drugs, hormones let alone do the job as a digestive organ. and thus many find losing weight more difficult. Also see what-happens-when-you-detox
Four steps to begin detoxing your liver
I. The first step to reducing our toxic load is to reduce your exposure to air-borne toxins:
Smoke
Gasoline
Paint & Glue
Cleaners
Nail polish & Perfumes
Reduce exposure from toxins in food and drink:
Alcohol
Preservatives
Dyes
Pesticides
Fertilizers
Heavy metal in large fish – stick to wild caught salmon (also see this post is-eating-fish-still-safe)
Contaminated water – invest in a filtration unit
Chlorinated and brominated products (found in almost all commercially produced breads and bread products)
Switch to non-toxic and plant-based, cleaning and personal care products and eliminate petroleum-based preservatives in skin and hair care products.
Remember:
The skin is the largest organ in your body….what is applied to your skin is absorbed right into your body. So, if you would not eat it don’t use it on your skin.
Even “organic” products may be preserved with toxins so look for essential oil preservatives on label such as orange oil and lemon oil.
Make your own skin lotions with organic shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba, olive oil and essential oils
*** And be aware of ElectroMagnetic Fields EMF’s from cell phones, WiFi, cordless phones, hospital radiology departments and air planes. Keep cell phones, WiFi, electronic clocks and computers at least 8 feet distance, especially where you sleep.
II. The second step is to change your eating habits by removing foods that are especially harmful to your liver.
Eliminate processed foods, simple carbohydrates and sugar. Focus on eating more organic produce. Eat less cooked foods and don’t over cook your food. Don’t use a microwave as this destroys all the healthful properties of the food.
Eliminate toxic, poor quality fats like canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil. And don’t eat animal products from animals fed genetically modified feed such as soy, corn, and wheat.
Limit or eliminate alcohol immediately if you have been experiencing more than 3 of the symptoms listed in this post.
Get checked for hidden food intolerance’s, yeast overgrowth and consider heavy metal testing.
III. The third step is to add more supportive foods to help repair the damage to your liver and other organs. Eat lot’s of raw fruits and vegetables, especially dark green leafy vegetables and brightly colored ones.
Thirty to forty percent of the diet should consist of raw fruits and vegetables. Try to include a couple serving of raw fruits or vegetables every day. These really help your digestion because they contain living enzymes, vitamin C, natural antibiotic substances and anti-cancer phyto-nutrients. Raw juicing is another way to gain the benefits from these foods.
Eating naturally fermented foods (sauerkraut, cultured vegetables, and natural un-preserved, apple cider vinegar and foods rich in probiotics (yogurt and kefir) also helps.
Other important nutrients:
Vitamin K – green leafy vegetables and alfalfa sprouts.
Arginine – this helps the liver to detoxify ammonia, which is a toxic waste product of protein metabolism. Arginine is found in legumes (beans, peas, and lentils), carob, oats, walnuts, wheat germ and seeds.
Antioxidants – found in fresh raw juices such as carrot, celery, beetroot, dandelion, apple, pear and green drinks from chorella and spirulina, and fresh fruits, particularly citrus and kiwi fruit.
Selenium – sources of the antioxidant selenium are Brazil nuts, kelp, brown rice, molasses, seafood, wheat germ, whole-grains, garlic and onions.
Methionine – is essential for detoxification. Is found in legumes, eggs, fish, garlic, onions, seeds and meat.
Essential fatty acids – Seafood, cod liver oil, and fish oil. Seafood may be fresh, canned or frozen such as sardines, salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout, mullet, blue mussels, calamari, herring, blue eye cod. Fresh avocado, fresh raw nuts and seeds, legumes (beans, peas, lentils), whole grains, wheat germ, green vegetables such as spinach, green peas and green beans, eggplant, cold pressed fresh vegetable and seed oils, freshly ground seeds, especially flax seeds (linseed), evening primrose oil, black-currant seed oil, star flower oil. Essential fatty acids are required for healthy membranes in every cell of the body and plentiful amounts are required for healthy liver function. This is why strict low-fat diets are not beneficial for general health, weight control or liver function.
Natural sulphur compounds – are found in eggs (preferably free range), garlic, onions, leeks, shallots and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.
IV. The fourth step is to rebuild your liver’s health by using supportive herbs and nutrients. A few that help support the liver are B-complex, C, E and natural beta carotene. Herbs like milk thistle, turmeric, dandelion and globe artichoke also help. There are a number of important specific amino acids that help the liver too.
Remember if your liver is clogged you’re not able to properly digest and eliminate the foods you eat and this increases your need to detoxify your system and clean up your liver. Doing so will not only help you improve digestion but it is also a wise investment to proactively prevent future chronic illness and serious life threatening disease.
