This simple guide can help detox your body, encourage optimal liver function and increase vitality.
Choose certified organic foods as they have no residual pesticides and herbicides which need to be processed by the liver, plus they contain more nutrients.
Anything green will keep your liver clean so eat plenty of plant based foods, including fruits and vegetables, particularly leafy greens and other bitter foods such as dandelion. These are key to a healthy liver.
Reduce caffeine consumption as it puts stress on your adrenal system and increases your glucose production which adds to what your liver has to process. Aim to stick to no more than one coffee a day or simply no caffeine after midday as a minimum. If you can, try to take a break from coffee for a few days every month and always avoid energy drinks.
Have alcohol free days for two to three consecutive days per week for optimal liver function. Stick to the recommended daily allowance of 100ml of alcohol per serve and a maximum of two standard drinks per day. Avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach as it is absorbed straight through the stomach’s lining.
Stay hydrated by drinking one and a half to two litres of water a day, or around eight glasses. Both our kidneys and our bowel need adequate water. Herbal teas can be included in daily water intake.
Green smoothies are a great way to increase your intake of vegetables that aid the detoxification process. Choose water, coconut water, coconut milk or almond milk as alternatives to cow’s milk. Try to use at least half a cup of anything green and leafy for maximum benefit, such as kale stalks or spinach. Spirulina or chlorophyll are also great additions.
Choose juices using mostly vegetables. We suggest no more than one to two serves of fruit and 600mls of juice per day maximum.
Antioxidants are best sourced through consuming whole, plant based foods. Not only do antioxidants have anti-ageing properties, they are also anti-inflammatory and help to combat disease. A wide range of colourful vegetables provide us with a wide range of antioxidants.
Nutrients that are key to assisting the liver’s detoxification processes and help through times of stress are B vitamins, zinc and magnesium. With the pace of our modern lifestyle, it is sometimes necessary to supplement. Make sure to choose products from a qualified practitioner.
Avoid refined sugars and foods containing trans-fatty acids. Not only do they add little in the way of nutrients, they also place additional load on the liver.
Turmeric is a great liver tonic because it is alkalising, anti-inflammatory and scientific evidence suggests that it can help protect against cancer. Add to your smoothies, stir fries and soups, or slice up and use in hot water for a homemade herbal tea option.
Regular movement will help keep your lymphatic system flowing efficiently and increase toxin elimination. Remember it’s just as important to move throughout the day as it is to do some form of exercise.
Aim for eight hours of sleep every night. Our body does so much repairing and restoring while we are asleep and we need to prioritise quality rest to help support its restoration.
Choose natural or organic skincare as everything that we put on our skin is absorbed into our bloodstream. If we’re putting chemicals on our skin, they are sent on to the liver to be processed, adding to its load. Decrease your chemical exposure by choosing natural or organic skin products. Avoid parabens, formaldehyde and synthetic fragrances in particular.
Reduce the use of plastic throughout your home, particularly in the kitchen. Opt for glass storage containers instead of plastic ones. If you do use plastic containers, always hand wash them as the plastic is likely to soften in the high temperature of a dishwasher.
Replace chemical cleaners with natural ones. Eucalyptus and tea tree oils are both naturally anti- bacterial and work wonderfully as cleaning agents. Alternatively, choose an eco product that’s based on natural ingredients instead of harmful chemicals.
Extracted from Wellness at Home, $44, available via gwinganna.com
