“Detox” diets and other herbal cleanses have risen in popularity these days, because more and more people are worrying about the negative effects of pollution, stress, chemicals or preservatives in food. A natural detox diet is favored by many, because it removes toxins and chemicals from the body.
Let's discuss what a liver cleanse is, and find out if it is truly effective in flushing out toxins from the body.
What's The Idea Behind A Liver Cleanse?
The main idea for liver cleanses and detox diets mainly comes from the concern that our body is constantly bombarded with harmful chemicals and pollutants. The toxins could emanate from pesticides, smog, medications, artificial sweeteners and preservatives, sugar, impure water, colas, alcoholic beverages and others. Detox advocates believe that the body stores these toxins in the lymph nodes, digestive tract, gastrointestinal system, skin and hair. (Source: WebMD.com)
Let's discuss what a liver cleanse is, and find out if it is truly effective in flushing out toxins from the body.
What's The Idea Behind A Liver Cleanse?
The main idea for liver cleanses and detox diets mainly comes from the concern that our body is constantly bombarded with harmful chemicals and pollutants. The toxins could emanate from pesticides, smog, medications, artificial sweeteners and preservatives, sugar, impure water, colas, alcoholic beverages and others. Detox advocates believe that the body stores these toxins in the lymph nodes, digestive tract, gastrointestinal system, skin and hair. (Source: WebMD.com)
What Are Detox Diets?
Detox diets (and liver cleanses) are designed to help rid the body of harmful chemicals and toxins. To do this, the person temporarily stops eating certain types of food, and the process is called fasting or purging. Afterward, the individual gradually reintroduces these foods into his or her body.
An example of a detox diet would be to consume food items like brown rice, fruit and steamed vegetables for four to five days. In general, natural and organic food items are required on a natural detox diet. This means that the person should avoid consuming alcohol, tobacco, processed or refined foods, certain supplements and medications, as well as illegal drugs. (Source:livestrong.com)
Saunas and exercises can also be paired with detox diets, as part of a healthy lifestyle routine. Others also perform what's called colon “irrigation”, which involves using an enema, or having a trained practitioner to cleanse the colon by using up to 20 gallons of water through a tube that's inserted into the rectum. Examples of popular detox diets today include the Fat Flush Cleanse, Lemonade Diet, master Cleanse, Martha's Vineyard Diet, Raw Food Diet and the Liver cleansing Diet.
What Are The Suggested Herbs, Fruits & Veggies Used in Liver Cleanses?
Although the choice of herbal ingredients and concoctions to be used for a liver cleanse will depend on the individual, and their health care practitioner, among the most popular natural ingredients includes garlic, grapefruit, green tea, green vegetables, avocados,walnuts and turmeric. Garlic contains a wide array of compounds that activate liver enzymes. Grapefruit is also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, along with a compound called naringenin, which causes the liver to burn fat, rather than store it. (Source: Natural News)
Green tea is also full of catechins, which are antioxidants that help eliminate liver fat accumulation. Leafy green vegetables like dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens, chicory and bitter gourd also contain ,minerals and cleansing compounds that neutralize toxins and chemicals in the liver. Turmeric is one of the most powerful antioxidants for protecting the liver against toxic damage.
The liver is a very hardworking organ, as it produces bile, filters harmful chemicals from the blood, and absorbs essential minerals and nutrients. Without a properly-functioning liver, the body will be unable to cleanse itself, and absorb the required vitamins and minerals.
Photo credit:
Idrose/Flickr
Although the choice of herbal ingredients and concoctions to be used for a liver cleanse will depend on the individual, and their health care practitioner, among the most popular natural ingredients includes garlic, grapefruit, green tea, green vegetables, avocados,walnuts and turmeric. Garlic contains a wide array of compounds that activate liver enzymes. Grapefruit is also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, along with a compound called naringenin, which causes the liver to burn fat, rather than store it. (Source: Natural News)
Green tea is also full of catechins, which are antioxidants that help eliminate liver fat accumulation. Leafy green vegetables like dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens, chicory and bitter gourd also contain ,minerals and cleansing compounds that neutralize toxins and chemicals in the liver. Turmeric is one of the most powerful antioxidants for protecting the liver against toxic damage.
The liver is a very hardworking organ, as it produces bile, filters harmful chemicals from the blood, and absorbs essential minerals and nutrients. Without a properly-functioning liver, the body will be unable to cleanse itself, and absorb the required vitamins and minerals.
Photo credit:
Idrose/Flickr