Liver Cleanse - How To Cleanse Your Liver+Liver Detox Drink
Modern society is a sad state that produces many over-processed livers. When we overeat or eat processed or fried foods, or anytime we are exposed to environmental pollutants or stress, the liver becomes overworked and overloaded. When the liver is taxed, it can’t process toxins and fat in an efficient way. There are many foods that can help cleanse the liver naturally by stimulating its natural ability to expel toxic waste from the body.
What Are Toxins?
Toxins are anything that can potentially harm body tissue. Toxins can originate inside or outside the human body:
Exogenous Toxins
Originating from outside the body, these are what most people imagine when discussing toxins. Exogenous toxins can enter our bodies via food, air and water. Some examples of exogenous toxins include chemicals in processed foods, air pollutants, alcoholic beverages, pesticides and medications.
Endogenous Toxins
Originating from inside the body, endogenous toxins are a normal byproduct of cellular metabolism. Sometimes referred to as metabolic waste, endogenous toxins include lactic acid, urea, ammonia, homocysteines, carbon dioxide, yeast and bacteria.
Signs that you may be harboring excessive toxin levels in your body are indigestion, poor concentration, sluggishness, headaches, bad breath, fatigue, poor skin and muscle pain.
Normal Toxin Removal
The liver, bile, digestive, urinary, respiratory, skin, blood and lymphatic systems work together to ensure that toxins are transformed and eliminated. Although each of these organs and systems are crucial to living healthfully, the liver, bile and intestines tend to shoulder the bulk of detoxifying our bodies – with the liver and bile primarily responsible for cleansing the blood of impurities and the intestines primarily responsible for eliminating solid waste.
Follow these six steps to help boost your health and vitality:
Remove toxic foods from your diet.
Drink raw vegetable juice.
Load up on potassium-rich foods.
Do a coffee enema.
Take milk thistle, dandelion and turmeric supplements.
Eat liver or take beef liver tablets.
1. Garlic
Just a small amount of this pungent white bulb has the ability to activate liver enzymes that help your body flush out toxins. Garlic also holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing.
2. Grapefruit
High in both vitamin C and antioxidants, citrus fruits like grapefruit, oranges, limes, and lemons support the natural cleansing abilities of the liver.Have a small glass of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice to boost production of the liver detoxification enzymes that help flush out carcinogens and other toxins.
3. Beets and Carrots
Both are extremely high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene; eating beets and carrots can stimulate and support overall liver function.
4. Green Tea
This liver-loving beverage is full of plant-based antioxidants known as catechins—compounds known to assist liver function.Green tea is a delicious, healthy addition to any diet. Just remember that green tea offers the benefits, not green tea extract. Some research suggests green tea extract may actually have a negative effect on liver health. Keep it simple and stick to the beverage to enjoy the benefits of green tea.
5. Leafy Green Vegetables
One of our most powerful allies in cleansing the liver, leafy greens can be eaten raw, cooked, or juiced. Extremely high in chlorophyll, greens soak up environmental toxins from the blood stream.[6] With their distinct ability to neutralize heavy metals, chemicals, and pesticides, these cleansing foods offer a powerful protective mechanism for the liver.
Incorporate leafy greens such as bitter gourd, arugula, dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens, and chicory into your diet. This will increase creation and flow of bile—the substance that removes waste from the organs and blood.
6. Avocados
This nutrient-dense superfood helps the body produce glutathione, a compound that is necessary for the liver to cleanse harmful toxins.
7. Apples
High in pectin, apples hold the chemical constituents necessary for the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. This, in turn, makes it easier for the liver to handle the toxic load during the cleansing process.
8. Olive Oil
Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp, and flaxseed are great for the liver when used in moderation. They help the body by providing a lipid base that can absorb harmful toxins in the body. In this way, they take some of the burden off the liver.
9. Alternative Grains
If your diet includes wheat, flour, or other standard grains, it’s time to make changes. And alternative grains like quinoa, millet, and buckwheat can help. Your liver is your body’s filter for toxins, and if you have certain sensitivities, grains that contain gluten only add to them. One study found that persons who experienced sensitivity to gluten also experienced abnormal liver enzyme test results.
10. Cruciferous Vegetables
Broccoli and cauliflower are good sources of glucosinolate, which supports enzyme production in the liver. These natural enzymes flush carcinogens and other toxins from the body, and may significantly lower risks associated with cancer.
11. Lemons and Limes
These citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which aids the body in synthesizing toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water. Drinking freshly-squeezed lemon or lime juice in the morning can stimulate the liver.
