Love your Liver. Detox!
Why detox?
Processed foods, chemicals sprayed on fruits and vegetables, too much animal protein (and that includes casein found in dairy), hormones injected into meat, genetically modified foods, large amounts of sugar found in your food and drink, alcohol, vaccines, pain killers – the list is endless! All of these are toxic to your body and could lead to a number of complications if you don’t keep them under control. And if that isn't enough, your body also produces toxins when it breaks down fat and protein as part of a natural process. So this why you should detox!
You body, however, does do its best to get rid of as many toxins as it can, but it often struggles to get rid of them all. Moreover, as we get older our bodies can get a toxin overload. This is why is important to give your body that extra help.
Toxins are stored in your main organs, such as the liver and stomach. Detoxing will make you feel energised and, most importantly, it will help to strengthen your immune system. A healthy immune system is the key to health and can strongly reduce your chances of getting ill.
Toxins can not only affect you physically but also mentally. Detoxing may help you if you have trouble focusing at work or on your studies. I can also help if you have trouble sleeping or suffer from chronic fatigue. It could also make a difference to how you feel emotionally.
How often should you detox?
Well there are many schools of thought as you can imagine but erring on the side of moderation, I would say anything between 4 to 6 times a year; the latter if you are the sort who likes to have a few drinks, eats fatty or sugary foods, has a high animal protein diet and is “allergic” to eating fruit and vegetables every day.
Your amazing liver
Different toxins are removed from our body through the lungs (gases), skin, kidneys and liver.
Every organ has an important role to play and it is hard to say that one is more important than the other but when it comes to detoxing, your liver comes first.
Everything you put into your body has an effect on your liver. It cleans your blood by removing toxic substances through a sieve like process. It converts some toxins in to less harmful ones and gets rids of others which are either carried by bile into the intestine and out of the body when you poo, or straight through your kidneys and come out in your urine.
Your liver not only cleans your blood but it also creates bile which has two functions:
Your liver also stores Glycogen. When you eat carbohydrates you body breaks these down into a type of sugar called glucose, which is the main source of fuel for our cells. Some of this glucose is stored in the liver and here it is called called glycogen. Think of Glycogen as your reserve fuel. If you haven’t eaten in a while and need energy, the liver will break down the stored glycogen back into glucose and send it into the bloodstream.
Your liver also produces cholesterol, which contrary to what you might think, actually plays a very important role in maintaining good health. Cholesterol is responsible for many functions within your cell membranes, produces steroid hormones (like oestrogen and progesterone), and without cholesterol your brain will not function well.
Your liver prevents you from bleeding too much when you cut yourself. It makes proteins that help clot your blood.
Keeping your liver healthy will improve its function and help you to manage your weight. An unhealthy liver will cause your body to store water causing water retention and hold on to fat to store any extra toxins it cannot cope with.
So an unhealthy liver could result in fatigue, obesity and illness!
How should you detox?
There are loads of detox diets out there but you need to be sensible when choosing one. If you love your food don’t go for an all juice or all smoothie detox to start with because you are likely to lose your will power and end up eating something bad. If it’s your first time trying a detox diet, do a three day detox, rather than a full week. Try a five day one on your second round. Of course, if you have the determination then go for it! But remember whatever detox diet you decide to do, be prepared. Buy all the food required in your detox ahead of time and get rid of any temptations – chocolate, bread, pasta, cheese, biscuits etc.
How many days should you detox for?
The answer to this can depend on a number of different factors. What type of detox diet are you doing? Do you have an active lifestyle? Do you do intensive exercise or sports? Are you suffering from any illness/condition?
It is important to remember that no matter how important detoxing is to your body, not giving your body sufficient nutrients can cause your body harm so choosing the correct detox and for the right amount of time is very important.
Keeping your liver healthy all year round
Don’t think you can get away with eating rubbish all year round and then think that detoxing four times a year is going to keep you healthy. It will help, but you have to do some work throughout the year.
In today’s world, with all the toxins around, your liver is fighting a tough battle. Keep off the processed foods, like bread and pasta, as much as possible. Stay away from high glycemic foods such as products made with refined flour, refined sugar, white rice. Avoid sugar as much as you can. It is in nearly every packaged or tinned food/drink product you buy. And if it doesn't have sugar, it probably has sweetener which is even worse! Know your E numbers - stay away from food with harmful preservatives and colours. Always read the labels! Eat fresh. Eat more vegetables, nuts and fruit, brown rice and natural healthy grains. Make more smoothies and drink lots of water and avoid as much as possible sugary drinks and alcohol.
Good luck!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References and suggested reading
The China Study - by T. Colin Campbell (Book)
https://www.cancertutor.com/china-study/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/18969-benefits-detoxing-body/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/05/23/should-you-detox-to-get-rid-of-chemicals.aspx
http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2009/05/detoxing_to_get_rid_of_chemica.html
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/30/cholesterol-levels.aspx
http://www.wellnessresources.com/studies/carbohydrate_restriction_improves_fatty_liver
Processed foods, chemicals sprayed on fruits and vegetables, too much animal protein (and that includes casein found in dairy), hormones injected into meat, genetically modified foods, large amounts of sugar found in your food and drink, alcohol, vaccines, pain killers – the list is endless! All of these are toxic to your body and could lead to a number of complications if you don’t keep them under control. And if that isn't enough, your body also produces toxins when it breaks down fat and protein as part of a natural process. So this why you should detox!
