If you open any health magazine there is almost a guarantee of reading an advertisement of a product promising to help detox your body. Good news for both your wallet and your health is there is no need to linger on this page, feel free to continue flipping. Your body has many systems used to detox any potential toxins in your body including skin, lungs and liver. Your regular lifestyle choices make a huge impact to the function of these organs. Are you aware of ways you are helping or harming your detox system, specifically the function of liver?
Alcohol is not a friend
Every time you drink alcohol there are cells in your liver which die. The good news is the liver is very capable of regenerating new cells, however over time and with chronic drinking the ability of your liver to regenerate new cell decreases. If you drink over the recommended 2 standard drinks a day, even just over a few days, may lead to fat storage or fatty liver. There is good news as two weeks abstinence can reverse this damage in most early cases of alcoholic fatty liver disease. If you are a heavy drinker for many years, the news is not so good and fatty liver disease can progress to irreversible damage. Try limiting your alcohol to no more than 2 standard drinks a day with at least 1 or 2 days off a week to help the largest organ in your body function.
Eat to Promote Liver Health
Eating a well-balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains is a given win for every organ in your body. There are specific foods which may help your liver work even better and can easily be added to your weekly diet:
Onions and garlic
Not just a delicious dup to include to any pasta sauce but these vegetables contain sulphur compounds called ally sulphides. These help your liver by making the first stage of detoxification known as phase 1 reactions work more effectively.
Artichokes
Your liver produces a substance called bile which is needed to help remove toxins and carry them to the colon to be removed in the normal way. By adding artichokes to your diet, you are increasing the rate of bile being produced by the liver which helps it to do its job! Artichokes taste fantastic when grilled with a dash of extra virgin olive oil. You may even like to add some crushed garlic and slices on the side to triple the benefit to your liver.
Oats and flaxseeds
Oats and flaxseeds contain both soluble and insoluble fibre. The insoluble fibre helps keep the movement in your guts regular and prevents any build-up of toxins which the soluble fibre helps bind the bile which have the toxins present within them and drag them out of you body! Try oats with a teaspoon of flaxseeds and some milk with a banana for a delicious and wholesome breakfast combination!
Beets
Your liver goes through a second phase of detox reactions known as phase II reactions. The red and yellow colours in beets are caused by a pigment called betalanins. These betalanins make sure your liver can effectively go through phase II. Try adding some beets to a summer salad including lettuce, goats’ cheese, walnuts, beets with a dash of extra virgin olive oil.
Cruciferous vegetables and wasabi
Broccoli, cauliflower, are all vegetables which help stimulate protective enzymes which assist the effectiveness of the phase II reaction in your liver. Why not add this combo together to add some spice to your meal and some love to your liver!
Citrus oil
A delicious inclusion on any salad and fish, citrus oil contains D-limonene which helps start both phase I and phase II reactions in your liver.
Green tea
To complete any liver loving meal try adding a cup of green tea which contains flavonoids increase phase II in your liver.
Take home message: Save your money and health and take on board these simple inclusions to your diet. Remember to limit the strain of alcohol on your liver and help the largest organ in your body to function optimally for life!