If you’re concerned about the health of your liver after reading this you should consider taking steps to restore your liver and improve your digestion through my 14 Day Liver Detox Package I created this package to help you get started back on the path to wellness.
My 14 Day Liver Detox Package is just what you need to begin making the first steps to gently remove unwanted toxins and reduce the burden on your liver….
~~~If you have been struggling with any of these issues for some time you many need more one on one intervention. Let me help you by explaining the other healing program options I offer by having a complementary phone consult with me to see if we are a fit!
Just complete my Are We A Fit? form and let’s talk.
I teach people just like you how to transform from hopeless to happy again every day. Very often these people tell me that working with me was the catalyst for so many other positive transformations in their lives.
2)12 Step Liver Cleanse
1. Remove Toxic Foods From Your Diet
If you are eating a diet high in processed foods, you are putting the health of your liver at risk.
Hydrogenated oils, refined sugar, convenience foods and lunch meats are notoriously toxic to your system.
For example, added nitrates and nitrites, commonly found in convenience foods, fast foods and lunch meats, have been linked to serious health conditions.
These chemicals are used to preserve foods to make them last longer, inhibit bacteria growth and preserve color. Replace these foods immediately with healthy choices. Healthy foods taste great, and with a bit of creativity, you can create healthful meals for your family.
Roast your own organic chicken breast and turkey breast to replace deli meats for quick lunches and after school snacks. Replace chips and other processed snacks with fresh fruit, carrot sticks, nuts and homemade granola bars.
Hydrogenated oils, also known as ‘trans fats,’ have higher levels of saturated fat. The chemical structure of the oil itself has been altered to increase shelf life. Consumption of trans fats dramatically increases the risk for heart disease by 25% or more. In addition, it is believed that trans fats cause problems with our immune system and can lead to inflammation throughout the body.
For a healthy (and tasty) alternative to kid-favorite macaroni and cheese, try my Cheesy Spaghetti Squash with Raisins and Walnuts. Spaghetti squash is low in calories, low in saturated fat, and considered a good source of Niacin, Vitamin B6, Manganese, Pantothenic Acid and is rich with Potassium. The walnuts are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids and contain anti-oxidants to boost cardiovascular health.
2. Drink Raw Vegetable Juice
It can be nearly impossible to eat all of the raw vegetables you need to make your liver cleanse effective. However, by juicing a variety of raw vegetables, you can easily get the 4-5 servings of fresh, organic vegetables you need. Even vegetables that aren’t your favorites can be disguised and enjoyed in a fresh vegetable juice.
With impaired liver function, juicing vegetables has the added benefit of making the vegetables easier to digest, and more readily available for absorption.
Vegetables ideal for a liver cleanse include cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. While that combination may not sound very enjoyable, you can add other vegetables that you enjoy to the mix including carrots, cucumber, beets and greens.
All of these vegetables help to reduce acid levels in the body, helping to create a more friendly pH balance. Experiment with your favorite flavor combinations; you can add fresh herbs including parsley, mint and others to make the juices more enjoyable.
Try my kid-friendly Orange Carrot Ginger Juice. Fresh, organic carrots are essential to any liver cleanse . In the liver, the beta-carotene is converted into Vitamin A to help flush out the toxins in the body while reducing fat in the liver.
The high fiber content helps support a healthy digestive tract, hastening the elimination of toxins in your body. The ginger root helps to soothe the digestive tract, reduce intestinal gas, and has strong anti-inflammatory compounds. The fresh oranges in this recipe not only add tangy sweetness, but also add significant Vitamin C, additional Vitamin A and Vitamin B-6.
3. Load Up On Potassium Rich Foods
Are you getting the recommended 4,700 milligrams per day of potassium? Chances are, you aren’t. Potassium-rich foods help to lower systolic blood pressure, lower cholesterol and support a healthy cardiovascular system, in addition to helping cleanse your liver. If you have been tempted to take potassium supplements, instead add these healthful foods to your diet.
Sweet Potatoes
Surprisingly, it is not the banana that is the richest in potassium. It is the sweet potato. A single medium sweet potato contains nearly 700 milligrams of potassium, not to mention the high fiber and beta-carotene content.
A sweet potato only has 131 calories, yet is rich with Vitamins B-6, C, D, magnesium and iron. While naturally sweet, the sugars actually are slowly released into the bloodstream through the liver, without causing a spike in blood sugar.
