Detox

“Detox” has become a buzz word today - but what exactly does it mean?

Our bodies are exposed to hundreds of toxins every day, ranging from environmental pollution to cigarette smoke, alcohol and caffeine; pesticides, preservatives, chemical additives and food-borne bacteria. Now more than ever, toxins are an unavoidable part of modern life. 

These toxins enter the bloodstream and can have disastrous health effects if not eliminated.

Whilst the lungs and skin play a role in filtering some toxins, by far the most important organ in the body’s detoxification process is the liver.

The liver has been called the “chemical factory” of the body, and is truly a remarkable organ. Every minute, almost 3 litres of blood passes through the liver to be “cleaned”. When functioning normally, the liver clears 99% of bacteria and other toxins from our blood before it re-enters the bloodstream.

However the liver can become overloaded - particularly when our lifestyle becomes too unhealthy - and cannot do its job as efficiently.

Do I need a Liver Detox?

You may be a candidate for detox if you are experiencing some of the following symptoms.

• Unexplained fatigue
• Allergies and low-grade infections
• Distended stomach, flatulence
• Mental confusion
• Nausea
• Headaches, migraines
• Constipation and digestive difficulties
• Bags under the eyes
• Irritated skin

Natural Liver Cleansing

Fortunately, the liver is a highly regenerative organ, especially when we give it some help.

Here are a few nutritional Do’s and Don’ts.¹

• Cut down on alcohol. Alcohol is a direct liver toxin, and having a break could be the best thing you do for your liver.
• Reduce consumption of caffeine, sugary foods, saturated fats and products made from processed white flour.
• Include lots of fresh vegetables in your diet, particularly cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage, which are good for the liver. “Green foods” such as seaweed, spinach, spirulina and wheatgrass are also liver-friendly.
• Vitamin C-rich foods boost antioxidant levels, to protect the liver and help the body’s healing processes. These foods include citrus fruit, strawberries, red capsicum, dark green vegetables and kiwi fruit.
• Reduce saturated fats – they’re harder for the liver to process.
• Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), provide an excellent source of Omega 3’s which help combat inflammation, a side effect of some liver conditions.
• Snack on nuts and seeds. Brazil nuts are a good source of selenium, a powerful antioxidant. Almonds, sunflower or pumpkin seeds are another nutritious choice.

Liver Friendly Herbs

Herbal supplements can greatly aid and speed up the detoxification process.

Milk Thistle
More than 300 clinical and laboratory studies have shown that Milk Thistle can produce both a protective and curative effect on liver damage resulting from highly toxic compounds. 

Research has uncovered a host of antihepatotoxic (liver protectant) compounds in Milk Thistle. The active ingredient of Milk Thistle is silymarin, the principal component of which is silybin.

Silymarin and silybin help protect liver cells by producing a powerful antioxidant called glutathione, which is 10 times more potent than vitamin E.² Studies have shown silymarin can raise glutathione levels in the liver by up to 50%.^3,4

Silymarin also offers protection against toxins such as drugs and alcohol. Studies suggest it does this not only by preventing the action of toxic substances,^5-7 but also stimulating protein synthesis to regenerate liver cells.^8-10