You body, however, does do its best to get rid of as many toxins as it can, but it often struggles to get rid of them all. Moreover, as we get older our bodies can get a toxin overload. This is why is important to give your body that extra help.
Toxins are stored in your main organs, such as the liver and stomach. Detoxing will make you feel energised and, most importantly, it will help to strengthen your immune system. A healthy immune system is the key to health and can strongly reduce your chances of getting ill.
Toxins can not only affect you physically but also mentally. Detoxing may help you if you have trouble focusing at work or on your studies. I can also help if you have trouble sleeping or suffer from chronic fatigue. It could also make a difference to how you feel emotionally.
How often should you detox?
Well there are many schools of thought as you can imagine but erring on the side of moderation, I would say anything between 4 to 6 times a year; the latter if you are the sort who likes to have a few drinks, eats fatty or sugary foods, has a high animal protein diet and is “allergic” to eating fruit and vegetables every day.
Your amazing liver
Different toxins are removed from our body through the lungs (gases), skin, kidneys and liver.
Every organ has an important role to play and it is hard to say that one is more important than the other but when it comes to detoxing, your liver comes first.
Everything you put into your body has an effect on your liver. It cleans your blood by removing toxic substances through a sieve like process. It converts some toxins in to less harmful ones and gets rids of others which are either carried by bile into the intestine and out of the body when you poo, or straight through your kidneys and come out in your urine.
Your liver not only cleans your blood but it also creates bile which has two functions:
- To carry toxins to your large intestine
- To help the body absorb fat
Your liver also stores Glycogen. When you eat carbohydrates you body breaks these down into a type of sugar called glucose, which is the main source of fuel for our cells. Some of this glucose is stored in the liver and here it is called called glycogen. Think of Glycogen as your reserve fuel. If you haven’t eaten in a while and need energy, the liver will break down the stored glycogen back into glucose and send it into the bloodstream.
Your liver also produces cholesterol, which contrary to what you might think, actually plays a very important role in maintaining good health. Cholesterol is responsible for many functions within your cell membranes, produces steroid hormones (like oestrogen and progesterone), and without cholesterol your brain will not function well.
Your liver prevents you from bleeding too much when you cut yourself. It makes proteins that help clot your blood.
Keeping your liver healthy will improve its function and help you to manage your weight. An unhealthy liver will cause your body to store water causing water retention and hold on to fat to store any extra toxins it cannot cope with.
So an unhealthy liver could result in fatigue, obesity and illness!
How should you detox?
There are loads of detox diets out there but you need to be sensible when choosing one. If you love your food don’t go for an all juice or all smoothie detox to start with because you are likely to lose your will power and end up eating something bad. If it’s your first time trying a detox diet, do a three day detox, rather than a full week. Try a five day one on your second round. Of course, if you have the determination then go for it! But remember whatever detox diet you decide to do, be prepared. Buy all the food required in your detox ahead of time and get rid of any temptations – chocolate, bread, pasta, cheese, biscuits etc.
How many days should you detox for?
The answer to this can depend on a number of different factors. What type of detox diet are you doing? Do you have an active lifestyle? Do you do intensive exercise or sports? Are you suffering from any illness/condition?
It is important to remember that no matter how important detoxing is to your body, not giving your body sufficient nutrients can cause your body harm so choosing the correct detox and for the right amount of time is very important.
Keeping your liver healthy all year round
Don’t think you can get away with eating rubbish all year round and then think that detoxing four times a year is going to keep you healthy. It will help, but you have to do some work throughout the year.
In today’s world, with all the toxins around, your liver is fighting a tough battle. Keep off the processed foods, like bread and pasta, as much as possible. Stay away from high glycemic foods such as products made with refined flour, refined sugar, white rice. Avoid sugar as much as you can. It is in nearly every packaged or tinned food/drink product you buy. And if it doesn't have sugar, it probably has sweetener which is even worse! Know your E numbers - stay away from food with harmful preservatives and colours. Always read the labels! Eat fresh. Eat more vegetables, nuts and fruit, brown rice and natural healthy grains. Make more smoothies and drink lots of water and avoid as much as possible sugary drinks and alcohol.
Good luck!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References and suggested reading
The China Study - by T. Colin Campbell (Book)
https://www.cancertutor.com/china-study/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/18969-benefits-detoxing-body/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/05/23/should-you-detox-to-get-rid-of-chemicals.aspx
http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2009/05/detoxing_to_get_rid_of_chemica.html
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/30/cholesterol-levels.aspx
http://www.wellnessresources.com/studies/carbohydrate_restriction_improves_fatty_liver