Tomato Sauces
Potassium, and the other beneficial nutrients in tomatoes, is significantly concentrated as a sauce, puree or as a paste. As an example, 1 cup of tomato puree contains 1065 milligrams of potassium, where 1 cup of fresh tomatoes, contains only 400 milligrams. When selecting tomato sauce, paste or puree, be sure to choose those made only from organic tomatoes.
To make your own concentrated tomato sauce, slice organic tomatoes in half and roast face down in the oven for 30 minutes at 425 degrees, until the skin has shriveled. Remove from oven, and let cool. Slide the skins off and gently crush in your food processor or blender. Strain to remove seeds, if you desire. Pour into a Dutch oven, and let simmer until thick 1 to 2 hours.
Beet Greens and Spinach
Rich in anti-oxidants, beet greens contain over 1300 milligrams of potassium per cup. Add beets and beet greens to your fresh vegetable juice recipe, finely chop and add raw to salads, or sauté lightly, like other greens. Beets also naturally cleanse the gallbladder and improve bile flow. Fresh organic spinach is easily added to your diet, and is a good source of potassium, containing 840 milligrams per serving.
Beans
White beans, kidney beans and lima beans are all rich with potassium, protein and fiber. Swap out one of these potassium rich beans for garbanzo beans in your favorite hummus recipe, and eat with carrot sticks and celery sticks.
Blackstrap Molasses
Just 2 teaspoons of this rich all-natural syrup contains 10% of the daily-recommended amount of potassium. In addition to potassium, blackstrap molasses is rich with iron, calcium, manganese and copper.
Incorporate blackstrap molasses into your diet by replacing other natural sweeteners with it, to create barbeque sauces, and to top oatmeal or quinoa porridge in the mornings. 2 teaspoons added to coffee intensifies the richness of the coffee, while lowering the acidic taste.
Bananas
And finally, add a banana to your favorite smoothie. While in comparison to the other high potassium foods on this list, the banana’s 470 milligrams of potassium are only part of the story. Bananas assist in digestion, and help to release toxins and heavy metals from the body – all of which are essential during a liver cleanse.
Please note: If you have high levels of potassium in your kidneys, foods rich in potassium should be consumed moderately.
4. Coffee Enemas
Coffee enemas help with constipation, reduce fatigue, and aid in liver detoxification. During the enema, organic coffee is retained in your bowel, allowing the fluid to enter the liver through the intestinal wall.
This has a stimulating effect that increases bile flow, helping to jump-start both your gallbladder and your liver. This sparks the production of the chemical glutathione, a strong cleansing compound that helps to release the build up of toxins in your system.
Eliminating the toxins during a liver cleanse is the most important thing, so they don’t build up and are moved quickly out of your system.
Combine 2 tablespoons of organic ground coffee with 3 cups of filtered or distilled water and bring to a boil. Simmer gently for 15 minutes and allow to cool. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth and use in your enema kit. Try to retain the mixture for 10-15 minutes, and then release.
5. Take Milk Thistle, Dandelion, and Turmeric Supplements
Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle is considered the “king” of detoxifying herbs, making it ideal for a liver cleanse. Milk thistle helps to eliminate the buildup of heavy metals, prescription medications, environmental pollutants and alcohol in the liver.
In addition, it helps to reduce the negative effects on the liver after chemotherapy and radiation. The active ingredient silymarin helps to strengthen the cell walls in the liver, while supporting healthy regeneration.
Turmeric
Turmeric reduces joint pain, is an effective anti-depressant, aids in digestion, helps to restore a healthy blood sugar balance, and supports healthy liver tissue and liver metabolism.
Currently, researchers are studying turmeric for a variety of health benefits for diseases and conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, depression, osteoarthritis, breast health, prostate health and chronic pain.
Dandelion Root
Most homeowners hate the dandelion, as it volunteers to populate yards every Spring. But, this flower, and its root, is actually packed with vitamins and minerals.
Dandelion root has a natural diuretic effect, allowing your liver to more quickly eliminate toxins. It also helps to strengthen the immune system, balance blood sugar levels, relieve heartburn, and soothe digestive upset.
6. Eat Real Liver or Take Liver Tablets
Liver from young, healthy, grass-fed cattle or chicken liver is rich with Vitamins A and B, folic acid, choline, iron, copper, zinc, chromium and CoQ10. Liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods we can eat.
If you can’t stomach eating liver, you can take beef liver pills. Seek a supplement that guarantees no hormones, pesticides or antibiotics are used in the feeding and care of the cattle.