12. Walnuts
High in the amino acid arginine, walnuts support the liver in detoxifying ammonia. Walnuts are also high in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids,which support normal liver cleansing. Make sure you chew the nuts until they are liquefied before swallowing.
13. Cabbage
Much like broccoli and cauliflower, eating cabbage stimulates liver detoxifying enzymes that help flush out toxins. Kimchi, coleslaw, cabbage soup, and sauerkraut are great cabbage-foods to add to your diet.
14. Turmeric
Turmeric is the liver’s favorite spice. Try adding some of this detoxifying goodness into your next lentil stew or veggie dish for an instant liver pick-me-up. Turmeric helps boost liver detoxification by assisting enzymes that actively flush out dietary toxins.
This golden spice tastes great in all kinds of dishes, but you can further boost your intake with a turmeric supplement. A word of warning; turmeric supplements are somewhat notorious for low-quality ingredients and even outright dangerous contamination. Only buy the highest quality turmeric from the most reputable sources. I encourage you to try Global Healing Center’s own Turmeric supplement. This premium liquid supplement contains potent antioxidants and is sourced only from organic Curcuma longa root.
In addition to the healthy foods and supplements mentioned above, you can give your liver a boost by starting with a quick, 24-hour cleanse. In the seven days prior to this short cleanse, eat kale, cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, asparagus, beets and celery. Avoid any processed foods, and eat free-range organic meats, refined carbohydrates and gluten sparingly. This preparation will help facilitate the cleanse.
During the week you are preparing your body, try Secret Detox Drink. It boosts your energy and helps you to detox and cleanse the liver. This recipe calls for apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and water.
Then, during the week of your cleanse try this liver detox drink. This recipe will help support your body while cleansing:
Liver Detox Drink
Dilute cranberry juice with a ratio of 3 parts water to 1 part cranberry juice.
Add 1/4 teaspoon each of nutmeg and ginger and a 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon into a tea infuser and let steep in simmering water for 20 minutes.
Allow to cool to room temperature.
Add the juice of 3 oranges and 3 lemons and stir. If the mixture is too tart, sweeten with your favorite all-natural sweetener.
Sip throughout the day.
You should consume a minimum of 72 ounces of this mixture and 72 ounces of water. After one day of the cranberry juice blend, reintroduce the foods you ate in preparation for the cleanse.
What Are Toxins?
Toxins are anything that can potentially harm body tissue. Toxins can originate inside or outside the human body:
Exogenous Toxins
Originating from outside the body, these are what most people imagine when discussing toxins. Exogenous toxins can enter our bodies via food, air and water. Some examples of exogenous toxins include chemicals in processed foods, air pollutants, alcoholic beverages, pesticides and medications.
Endogenous Toxins
Originating from inside the body, endogenous toxins are a normal byproduct of cellular metabolism. Sometimes referred to as metabolic waste, endogenous toxins include lactic acid, urea, ammonia, homocysteines, carbon dioxide, yeast and bacteria.
Signs that you may be harboring excessive toxin levels in your body are indigestion, poor concentration, sluggishness, headaches, bad breath, fatigue, poor skin and muscle pain.
Normal Toxin Removal
The liver, bile, digestive, urinary, respiratory, skin, blood and lymphatic systems work together to ensure that toxins are transformed and eliminated. Although each of these organs and systems are crucial to living healthfully, the liver, bile and intestines tend to shoulder the bulk of detoxifying our bodies – with the liver and bile primarily responsible for cleansing the blood of impurities and the intestines primarily responsible for eliminating solid waste.
6-Step Liver Cleanse
Follow these six steps to help boost your health and vitality:
Remove toxic foods from your diet.
Drink raw vegetable juice.
Load up on potassium-rich foods.
Do a coffee enema.
Take milk thistle, dandelion and turmeric supplements.
Eat liver or take beef liver tablets.
14 Foods That Cleanse the Liver
1. Garlic
Just a small amount of this pungent white bulb has the ability to activate liver enzymes that help your body flush out toxins. Garlic also holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing.
2. Grapefruit
High in both vitamin C and antioxidants, citrus fruits like grapefruit, oranges, limes, and lemons support the natural cleansing abilities of the liver.Have a small glass of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice to boost production of the liver detoxification enzymes that help flush out carcinogens and other toxins.
3. Beets and Carrots
Both are extremely high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene; eating beets and carrots can stimulate and support overall liver function.
