Did you know that the liver is the body’s largest gland and the most important organ after the heart? It performs more than 100 different functions but its main functions are metabolism regulation, bile production and blood purification. Many of the chronic diseases nowadays are due to grossly overburdened livers and so they can benefit markedly from detoxification.

According to the Chinese medicine, the liver and kidneys are the organs which age us. Without efficient liver and healthy kidneys, blood is not filtered clean. Dirty blood, loaded with toxins and waste products is heavier and more sluggish. This causes poor circulation and reduced capacity to carry oxygen and nutrients resulting in undernourished tissue organs and cells and inevitable cell aging.This is especially true for the eye and brain cells. Research has shown that liver and kidney malfunction is one of the main causes leading to Alzheimer’s disease.

In this chemical age, we are exposed to thousands of chemicals every day. Chemicals come from pesticide sprayed, antibiotic and hormone laden foods, food additives such as colors and flavorings, preservatives, genetically engineered foods and unclean drinking water. We are also exposed to toxins from the air, smoking, alcohol, medications, stress, house cleaning products and personal care products. Our poor liver has to detoxify all these toxic chemicals as well as the toxic by-products of metabolism that are normally produced inside the body.

Liver detoxification is a complex two-phase process that involves a series of chemical reactions. These chemical reactions require specific essential nutrients such as B vitamins and folic acid, sulphur and antioxidants such as beta carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C and selenium. Through the detoxification process, toxins are converted into water soluble molecules that can then be excreted through the colon, kidneys or skin.

Here is my top 5 holistic nutrition tips to support liver detoxification

1-Warm Lemon Water – Warm lemon water is a great way to gently support liver detoxification on a daily basis. Just add half a squeezed lemon to a cup of pure water and drink it every morning before breakfast.

2-Cruciferous vegetables-This awesome group of veggies include cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and arugula. These veggies are rich in sulforaphane and indole 3 carbinol (I3C) which support liver detoxification.

3-Carotenoid rich vegetables-These include green leafy vegetables as well as brightly colored veggies such as carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, beets, squashes, pumpkin and tomatoes. Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that are needed for liver detoxification and for protecting healthy cells from free radical damage.

4-Turmeric-contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound with anti-oxidant and anti-tumor effects. In addition, it increases natural bile production and aids in keeping the body toxin-free.

5-Consider a yearly holistic cleanse –Even if you are eating a high quality nutrient rich diet, considering a yearly detox to cleanse your body and support your liver can be one of the best health insurance policies for long-lasting, vibrant health.

Your liver is your gateway to health and vitality so be kind to it by avoiding toxins in food, water, air, personal care products and toxic emotions as much as possible and by nourishing it with the essential nutrients it needs to function optimally.

As a holistic nutritionist in Oakville, I highly recommend a professionally supervised liver detoxification program because it’s essential to clear the other detox organs (colon, kidneys, skin and lymphatic system) to ensure proper elimination of toxic waste products which are released by the liver and avoid auto-intoxication by these toxins.

A holistic nutrition approach to liver detoxification involves not only a nutrient rich alkalizing diet but also herbal support and lifestyle changes.

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