7. Kick the Booze
Listen, no matter what those health claims around red wine may say, all booze is bad news for your little liver. It doesn’t like any of it, even the kind that’s packed with more antioxidants than the rest. Sorry, merlot! Alcohol is a toxin in any form and your liver will use a large amount of energy trying to get rid of the alcohol so it can purify your blood. During this process, it can use up a good bit of metabolic energy, which often leads to weight gain, sluggishness, fatigue, and yes, sleepiness. Plus, not all beer and wines are vegan anyway, so why not just avoid all the bad stuff in one step?
8. Flush It With H20 (and Add Some Lemon!)
Your liver likes to be clean (much like you do!) and what’s better than keeping it clean with fresh, alkalizing water? Water contains natural minerals when it comes from a healthy source (not from chlorinated tap waters), so use spring or well water when you can, or check with your city’s water to see if it’s environmentally safe (some areas are better than others). Also, use a water filtration system that removes the carbon and chlorine particles when possible. Add a squeeze of lemon to your water to add even more alkalizing and cleansing properties. Lemon and all citrus fruits contain Vitamin C and minerals that boost bodily functions and enhance the cleansing process, sweeping out wastes. Flushing your liver is like giving your body a good pre-wash so your blood stays at optimal pH levels. Aim for as many glasses a day as you can or drink caffeine-free herbal tea as a second option.
9. Eat The Best Foods Possible
You needn’t count your calories to care for your liver but you do need to eat high-quality foods. This means eating organic, fresh foods whenever possible such as leafy greens packed with magnesium, chlorophyll, Vitamins A and C, along with fresh vegetables and fresh fruits when possible. Buying organic is important, but is especially important for your liver since pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides toxify the liver and can even cause cancer. If you can’t afford everything organic, buy what’s on sale and do what you can. It really is worth your effort! These foods provide pure nutrients for your liver to cleanse and rebuild the blood to provide you with more energy and a healthy body. Organic fruits and vegetables also contain higher amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and sulfur, which all boost liver detoxification and cleansing. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, collards, apples, onions, garlic, and squash are all great choices. For tips on how to include these ingredients as part of your regular diet, I recommend checking out the Food Monster App, a food app available for both Android and iPhone where you can sort plant-based recipes by ingredient, meal type, and more. Also see: 10 Foods to Cleanse and Care for Your Liver.
10. Eat the Right Fats
Your liver is responsible for producing bile that breaks down fats, so one area of your diet you want to be sure you don’t forget about is the type of fats you eat. Eating healthy fats like almonds, coconut, walnuts, hemp, chia, and flax, along with pumpkin and sunflower seeds, olives, and avocado are all the best sources of fat for your diet. Avoid animal fats that lead to artery-clogging inflammation and avoid vegetable oils (like corn and soy) at all costs.
11. Choose Smart Supplements
It’s also important to choose your supplements selectively. Don’t just swallow a pill that promises good health. High-quality B vitamins (choose a plant-based brand) and selenium are important since they help metabolize substances in the body that help keep your liver healthy. Herbs such as milk thistle and artichoke leaf also help cleanse the liver. You can purchase a whole foods, plant-based multivitamin, B supplement, or buy a specialized liver support formula. While not 100 percent necessary, certain B vitamins and herbs like those mentioned here have been found to support the liver outside a healthy diet.
Your liver has two stages of detoxification, known as Phase 1 and Phase 2. All five of these tips will aid in both steps of detoxification without you feeling sick and like someone stole the life out of you in the process. There’s no need to go on crazy cleanses. Take care of your body with a whole foods, no junk, and booze-free vegan diet, and be sure you exercise and get some fresh sunlight whenever you can.
Oh, and though it goes without saying, cut the smoking and the late nights out with no sleep too- your liver’s not a huge fan, we promise!
BONUS Recommendation: Download the Food Monster App
12 The 5-Day Liver Detox
This is the Liver/Gallbladder flush recommended by Dr. Richard Schulze — and is the one most people should opt for. It is done in the morning on an empty stomach for 5 days.
First thing on rising, drink 8 oz of pure water to flush your digestive tract.
An hour later, in a blender, mix up 8 oz of any fresh squeezed citrus juice (fresh squeezed apple juice or grape juice with all the sediment will work too), one lemon, 1 clove of garlic (increase by 1 clove each day), 1 tbs. of olive oil (increase by 1 tbs each day), and a piece of ginger (about 1″ long) along with 8 oz of pure water
Drink it down and follow with a fresh juice chaser to clear your mouth.
Fifteen minutes after consuming this drink, follow with 2 cups of the liver/detox tea. It is also important to take 2 droppersful of the liver/detox tincture 3-6 times a day while on the 5-day cleanse — and continuing after until the bottle is gone.
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Ten signals your liver needs to detox. Did you know that besides your heart, your liver is probably the hardest working organ in your body?