4. Green Tea
This liver-loving beverage is full of plant-based antioxidants known as catechins—compounds known to assist liver function.Green tea is a delicious, healthy addition to any diet. Just remember that green tea offers the benefits, not green tea extract. Some research suggests green tea extract may actually have a negative effect on liver health. Keep it simple and stick to the beverage to enjoy the benefits of green tea.
5. Leafy Green Vegetables
One of our most powerful allies in cleansing the liver, leafy greens can be eaten raw, cooked, or juiced. Extremely high in chlorophyll, greens soak up environmental toxins from the blood stream.[6] With their distinct ability to neutralize heavy metals, chemicals, and pesticides, these cleansing foods offer a powerful protective mechanism for the liver.
Incorporate leafy greens such as bitter gourd, arugula, dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens, and chicory into your diet. This will increase creation and flow of bile—the substance that removes waste from the organs and blood.
6. Avocados
This nutrient-dense superfood helps the body produce glutathione, a compound that is necessary for the liver to cleanse harmful toxins.
7. Apples
High in pectin, apples hold the chemical constituents necessary for the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. This, in turn, makes it easier for the liver to handle the toxic load during the cleansing process.
8. Olive Oil
Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp, and flaxseed are great for the liver when used in moderation. They help the body by providing a lipid base that can absorb harmful toxins in the body. In this way, they take some of the burden off the liver.
9. Alternative Grains
If your diet includes wheat, flour, or other standard grains, it’s time to make changes. And alternative grains like quinoa, millet, and buckwheat can help. Your liver is your body’s filter for toxins, and if you have certain sensitivities, grains that contain gluten only add to them. One study found that persons who experienced sensitivity to gluten also experienced abnormal liver enzyme test results.
10. Cruciferous Vegetables
Broccoli and cauliflower are good sources of glucosinolate, which supports enzyme production in the liver. These natural enzymes flush carcinogens and other toxins from the body, and may significantly lower risks associated with cancer.
11. Lemons and Limes
These citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which aids the body in synthesizing toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water. Drinking freshly-squeezed lemon or lime juice in the morning can stimulate the liver.
12. Walnuts
High in the amino acid arginine, walnuts support the liver in detoxifying ammonia. Walnuts are also high in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids,which support normal liver cleansing. Make sure you chew the nuts until they are liquefied before swallowing.
13. Cabbage
Much like broccoli and cauliflower, eating cabbage stimulates liver detoxifying enzymes that help flush out toxins. Kimchi, coleslaw, cabbage soup, and sauerkraut are great cabbage-foods to add to your diet.
14. Turmeric
Turmeric is the liver’s favorite spice. Try adding some of this detoxifying goodness into your next lentil stew or veggie dish for an instant liver pick-me-up. Turmeric helps boost liver detoxification by assisting enzymes that actively flush out dietary toxins.
This golden spice tastes great in all kinds of dishes, but you can further boost your intake with a turmeric supplement. A word of warning; turmeric supplements are somewhat notorious for low-quality ingredients and even outright dangerous contamination. Only buy the highest quality turmeric from the most reputable sources. I encourage you to try Global Healing Center’s own Turmeric supplement. This premium liquid supplement contains potent antioxidants and is sourced only from organic Curcuma longa root.
A Quick-Start 24-Hour Liver Cleanse
In addition to the healthy foods and supplements mentioned above, you can give your liver a boost by starting with a quick, 24-hour cleanse. In the seven days prior to this short cleanse, eat kale, cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, asparagus, beets and celery. Avoid any processed foods, and eat free-range organic meats, refined carbohydrates and gluten sparingly. This preparation will help facilitate the cleanse.
During the week you are preparing your body, try Secret Detox Drink. It boosts your energy and helps you to detox and cleanse the liver. This recipe calls for apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and water.
Then, during the week of your cleanse try this liver detox drink. This recipe will help support your body while cleansing:
Liver Detox Drink
Dilute cranberry juice with a ratio of 3 parts water to 1 part cranberry juice.
Add 1/4 teaspoon each of nutmeg and ginger and a 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon into a tea infuser and let steep in simmering water for 20 minutes.
Allow to cool to room temperature.
Add the juice of 3 oranges and 3 lemons and stir. If the mixture is too tart, sweeten with your favorite all-natural sweetener.
Sip throughout the day.
You should consume a minimum of 72 ounces of this mixture and 72 ounces of water. After one day of the cranberry juice blend, reintroduce the foods you ate in preparation for the cleanse.