Your liver is an uncelebrated hero that fulfills over 500 functions each day without any complaints. It is kind of like your old school custodian. If the custodian stops clearing out the trash, building or repairing furniture, storing supplies and handing them out, your school would not last long.
In the same way, a healthy liver is vital for a healthy body so much that without a healthy liver your body succumbs to chronic diseases. So, what can you do to keep your liver healthy? In this article know all about the liver detox and diet that supports detoxification.
The Role of the Liver as the Detoxifier
The liver plays the role of a detoxifier. It removes all the toxins from the body and helps in absorption of essential nutrients needed by the body. The Liver encourages to purge the old fat deposits, cholesterol deposits, gallstones, poisons, toxins, drug residues.
Keeping the liver healthy by naturally aiding it to perform its function will make a big difference to your overall health. If the liver is functioning efficiently no form of cell degeneration can occur and no diseases can develop in the body. An unhealthy liver is the prime root cause of most health issues.
By doing a liver detox you can aid weight loss, conquer diabetes, improve digestion, prevent cancer and remove all the build-up toxins from your body.
Why is a Liver Detox Essential for your Wellbeing?
In the present times, the exposure to the environment has increased because of increased pollution and high use of pesticides and chemicals in food. From carcinogens that cause cancer, harmful chemicals in cosmetics, environmental pollution to pesticides used in the food we eat, there are many hidden ways on how these environmental poisons can enter your body.
When such toxins enter your body, they are directly sent to the liver. The liver then screens it and identifies as a toxin and wraps it in along with the fat in the form of triglyceride storages. When you do a detox, this fat storage gets released and so do the toxins. They again come back to the liver and now your liver converts these toxins to a water-soluble state and flushed out of the system. So, in order to get rid of free radicals and toxins in our body, liver detox is essential.
The Phases of Liver Detox
A liver detox program is generally divided into phases and when you give the liver the right it can function optimally and eliminate all the toxins out of your body:
Phase 1
This phase is all about oxidation of harmful toxins. In this stage, the liver takes the fat-soluble toxins and converts them into the metabolite. These metabolites are free radicals that are highly volatile and more toxic. It’s just like cleaning out a garage when the initial stage starts out messier. In the first phase the liver produces more toxins and so it needs free radical scavengers called anti-oxidants.
Phase 2
Phase 2 is all about conjugation process. Your liver takes the highly toxic metabolites and combines it with amino acids to make them water-soluble toxins for release. Also, sulfur from cruciferous vegetables, Vitamin B12 and Molybdenum is used for this process. , Now, these toxins are in a state which can be easily released from the body. Liver detoxication issues lie mostly with phase 2 because if this is not done right, your toxins will still be floating around in the body itself.
Phase 3
This happens in conjunction with Phase 2 and is called the transport phase. This is where elimination of toxins takes place. The water-soluble toxins are dispelled from the body through urine, sweat, and stools.
Support your Liver Detoxification Efforts
Add more Anti-Oxidants
Anti-oxidants are necessary for the liver to hunt the free radicals. You must include the most potent antioxidants, beta-carotene found in green and orange vegetables like barley, carrot, herbs. Also, include Vitamin C antioxidants rich in bioflavonoids to kill toxins. Vitamin E a fat-soluble vitamin is also a powerful antioxidant. To get your daily dose of Vitamin E to include nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, chia, and pumpkin.
Drop The Carbohydrates
For a healthy liver, it is better to reduce the consumption of refined carbohydrates and sugar. These carbs get instantaneously converted in sugar and stored in the liver as fats. The continuous consumption of carbohydrates does not give chance to the liver to release its stored sugar and fats. Also, remember that most of the toxins cling on to fat. When you starve your body off carbs, the glucose stored in the form of fat is utilized by the liver to provide energy. When those fat cells release, so do the toxins.
Consume a High Fibre, Moderate Proteins, and Healthy Fat Diet
In phase 2 the liver needs amino acids to convert the toxins to a water-soluble state. So, it is essential to include a generous amount of proteins in your diet. Also, fiber will help to clean your bowels and there is no need to ignore healthy fats as they are also vital for healthy function of your body.
Drink More Water
Typical liver detox programmes include herbal teas, natural beta-carotene juices, and protein drinks. It is crucial to keep yourself hydrated so that you are able to flush out the toxins from the body. Sip water throughout the day and consume in between your meals more.
Include Liver-Friendly Herbs
Support your body’s detoxification efforts by including herbs like organic turmeric, milk thistle, dandelion root, peppermint, boroturu bark, chicory root, licorice, Artichoke. Be sure to include spices in your food ranging from ginger, garlic, cinnamon, and cumin.
Your liver is an extremely powerful part of your body. It has the ability to transform environmental toxins into harmless byproducts. If your liver is too overwhelmed with toxins or if it does not receive the right nutrients to process toxins, it can give rise to all sorts of ailments. This is where a detox and a healthy diet comes in handy. Promote your wellbeing by supporting the liver to function optimally and remove toxins.